Travel Nurses Licensing
One of the essential aspects of travel nursing is knowing how to stay on top of your nursing licenses in different states. This process can feel like a maze at times, but don’t worry – Axis Medical has your back! Our last blog post on state licensing was a hit, so we wanted to share an updated version!
Let’s walk through the process of obtaining and maintaining nursing licenses across the U.S., including compact state agreements and temporary licenses.
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) The NLC is a game-changer for travel nurses, allowing you to practice in multiple states with just one license. If your primary state of residence is an NLC member, you can apply for a multi-state license. This license grants you the ability to practice in all participating compact states without needing additional licensure. To see if your state is part of the NLC and for more information, visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website: https://www.ncsbn.org/nurse-licensure-compact.htm
Non-Compact States For states not participating in the NLC, you’ll need to obtain a separate nursing license for each state you wish to practice in. Each state has its own licensing requirements, fees, and processing times, so it’s crucial to research and plan accordingly. To find specific licensing information for each state, visit the respective Board of Nursing websites. Here’s a handy list of all U.S. Boards of Nursing to get you started: https://www.ncsbn.org/contact-bon.htm
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Temporary Licenses Many states offer temporary licenses for travel nurses, enabling you to begin working while your permanent license application is being processed. These licenses typically have a shorter processing time and are valid for a limited period, usually three to six months. To apply for a temporary license, visit the Board of Nursing website for the state you plan to work in and follow their application guidelines.
License Renewal and Continuing Education Nursing licenses need to be renewed periodically, and each state has its own renewal requirements and fees. Additionally, most states require nurses to complete a certain number of Continuing Education (CE) hours to maintain their licenses. Be sure to familiarize yourself with each state’s renewal and CE requirements, as they can vary significantly. You can find this information on each state’s Board of Nursing website.
Staying Organized Managing multiple nursing licenses can be challenging, but staying organized is key. Create a system to keep track of your license numbers, expiration dates, and renewal requirements. Consider using a spreadsheet, planner, or even an app to help you stay on top of your licensing needs.
Licensing processing times can vary greatly between states, ranging from a few days to several months. Start the licensing process well in advance of your assignment’s start date to ensure you have the necessary licenses in place. Don’t forget to factor in the time needed for license verifications, background checks, and any additional documentation required.
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State Resources:
To apply for a license by endorsement, you’ll need to provide verification of your current license, complete a background check, and pay the appropriate fees.
Requirements include submitting an application, verifying your original state of licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
Arizona requires submitting an application, proof of citizenship, a fingerprint card for a background check, verification of your current license, and payment of fees.
To apply in Arkansas, you need to submit an application, complete a background check, verify your current license, and pay the required fees.
California requires an application, transcript from your nursing program, verification of your current license, fingerprinting for a background check, and payment of fees.
Colorado requires submitting an application, verifying your original state of licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
To apply in Connecticut, you need to submit an application, provide verification of your current license, and pay the required fees.
Delaware requires submitting an application, proof of your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
To apply in Florida, you need to submit an application, provide verification of your current license, complete a background check, and pay the required fees.
Georgia requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
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Hawaii requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
To apply in Idaho, you need to submit an application, provide verification of your current license, complete a background check, and pay the required fees.
Illinois requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
To apply in Indiana, you need to submit an application, provide verification of your current license, complete a background check, and pay the required fees.
Iowa requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
Kansas requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
To apply in Kentucky, you need to submit an application, provide verification of your current license, complete a background check, and pay the required fees.
Louisiana requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
To apply in Maine, you need to submit an application, provide verification of your current license, complete a background check, and pay the required fees.
Maryland requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
Massachusetts requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
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To apply in Michigan, you need to submit an application, provide verification of your current license, complete a background check, and pay the required fees.
Minnesota requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
To apply in Mississippi, you need to submit an application, provide verification of your current license, complete a background check, and pay the required fees.
Missouri requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
Montana requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
To apply in Nebraska, you need to submit an application, provide verification of your current license, complete a background check, and pay the required fees.
Nevada requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
To apply in New Hampshire, you need to submit an application, provide verification of your current license, complete a background check, and pay the required fees.
New Jersey requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
New Mexico requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
To apply in New York, you need to submit an application, provide verification of your current license, complete a background check, and pay the required fees.
North Carolina requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
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To apply in North Dakota, you need to submit an application, provide verification of your current license, complete a background check, and pay the required fees.
Ohio requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
Oklahoma requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
To apply in Oregon, you need to submit an application, provide verification of your current license, complete a background check, and pay the required fees.
Pennsylvania requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
To apply in Rhode Island, you need to submit an application, provide verification of your current license, complete a background check, and pay the required fees.
South Carolina requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
South Dakota requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
To apply in Tennessee, you need to submit an application, provide verification of your current license, complete a background check, and pay the required fees.
Texas requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
To apply in Utah, you need to submit an application, provide verification of your current license, complete a background check, and pay the required fees.
Vermont requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
Virginia requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
To apply in Washington, you need to submit an application, provide verification of your current license, complete a background check, and pay the required fees.
West Virginia requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
To apply in Wisconsin, you need to submit an application, provide verification of your current license, complete a background check, and pay the required fees.
Wyoming requires submitting an application, verifying your current licensure, completing a background check, and paying applicable fees.
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