Smart to get licensed in compact state first?? Plz advise

[09NewGrad]

Hello everyone, I just graduated from my BSN program 2 days ago! I'm really excited right now, but I'm a little unsure of what exactly I should do next. The state I graduated in is a compact state, but the state we're moving to (Illinois) in July, is not a compact state.

My question to you guys is: should I go ahead and get licensed in my current compact state and then just attempt to transfer it to Illinois, or should I just try and get licensed in Illinois? I've heard you have to jump through lots of hoops to get licensed in non compact states. Is it hard to transfer your license from a non-compact state to a compact state?

I am stressed about this, because I can't even register for the nclex to take boards until I know which state would be best to apply to first.

[adamgvc]

Don't bother worring about compact license issues. Its probably not what you think it is. A compact license allows you to work across state lines only if you still reside in another state. For instance, if you live in Wisconsin and have a license in Wisconsin but would like to work across state lines in Iowa, you can do so without applying for a state license. However, if you have a Wisconsin license and want to relocate to Texas, you will still have to apply for a Texas license even though they both are compact states.

The nursing compact is really only valuable for those nurses who live on state borders and want to work across state lines.

I am dealing with this right now. I have a valid license in Iowa, and have a job offer in Texas. Even though both states participate in the nursing compact, I still have to apply for a license in the state of Iowa.

There is a lot of confusion about the nursing compact, and when most people find out what little value it has are deeply disappointed. So unless you plan on residing in one state and working in another, don't bother on getting a license in a compact state.

Besides, Illinois dosn't participate in the nursing compact. Find which states do at https://www.ncsbn.org/158.htm

[AndyRN]

I, too, have had the experience of relocating to Texas only to find out that my Mississippi license were only good for 30 days. VERY DISAPPOINTING, since I still have another good year to use them. I guess I was one of those few that didn't understand the "true" meaning of the Compact State Laws.

[elkpark]

I, too, have had the experience of relocating to Texas only to find out that my Mississippi license were only good for 30 days. VERY DISAPPOINTING, since I still have another good year to use them. I guess I was one of those few that didn't understand the "true" meaning of the Compact State Laws.

It's not just a "few" -- there is a lot of confusion about "compact licenses."

The easiest way to understand the NLC is to remember that it works exactly the same as our driver's licenses. The only reason we can drive cross-country without having to stop and apply for a new license at each state border is because, a long time, at the dawn of the Automobile Age, all 50 states got together and signed a compact agreeing to honor each others' licenses. The NLC is exactly the same thing, except that not all the states have chosen to sign.

We all understand that you can use your current driver's license in your home state to drive as far as you want, as long as you want, in other states -- but if you move to another state, you have 30 days (or however long the state law says) to apply for a new license in your new state. The NLC works exactly the same way -- you can use your "home" license to work in another "compact state" as long as you want -- as long as you still live in your home state. If you move to another state, even another compact state, you have to apply for a new license. Same as with driver's licenses.

[IzzyTheRN08]

I faced a similar situation when I graduated. I went to school in PA (non-compact), and accepted a job in MD (compact). So I applied for my MD RN license....Because I lived in PA, I was not issued a "compact" license, just a "Maryland only". The point is...you would have to live in the compact state for your license to be truely compact. You could get your initial license in whatever state that is, but as soon as you move to IL, you would have to update your address with the initial state, thus making your license a non-compact license. (if you live in a non-compact state and hold a license in a compact state, your license cannot be a compact license). Sorry the way I explained is prob confusing, but I would say its just worth it to get your license in the state that you know you will be working in.