Question:
Dear Donna,
If you get an RN license in another state, do you have to keep it up to date in the first state, or can you just maintain it in the new state and let your original license lapse? This is provided you know you will not be moving back to the original licensing state.
Dorothy
Dear Donna replies:
Dear Dorothy,
You generally do not need to keep up your original nursing license once you move and have a valid license in your new location when you do not plan to return to your original state.
However, every state has slightly different requirements, so you might want to check with your home state board of nursing for its advice/regulations for future reinstatements in case you ever did go back. Call or e-mail them with your question. It might take them a few weeks to get back to you, but they should reply. If you don?t hear from them within two weeks, follow up with another call and/or e-mail.
Also, if there is a chance that you might relocate to a third state in the future (you just never know), you might want to keep your original license active because that could make it easier to receive licensure endorsement from yet another state in the future.
Best wishes,
Donna
