KS & the NLC! "Things to Know", by Robort Mangold, DON

Image, KSBN FB Page

 

July 1st, 2019 is an important date for nurses across Kansas and Louisiana. On this date, Kansas and Louisiana will become members of the eNLC (Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact). What this means is, RN's and LPN's in Kansas/Louisiana will now be able to hold a multi-state license. This multi-state license will allow us to practice in both our home state and other eNLC states without obtaining a nursing license in those states. The other states that are members of the eNLC include: Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, New Hampshire, Maine, Delaware, Maryland and Wisconsin. 

 
Things to Know: (From the KSBN Newsletter) 

 
• Nurses who reside in states that are members of the NLC can acquire a multi-state license in their state of residency. 

• The multi-state license allows you to practice physically, electronically and/or telephonically in Kansas and other states that are members of the NLC.

• Those who currently hold a Kansas nursing license and want a multi-state license must apply for one through the Board of Nursing website. The application for a multi-state license will be available on the Board of Nursing website on July 1, 2019. 

• On the application for a multi-state license, you will be required to declare your state of residency. This is the state you consider to be your home and where you pay taxes. 

• There are additional requirements for a multi-state license. These are called “Uniform Licensure Requirements (ULRs).” You will be required to submit fingerprints with your application for a multi-state license. If you do not meet all the ULRs, you will NOT be issued a multi-state license and can retain your single state license. If you need to practice across a state border, you can do so by applying for a single state license in that state (or using an active license that has been issued to you by that state.) 

• If you practice in other NLC states on your multi-state license, you must adhere to the laws and regulations of the state you are practicing in. 

• If you need to practice in a state that is not a member of the NLC, you need a single state license issued from that state regardless of whether you hold a multi-state license. 

• If nurses with current single state nursing licenses in Kansas want to maintain their current single state nursing license, there is nothing they need to do. These nurses will continue to renew their single state nursing licenses when they are due for renewal.

 
For more information about the Nurse Licensure Compact, see the 3rd Quarter KSBN Nursing Newsletter: https://ksbn.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Newsletter/Newsletter-3qtr2019.pdf

 
Happy Nursing!


Robert Mangold, BSN, RN, WCC
Director of Nursing
QS Nurses