Switching career paths

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My nursing license is currently suspended. I'm in the monitoring program and I've been taking the steps to get reinstated but it's slow. I've been strongly considering real estate, actually even before any issues with my license. But the question I have is does anyone know if my nursing suspension will cause any issues with the board for real estate licensing? That's the main thing holding me back. I have no criminal history or anything else on my record but I'm worried it will put a huge kink in getting another license. Any help or advice would be very appreciated. Thanks! 

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You need to get an attorney and get a pre-license inquiry from your states Real Estate Commission (the real estate licensing board).  A pre license inquiry is a written guarantee that certain past actions will not prevent you from obtaining a license IF......IF.....IF....you fully disclose everything and tell the entire truth up front.  These exist for schools of Law where a law student or future law student may have a past criminal record, or the Medical Board for future and current Medical Students, and even Boards of Nursing do them.  You need a lawyer though because you want the guarantee in writing before you go to real estate school, and same thing for others who are in or want to go to Law School, Med School, Nursing School, PA, etc. 

A suspended nursing license, as long as you leave it suspended, should not be an issue As long as you are honest and upfront about it with the Real Estate Commission.  If the BON ever moved to Revoke your license (because you chose to leave it Suspended and after 3 or 4 years or 7 years, etc, they want to clean up their rosters, but a Revoked License could be an issue requiring further explanation, because a revoked license puts you on the OIG list.  OIG is not a huge issue for someone in real estate, but could still present some licensing issues up front.  Get an attorney and get a pre-real estate license inquiry with the Real Estate Commission which puts your mind at east and you know you can go to Real Estate School and be licensed when you pass the exam.  The inquiry is where the Board looks over your past and what happened, etc, then gives you an answer before you go to school. 

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SheelaDavis said:

You need to get an attorney and get a pre-license inquiry from your states Real Estate Commission (the real estate licensing board).  A pre license inquiry is a written guarantee that certain past actions will not prevent you from obtaining a license IF......IF.....IF....you fully disclose everything and tell the entire truth up front.  These exist for schools of Law where a law student or future law student may have a past criminal record, or the Medical Board for future and current Medical Students, and even Boards of Nursing do them.  You need a lawyer though because you want the guarantee in writing before you go to real estate school, and same thing for others who are in or want to go to Law School, Med School, Nursing School, PA, etc. 

A suspended nursing license, as long as you leave it suspended, should not be an issue As long as you are honest and upfront about it with the Real Estate Commission.  If the BON ever moved to Revoke your license (because you chose to leave it Suspended and after 3 or 4 years or 7 years, etc, they want to clean up their rosters, but a Revoked License could be an issue requiring further explanation, because a revoked license puts you on the OIG list.  OIG is not a huge issue for someone in real estate, but could still present some licensing issues up front.  Get an attorney and get a pre-real estate license inquiry with the Real Estate Commission which puts your mind at east and you know you can go to Real Estate School and be licensed when you pass the exam.  The inquiry is where the Board looks over your past and what happened, etc, then gives you an answer before you go to school. 

Thank you so much. That helped tremendously and gave me so much insight. I have been considering a lawyer for quite some time for the nursing side of things and truthfully would've already had one if finances allowed. But I will check into that for the real estate, I hadn't thought of that. Shew.. it's so difficult when it seems like the nursing issues haunt you with nearly any other career choice. But like they say, hindsight is 20/20. Thanks again! 

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Specializes in Home Health/Hospice, Public Health, Case Mgmt.

Seeing as these are two totally different licensing agencies and career paths, I wouldn't think one would really affect another in this particular situation; especially since you mentioned not having any criminal background. THAT would be the only thing that I imagine would be a potential issue. I can't imagine why a real estate licensing agency would look up your nursing license. 

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

Hi Luna 2025, I surrendered my RN license for a year, and got a masters degree in science, which I did used, the pay is not that good. Anyways, I had 4 lawyers in total, and what I learned is that if you get any other license it will affect regardless of what it is, because when you apply it will ask if you have any license revoked or suspended before. Also to get in the OIG list is usually for fraud, if you did any type of fraud to medical or, if it was a serious issue. In my case I was not placed on the OIG list. I got my license back and currently working. I did all the paperwork and represented myself to get my license back, because I was broke, if your issue is not too serious do the paperwork yourself I spend a lot of money. I learned a lot of the lawyers give you false help, then just tell you to surrender. Make sure you do your own research. 

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LMRN2003 said:

Seeing as these are two totally different licensing agencies and career paths, I wouldn't think one would really affect another in this particular situation; especially since you mentioned not having any criminal background. THAT would be the only thing that I imagine would be a potential issue. I can't imagine why a real estate licensing agency would look up your nursing license. 

A suspended license of ANY type in your state (alcohol license, concealed carry permit, construction contractor) can potentially effect all other licenses and vice versa. They don't automatically effect other licenses, but Potentially can. And yes, ALL states issuing a license (of any kind, including a driver's license) look up all licenses you have or have had in that same state and it takes about 5 seconds with 2 clicks of the mouse to do it. It's not difficult. 

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The poster above who asked the question can contact the Real Estate commission and get a pre license inquiry themselves. A lawyer would be nice and seal the deal, but the person doesn't absolutely have to have a lawyer. First step is to contact the real estate commission and ask, open a dialogue. Record the phone call or if communication is via email, save the message that says, yes, we will issue you a license. 

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