Valid Virginia Only (Compact Designation)

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Quick question, does anybody know what "Valid Virginia Only (Compact Designation)" on your license means? I always thought VA is a compact state, does that mean I can only work in VA with my license?

A little background, I'm a nurse in Germany, moved to the US 8 years ago, got my CA RN license and worked in CA for about a year before we moved to VA (hubby is military).

Since all my education was in Germany, the VA BON required me to go through CGFNS and I also had to get the TOEFL test done. Took me about a year to get everything together, but I finally found myself on on the Department of Health Professions website :-))

Everything looks good and hopefully I'll be going back to work in fall. Was just wondering about the "valid in Virginia only" thing.

Thanks!

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

Are you a legal permanent resident of Virginia ? (Legal residence, VA drivers license) If not you are not eligible for a compact license only a single state license.

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Oh ok that explains it, our "home of records" is Florida and I do have a FL driver license. We're currently living in VA due to my husbands military orders.

Thanks!

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

Did you plan on working across the border in another compact state? Otherwise not really an issue then. If so, most compact states will make concessions for military families relocated by military order. If I recall correctly, the NCL was implemented for a few situations to be eased: military relocation, travel nurses and those living on the border of two states (such as MD /VA )

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Not really, even though I live close to NC, I'm just trying to think ahead for the future. I hope it will be easier next time (wherever we go) to get my license endorsed in another state. Since I did CGFNS and TOEFL I hope the evaluation doesn't expire because going through that again isn't really an option.

Thanks for your help, I was just curious what it meant, since I haven't heard about "compact designation" before.

Now off to find a job :-)

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Specializes in Short Term Rehab; Skilled Nursing.

I'm one of the guys that has Virginia valid only license. And that is because my drivers license is still from Illinois. As the other people mentioned before, that's not an issue if you work in Virginia and not plan to move soon.

If you want to make your license compact, than just get a Virginia ID, update Board of Nursing and your license will not be "single state only" - it will be upgraded to compact :)

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Hi, I have the same background as you... went to school in Germany and have been practicing in the US for a while now. Since most hospitals are requiring their nurses to have a bsn degree I decided to go back to school. On this same website I read that you were also trying to get into a uni/college... Please tell me if you have had any luck??? I applied at chamberlain but don't know if i will be accepted into their rn to bsn program. They are in the process of evaluating my foreign credentials and it has been painful! I'm thinking about starting school all over again.

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