Travel Nursing Jobs for Registered Nurses
NURSYS
Certain states have signed an interstate compact that makes it possible for nurses residing in one state to practice in the other state without getting an additional license. In other words, if you reside in one of the following states then you are eligible to practice in any of the other states that are part of the nursing compact.
Mutual Recognition States
Arizona
Arkansas
Delaware
Idaho
Iowa
Maine
Maryland
Mississippi
Nebraska
North Carolina
South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Wisconsin
Coming Soon
Indiana
New Jersey
North Dakota
Tennessee
Map:
Important Details
Please understand that you must officially reside in one of the compact states. If you reside in a non-compact state, but you have received a license in a compact state, your licenses do NOT qualify for mutual recognition by compact states.
For travelers, determining residency can be a tricky situation. As a general rule, nursing boards take into consideration the address on your tax returns, your voter registration, and your driver’s license.
Your state of residence is the determining factor even if your primary state of practice is different from your state of residence. It is relatively simple for state boards (or attorneys) to investigate your true state of residence for any given time period.
Don’t give in to the temptation to “fudge” the rules and practice in a compact state if you don’t truly reside in a compact state. Although you might get away with it in the short term, you could run into serious legal and disciplinary problems if it comes to light that you practiced nursing in a state that didn’t grant you a license to practice!
Also understand that you mutual recognition of your license is not the same as an additional license. In other words, if you reside in North Carolina then Texas will let you practice using your North Carolina license, but that privilege is NOT the same as having a Texas license. If six months later you change your residency to California then Texas will no longer recognize your North Carolina license. You would have to apply for a license in Texas in order to take a travel (or permanent) assignment there.
Nursys Verification
Many states have decided to use the Nursys system to verify nursing licenses. The Nursys system is relatively inexpensive, streamlined, and usually quick.
The following states will use the Nursys system to verify your current license and then pass that information to the state where you are seeking licensure. For one small fee (currently $30) you can simultaneously verify any or all of the following states.
Arkansas
Idaho
Iowa
Indiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Mexico
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oregon
South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Wisconsin
A Common Verification Mistake to Avoid
You must check with the state where you are seeking licensure to determine which states they need verified. Some states only require your original license. Others require only a current license in any state. Yet some states require verification from every state where you have practiced nursing.
Blanket assumptions and faulty research on your part could prolong the licensure process and postpone your assignment start date.
Internet Verification Via Nursys
The Nursys system is even faster now that you can apply online.