Transfering License from one state to another..

BLESSEDAT30 · Apr 11, 2005

I'm almost certain I am going to go to college in PA but I live in OH. I was wondering if there was many problems transfering your license. I also wondered what the process exactly was.
Thanks!

Just contact Ohio Board of Nursing. You should be able to follow the usual process for licensure. It really does not matter that you are going to school in a different state. You or your school should be able to contact Ohio's Board of Nursing to prepare you for necessary paperwork for licensure. This needs to be done before you graduate if you would like to take NCLEX right away.

manna, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2005

So long as your school is accredited, upon taking boards you should just apply for licensure in the state in which you hope to practice.

There is a large mixture in our class of residents of two separate states (the campus is near the state line). When they graduate and take the NCLEX, they'll just apply for a license in their home state (although our two states may have reciprocity, I'm not sure). :)

GleeGum, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2005

I too am a student who plans to move to a different state. I am going to school in NY and will move to CO as soon after graduation as possible. I have been thinking I want to get my license in NY since I heard there is a lot of reciprocity, but now I am wondering if it matters. You see, I am interested in being a travel nurse evenutally and thought that NYS licensing would make things more simple. Advice?

suzanne4, RN · Sep 9, 2005

First, let me clear up a few things for you. You do not transfer your license to another state, you keep the original one, at least until it expires, it is up to you whether or not you renew it or not. Once you have the original license you can apply to other states by following what the BON lists for the application for endorsement.

Reciprocity actually no longer exists, this was when the states each had their own exam, or before the Visa Screen Certificate was required of Canadian nurses. Some states accepted their Canadian exam results and they did not need the NCLEX, but this is all changed now.

There is something called a compact state license..........this is only good if you keep your legal residence in the state where you had the license, if you move, then it is no longer valid as a compact state license, only for that specific state.

Hope that this help.s

GleeGum, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2005

Suzanne,

Thanks so much for the information!

Does the compact state license include NY and CO (I think it does not). If I move to CO soon after graduation (and get a CO license), can I still get my NYS license as well since I am going to school here?

suzanne4, RN · Sep 9, 2005

Not compact states, but you can get a license in as many states as you are willing to pay for the license for.................there are many travel nurses that hold about 15 to 20 current license, it not even more. :)

suebird3 · Sep 9, 2005

So long as your school is accredited, upon taking boards you should just apply for licensure in the state in which you hope to practice.
There is a large mixture in our class of residents of two separate states (the campus is near the state line). When they graduate and take the NCLEX, they'll just apply for a license in their home state (although our two states may have reciprocity, I'm not sure). :)

My graduating class took boards in Illinois, but one or two have gotten licensure in other states.

Just remember to keep up your original license if you plan on returning any time soon. :)

nursemomruns · Sep 9, 2005

Not compact states, but you can get a license in as many states as you are willing to pay for the license for.................there are many travel nurses that hold about 15 to 20 current license, it not even more. :)

Some states will not allow you to keep your license if you get a license in a compact state. For example, Iowa. If you have an Iowa license and move, say, to Nebraska and get a Nebraska license, you have to return your Iowa license.

"Licensees who move to another compact state and are

issued a license in the new compact state will have their

Iowa license placed inactive immediately upon issuance of

the new license. The licensee will need to forward their

Iowa license to the Iowa Board of Nursing office."