What happens when u move to different state???

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Specializes in My first yr. as a LVN!.

I havent researched it much, thought I could come here and get better information... basically I always thoguht that when a nurse got licensed in a state, (CA), and he/she moves to lets say (CO) is it true you have to retake the NCLEX to relicense in that state? What happens to travel nurses? If you get an ADN does that cover all states? Anyone know for certain? :uhoh21:

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To clear up a few misconceptions that you have:

NCLEX is a national exam, it is not state specific.

And once you pass it, that result is valid for all 50 states plus the US territories. Provided that you keep a license somewhere, in most cases that exam would never need to be repeated. Only if you get out of nursing for ten years or more and do not keep a license up to date, then you may be required to write it again. But not in normal situations.

However, you will still need to go thru the licensing process called Licensing by Endorsement to which ever state that you want a license in. You will keep the original license provided that you continue to renew it, otherwise it will expire as of the date stipulated on the license.

Hope that this helps.

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Specializes in NICU, PACU, Pediatrics.

NC is in a pact with several other states so you can work in them with your NC license.

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Wisconsin is also one of the compact states. My license says multistate not Wisconsin. The understanding is that if I were to move to, say Texas, I would practice on this license until time to renew then renew in Texas. There's a total of 20 or 21 states in the compact. The only time I get a list though is when it's time to renew my license. Check to see if your state is in the compact and it'll make it easier to move. Alan

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And that is incorrect what is posted above about Compact License.

The Compact License which permits it to be good and honored in the states under the pact, requires that the nurse maintain a legal residence in the state where it was issued. So if moving out of that state, the Compact part of it becomes null and void. Only the license for that state will remain active, but not for Compact.

And the poster was asking about CA to CO. CA is not a compact state to begin with.

Please have a close look at your license if it is a compact one and you will see where it is written that the compact part fails to exist when you move. It is there in black and white on all of them. Or just have a look at the actual Compact Rulings. Move out of state, and it is void for the other states. The nurse would have to apply for a license in the new state, and if a resident in that state, then they could get a compact license issued again.

The Compact License was originally designed for nurses that lived on borders with one or more other states, and lived in one and worked in the other. Or worked for an ambulance company and did runs into the other states, they needed to have a license there. Ot for those that are travel nurses, but still maintain their legal residence in that state.

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Wisconsin is also one of the compact states. My license says multistate not Wisconsin. The understanding is that if I were to move to, say Texas, I would practice on this license until time to renew then renew in Texas. There's a total of 20 or 21 states in the compact. The only time I get a list though is when it's time to renew my license. Check to see if your state is in the compact and it'll make it easier to move. Alan

Not correct. Once you move, the compact part of the license becomes null and void. Do not take anything under assumption, or you could be considered practicing without a license.

And when you move, it becomes null and void. Suggest that you speak with the BON if you are planning to move. You cannot practice on that license legally if you have moved your legal residence out of that original state.

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good morning,

it's really not that difficult. let everybody just take a deep breath. example; i'm originally licensed in michigan. i moved to tennessee. i applied for license in tennessee, (which i learned is part of compact, {priviledge to work in other states under tennessee license}). i have a sister who has her own private practice in georgia. i wanted to assist her in her clinic, so i needed to apply for georgia license by endorsement. why? georgia is not part of compact & my michigan or tennessee license does not cover practicing in georgia. my son, his wife & grandchildren were in washington state & i wanted to go visit & work per diem for more than a month. okay, washington is not part of compact, my michigan, tennessee or georgia license does not give me privilege to practice nursing in washington. so, i applied for washington license by endorsement.

guess what, i decided to move back to michigan. i notified the states i was licensed, and tennessee sent me another license, taking away my privilege to participate (practice in other state that were part of compact). that's how i got started in traveling nursing. i just love it!

with the right company, you feel like you're on a vacation (they take care of all the expenses). oh, i alway maintained / kept my original state licensed current.

ok, it's easy, just contact the license division in the state that you are going to move. asked as many questions as you need, it's their job. they will send you an application, follow the instruction & don't forget to send them the money. oh the good thing about all my license, i renew on line. good luck

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