When does my license need to be renewed??

[daisy87]

In November of this year I had my RN license endorsed to Texas:D. It has the date it was issued on it, but I don't see anything about when the license expires. Does anyone know? I was reading the CE booklet they included and it sounded like the expiration date can vary and may have something to do with when your birthday falls...mine is in October.

[sjt9721, BSN, RN]

Seems llike the State of Texas would make a Nurse carry a Pocket License while working, and have to present it, if a customer asked.

Looking at historical data, most of the nurse-imposters had gained employment by presenting a fradulent wallet card. Employers now have no choice but to check the BON website to verify licensure.

Other states (not sure which or how many) adopted this practice before Texas did.

[sjt9721, BSN, RN]

Interesting... So that's why I got my license in May 2006 and did not have to renew until August 2008 - over two years!

From the BON (emphasis mine):

First Time Renewals

A nurse newly licensed in Texas either by examination or by endorsing from another state is exempt from the continuing education requirement for the first licensure renewal. A nurse's initial license may be valid for a period ranging from six (6) to 29 months, depending on the Licensee's birth date. Following the first license renewal, the nurse must meet CE requirements for the subsequent biannual renewal periods.

[LadyT618, MSN, APRN, NP]

From the TX BON website....

Do you require continuing education (CE)?

1. Yes, nurses must attest to completing a minimum of 20 contact hours prior to renewing their license. First time licensees by examination and endorsement are exempt from this requirement upon their first renewal. Do not mail any certificates to the BON. You will be required to provide copies of the CE certificates upon notification of an audit. Advance Practice Nurses (APNs) are required to complete CE within their advanced specialty area and role recognized by the BON. APNs with limited prescriptive authority must also complete an additional five contact hours in pharmacotherapeutics.

[diane227, LPN, RN]

Go to the Texas State Board of Nursing website and it will tell you. ALWAYS make sure the board has your current address. They will send the renewal slip to you. In Texas you also have to have a certain number of CE hours each renewal period. It used to be 20 over 2 years but I am not sure what it is now. At any rate, they may not ask you to prove that you have had the CE hours but they might, so make sure you have them.