Fact: The benefits of the Military Spouse Residency Relief Act of 2009 do not extend to licensure. The compact is based on primary state of residency. To be eligible for a multistate license, a nurse must declare the compact state as their primary state of residence. A resident of a non-compact state may apply to a compact state for a license, however; the applicant will only be eligible for a single state license, having met all requirements.
Myth 13: I own property in a compact state, so I’m eligible for a compact license.
Fact: Eligibility requirements for a multistate license include having primary residency in a compact state. Acceptable evidence of residency include:
Myth 14: Defending myself for a violation while practicing in a remote state will mean that I’ll need to have attorneys in both my home state & the remote state.
Fact: When a violation occurs by a nurse practicing in a remote state, the board of nursing in the remote state will contact the board in the home state. After discussing the case, the boards will decide which board will take the lead in the investigation. The home state may take action on the license and the remote may take action on the privilege. It would be unusual for a nurse to retain an attorney in each state.
Myth 15: Even though I am licensed in a compact state, getting a compact license requires a separate application process.
Fact: In a compact state, there is no separate application for a compact license. A nurse holding an active license in good standing issued by a compact state, having declared residency in that compact state, holds a multistate license. Should that nurse have applied for the license while a resident of a non-compact state, the license will be a single state license until the nurse declares the compact state as the primary state of residency.
Myth 16: I can’t apply for a license in a compact state until I move there.
Fact: Nurses are encouraged to start the application process in advance of the move. Should that nurse have applied for the license while a resident of a non-compact state, the license will be a single state license until the nurse declares the compact state as the primary state of residency.
