Your state licenses are basically like a “work passport” to where you can head next. Knowing the updates make a huge difference when you’re ready to start your new adventure with Focus Staff on your next travel assignment. Sadly, our country is in a National Emergency. What does this mean for your state licenses?
COVID-19 Emergency State Licensing
Focus Staff has been following the recent federal and state emergency declarations and what these mean for medical travelers. We’re hopeful the states will do what they can to ensure their communities have all the help they need. Have you heard that due to the National Emergency, any existing state license can be used to practice in any other state? We’ve heard it too, what we do know is that upon President Trump signing the National Public Emergency (NPE), state governors were given the ability to utilize an 1135 waiver with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) or to utilize the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, both of which can allow out-of-state practitioners to work legally on another valid license.
Focus Staff is working hard to stay on top of changes in the licensing process as more information develops about COVID-19. Our goal is to communicate state licensing changes to travelers as soon as possible, so you can go where you’re needed most. Please reach out to your recruiter to let them know where you’d like to help, and they’ll get you the info you need.
One license for 34 states.
Once we are out of this National Emergency due to COVID-19, compact licenses will remain. Working in multiple states with one license is becoming the norm. At least, for 34 states so far, making it easier for travel nurses to work and stay mobile under one license. Here is a great website https://www.ncsbn.org/State_COVID-19_Response.pdf which provides an informational document that is updated daily, you can continue to refresh and see what’s new, but here are the most recent states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana (enacted), Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey (enacted), New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming There are some states with pending eNLC legislation: Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington
Please keep in communication with your recruiter frequently to receive updates, check our social media sites for updates! Focus Staff appreciates all of your efforts, hard work, and dedication. We are rooting for you and always here for support! #FocusFam