any US state that allows using a nursing license from a different state?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Aside from nursing licensure compact. Will any other state accept?

I can't get my license here in Illinois though I'm a MI nurse. What can I get in Illinois with a MI RN license? Eventually I'd be forced to move but preferably not MI again. Any states allowing?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that was the whole point of compact state agreements: THOSE states would accept licenses from another "member" state only. All other states require an endorsement to the license (another license).

Why is it you can't get an IL license? Is it something that would prevent you from getting a license in another state as well?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

All of them. Just apply to that state's BON.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Since neither Michigan nor Illinois are Compact states, the way you get an Il license is by applying to the Il Board of Nursing for an Il license by endorsement (they may call it "by reciprocity") from Michigan. This is the practice by which a BoN accepts proof of licensure (i.e., education and NCLEX pass) from another state and issues a license to practice in the new state.

This process costs money, so be prepared to pay it. You may also be asked to provide a college transcript (you pay) and fulfill other requirements such as a background check (you pay), fingerprints (you pay), or complete some CEU activity (you pay) before they will issue you an IL license. I have no idea what Il requires, but you have to call them directly to find out.

If Il doesn't accept your college then it won't matter that Michigan let you take NCLEX and gave you a license. You will have to satisfy Il requirements. I am not saying that's going to happen but you have to ask them to get the definitive answer.

Compact states:

* 24 Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) States (current)

COMPACT STATES / IMPLEMENTATION DATE

Arizona 7/1/2002

Arkansas 7/1/2000

Colorado 10/1/2007

Delaware 7/1/2000

Idaho 7/1/2001

Iowa 7/1/2000

Kentucky 6/1/2007

Maine 7/1/2001

Maryland 7/1/1999

Mississippi 7/1/2001

Missouri 6/1/2010

Nebraska 1/1/2001

New Hampshire 1/1/2006

New Mexico 1/1/2004

North Carolina 7/1/2000

North Dakota 1/1/2004

Rhode Island 7/1/2008

South Carolina 2/1/2006

South Dakota 1/1/2001

Tennessee 7/1/2003

Texas 1/1/2000

Utah 1/1/2000

Virginia 1/1/2005

Wisconsin 1/1/2000

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that was the whole point of compact state agreements: THOSE states would accept licenses from another "member" state only. All other states require an endorsement to the license (another license).
Many nurses frequently misunderstand the concept surrounding compact nursing licensure.

Let's assume you are licensed as a nurse in in Virginia, which is a compact state. Many people conclude they can legally work in all of the compact states if they are licensed in just one compact state. However, a nursing license from a compact state is similar to a driver's license in that you can legally work in another state for a maximum of 30 days. Thereafter, you must obtain a license in the state where you intend to work.

Let's assume you have a Virginia compact license, but plan to move to Texas, which is another compact state. You can legally work in Texas under your Virginia license for 30 days. After the 30 days has elapsed, you will definitely need a Texas nursing license if you wish to continue working legally in Texas.

A nursing license is similar to a driver's license. Once you have moved to Texas you can legally drive in Texas under your Virginia drivers license for 30 days, then you will need to obtain a Texas drivers license to keep driving legally in your new home state. It is the exact same concept with a nursing license that issued by a compact state.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pedi.
Aside from nursing licensure compact. Will any other state accept?

I can't get my license here in Illinois though I'm a MI nurse. What can I get in Illinois with a MI RN license? Eventually I'd be forced to move but preferably not MI again. Any states allowing?

In non-compact states you need to have a license in that state to work in it. There aren't any states that will just let you work as a nurse with your Michigan license. You need to apply for licensure by endorsement in the new state.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

If Illinois won't issue you a nursing license for whatever reason, then there's no way you can work in Illinois as a nurse.

Contact the Illinois BON if you have questions, as they're the only ones who can give you a definite answer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Many nurses frequently misunderstand the concept surrounding compact nursing licensure.

Let's assume you are licensed as a nurse in in Virginia, which is a compact state. Many people conclude they can legally work in all of the compact states if they are licensed in just one compact state. However, a nursing license from a compact state is similar to a driver's license in that you can legally work in another state for a maximum of 30 days. Thereafter, you must obtain a license in the state where you intend to work.

Let's assume you have a Virginia compact license, but plan to move to Texas, which is another compact state. You can legally work in Texas under your Virginia license for 30 days. After the 30 days has elapsed, you will definitely need a Texas nursing license if you wish to continue working legally in Texas.

A nursing license is similar to a driver's license. Once you have moved to Texas you can legally drive in Texas under your Virginia drivers license for 30 days, then you will need to obtain a Texas drivers license to keep driving legally in your new home state. It is the exact same concept with a nursing license that issued by a compact state.

Thank you for clarifying; I was on the right track, just missed the station :)

The real benefit to the compact agreement, then, is the ability to work in another compact State for up to 30 days without having that State's license in hand, correct? The rest of the rules would still apply....you'd have to go through the normal processes to GET that license/endorsement (have heard it called both, the second "thing" sometimes being called an endorsement). Is this the only actual benefit, though? Doesn't a license in one compact State make it easier to get another compact State's license? Or no?

Just my curiosity on the above; the OP's question (or problem) isn't anything to do with a compact state's rules, it's that she CAN'T get licensed in IL. Which is why I asked "why not"....OP?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
If Illinois won't issue you a nursing license for whatever reason, then there's no way you can work in Illinois as a nurse.

Actually, I may have to stand corrected. It's my understanding (and anyone who knows for certain, please validate/correct me) that you can work at any VA (Veterans' Administration, not Virginia) location as long as you have any valid nursing license--it could be from any state, just as long as it's valid.

OP: you may want to check into the VA to see if that is indeed true.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, step down, dialysis.

Thank you for clarifying; I was on the right track, just missed the station :)

The real benefit to the compact agreement, then, is the ability to work in another compact State for up to 30 days without having that State's license in hand, correct? The rest of the rules would still apply....you'd have to go through the normal processes to GET that license/endorsement (have heard it called both, the second "thing" sometimes being called an endorsement). Is this the only actual benefit, though? Doesn't a license in one compact State make it easier to get another compact State's license? Or no?

Just my curiosity on the above; the OP's question (or problem) isn't anything to do with a compact state's rules, it's that she CAN'T get licensed in IL. Which is why I asked "why not"....OP?

Probably because OP is an internationally educated nurse. May be some technicality involving that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Probably because OP is an internationally educated nurse. May be some technicality involving that.

AH, good point. Might not have graduated from an accredited school (at least not by IL standards). Or something.

Well, good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Aside from nursing licensure compact. Will any other state accept?

I can't get my license here in Illinois though I'm a MI nurse. What can I get in Illinois with a MI RN license? Eventually I'd be forced to move but preferably not MI again. Any states allowing?

You have essentially answered yourself in another thread....
Short and simple. Yes. Illinois REQUIRES you to be a nurse in country of education. THERE IS NO WAY TO WAIVE THIS REQUIREMENT. Any point from 2009-2013 there has been no word of this ever happening. Great if someone updates us of this miracle in the following years to come
without an Illinois license..you may not work as a nurse.. What ever state you apply to, like all nurses, you must comply with that states educational requirements. The US issues state licenses for each state not a license that allows you to practice in the US. Each state you will need to reapply and pay the fees, go through the processing of your IEN records.

no license no work.

i wish you the best.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment