When You No Longer Need a License...

[westieluv]

in a different state than where you reside, how do you stop being licensed there?

I am not a travel nurse, but I posted this here because I know that travelers are required to be licensed in multiple states. I am actually leaving a position as a telephone triage nurse where I had to be licensed in several other states to take calls for agencies in those states. My new position is in a local facility, therefore, I will no longer need to be licensed anywhere except where I reside. I do not plan to return to the triage position, and none of the states where I am licensed for the job are anywhere that my husband and I would ever relocate to, so when these licenses come up for renewal in 2017, I need to not renew, or put them on inactive status, or whatever. I do not want a bunch of lapsed licenses on my record, so I know I can't just ignore the renewal period and "let them slide".

Does anyone here have any experience with needing to end licensure in a state where you no longer work and will never need to practice again? I would really appreciate advice on how to do this without letting the licenses lapse and appearing irresponsible or worse, like I've done something to prevent the state from renewing my license.

Thanks!

[NedRN]

There are a few states that have an inactive status that is beneficial if you ever renew an otherwise lapsed license. But mostly you just let them lapse without issue. As a traveler, I do that all the time, and the only downside is a late fee if I renew them. After some period, usually 5 to 10 years, you cannot renew a lapsed license but must start over. Doesn't sound like you would be worried about that either.

Don't worry, just let them lapse! No downside to you. This is not like a bill you paid late that may result in a dinged credit rating.

[westieluv]

Thanks for your reply. I didn't realize that you could let them lapse, I guess you're right, I'm thinking it looks like I did something irresponsible. I don't like that word, "lapsed", lol. I would prefer a status something like, "opted not to renew", it just sounds better.

[NedRN]

So "opted not to renew" is accurate! The corollary is that you agreed not to work in that state during the non-renewed period. If you did work without a license during that period, that certainly could result in a dinged license on your record in every state.