RN in 2 states?

chare · Jul 27, 2013

Outside of being able to only hold one compact license with multi-state privileges, you can maintain as many licenses as you wish.

In your case, if you move to NC and establish residency, your license will grant you multi-state privileges. If you hold a compact license with multi-state privileges, you will be allowed to practice in any other compact state on your NC license. However, to maintain multi-state privileges you must maintain residency in NC. As long as you maintain a compact license with multi-state privileges you will not be issued a license in another compact state.

If you leave NC, what happens to your license depends upon where you relocate to. If you relocate to another compact state, you will be allowed to work a brief period on your previous license while you apply for licensure in your new state. When you receive your new license in the new compact license your previous license will become inactive asyou can only maintain one compact license with multi-state privileges.

If you relocate to a non-compact state and update your address with the BON in the previous compact state you will be allowed to keep that license, however it will lose its multi-state privileges and become a single state license for use in the state in which it was issued.

S.G. · Jul 27, 2013

I kept my NY license for a few years after moving to NC then decided it wasn't worth the extra fees to keep it. Because I was still a resident of NY while living in NC I did not have the multistate compact license. I was issued a license for NC exclusively. Now that I am in HI, I have my Hawaiian nursing license and my NC license both active. You can maintain however many licenses you choose as long as you maintain the state requirements and are willing to pay the fees.

anothergrumpyoldRN · Jul 27, 2013

Many nurses are licensed to practice in multiple states...don't sweat it.

It just costs money to keep them active.