unified license without having to endorse?

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Hi everyone,

I just read an article about nursing licenses becoming "unified" so you are able to practice under one license in any state. Is there any validity to this?

If I am correct there are also states that joined with other states that will allow you to practice without obtaining a separate license for another state. Does anyone know if New Jersey is one of those states that participates?

Thanks!!!!

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

I have no knowledge of a unified nursing license; however, there are several states that are known as "compact states" where a license in one will allow you to practice in any of the other compact states. However, you must live in one of those states in order to have a compact license; otherwise, you will only be eligible for license in a single state. FAQs can be found here: https://www.ncsbn.org/2002.htm

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

NJ will not participate until all BoN require federal & state background checks with fingerprints.

There is the nursing license compact (CA, NY, NJ, PA among other states do not participate) but you must legally reside in a compact state to have multi state privileges. MD and VA are both NLC states so you can live in MD and cross over to VA and work under your MD license

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Thank you both for the information. I thought it might be too good to be true. Have a nice evening :)

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my question is, why are there compact states where I could practice in different states with license that I have from TX, but then I can't do it in other places and must obtain separate license (for ex: Cali)? I don't ever get that. Nursing here is not any different from anywhere else. I can give meds, start IV, chart (not considering different charting software), comm with pts, doctors, and any other nursing duties here and do exactly the same practically anywhere in US, so why this regulation?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

It's the educational and background checks that differ. Some states require over 1500 clinical hours whereas the next state sets a minimum of 1000. Different states have different credit distribution requirements. Some states require a refresher if you fail NCLEX 3 x; others states offer unlimited attempts. NY accepts Excelsior ASN as entry to practice , CA does not.

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