Question:
Dear Nancy,
Is it legal for an employer to require RNs to obtain a permanent license in a remote state if the employee already holds a compact license in good standing, unrestricted with multistate privileges, and the employee maintains all requirements stated by the NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing's) definition of "home" or "primary residence"?
Dear Nancy,
Is it legal for an employer to require RNs to obtain a permanent license in a remote state if the employee already holds a compact license in good standing, unrestricted with multistate privileges, and the employee maintains all requirements stated by the NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing's) definition of "home" or "primary residence"?
Barry
Nancy Brent replies:
Dear Barry:
It is a little unclear what you are asking in your question, so only some general comments can be made. As you know, one must be licensed as an RN, LPN or APN in any and all states in which one practices. This licensure is governed by each state and its board of nursing.
Some states, as you indicated, are part of the NCSBN Nurse Licensure Compact (a mutual recognition model). Once licensed in a home state, one can practice physically and electronically in another state that is part of the compact, as long as all the required steps are taken to practice in that state. There are currently 24 such states.
If the remote state to which you refer is not part of the multistate compact, and is one in which your employer and, ultimately, nurse employees do healthcare business, then you would need to be licensed in that state as well (single state model), again meeting all required steps to obtain licensure.
You can read more about state licensure and the compact by reviewing the NCSBN publication, "What You Need to Know About Nursing Licensure and Boards of Nursing," available at the council's website at www.ncsbn.org.
Dear Barry:
It is a little unclear what you are asking in your question, so only some general comments can be made. As you know, one must be licensed as an RN, LPN or APN in any and all states in which one practices. This licensure is governed by each state and its board of nursing.
Some states, as you indicated, are part of the NCSBN Nurse Licensure Compact (a mutual recognition model). Once licensed in a home state, one can practice physically and electronically in another state that is part of the compact, as long as all the required steps are taken to practice in that state. There are currently 24 such states.
If the remote state to which you refer is not part of the multistate compact, and is one in which your employer and, ultimately, nurse employees do healthcare business, then you would need to be licensed in that state as well (single state model), again meeting all required steps to obtain licensure.
You can read more about state licensure and the compact by reviewing the NCSBN publication, "What You Need to Know About Nursing Licensure and Boards of Nursing," available at the council's website at www.ncsbn.org.
Sincerely,
Nancy
Nancy J. Brent, RN, MS, JD, is an attorney in private practice in Wilmette, Ill. This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as legal or any other advice. The reader is encouraged to seek the advice of an attorney or other professional when an opinion is needed.
