What happens to US license when moving to Canada?

elkpark · Jul 24, 2006

Not sure what you mean by "what happens to" your (US) license (??) -- it remains active until its expiration date, and then you can renew it if you choose, the same as if you were in the US, if you have maintained a legal residence in your home state. It doesn't self-destruct when you cross the border, or anything like that ... :)

suzanne4, RN · Jul 24, 2006

You do not have to maintain a legal residence in a state to maintain a license, you just need to pay the renewal fee.

elkpark · Jul 25, 2006

You do not have to maintain a legal residence in a state to maintain a license, you just need to pay the renewal fee.

You're right, of course -- just a temporary brain freeze.

gchelak · Jul 25, 2006

Thanks for the responses! I was worried that since I was going to be practicing in a different country under a different RN license, that my US license would be revoked if I didn't practice in the US. Thank goodness!

elkpark · Jul 25, 2006

It's no different than holding licenses in more than one US state -- they don't cancel each other out; you can hold as many licenses as you're willing to pay for :), and they are all valid.

dwallace · Oct 5, 2011

hello

i am interesting in finding out how as a usa RN i can work as an RN in canada

thank u

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Oct 5, 2011

Please read the many threads on this topic that can be found in the International forum, such as:

https://allnurses.com/international-nursing/do-i-need-601189.html?highlight=US+to+Canada

https://allnurses.com/international-nursing/us-nurse-thinking-621791.html?highlight=US+to+Canada

https://allnurses.com/international-nursing/i-moved-canada-536436.html?highlight=US+to+Canada

https://allnurses.com/canadian-nurses/possible-work-canada-609665.html?highlight=US+to+Canada

https://allnurses.com/international-nursing/us-rn-new-340031.html?highlight=US+to+Canada

https://allnurses.com/international-nursing/requirements-work-nurse-193708.html?highlight=US+to+Canada

When you have some more specific questions come on back, but please remember to post in the International forum, because the average ordinary Canadian working nurse isn't going to knwo what your'e talking about when you ask about immigration-type questions.