Can You Work in Another State After Losing Your Missouri Nursing License?
Losing your nursing license in Missouri is devastating, but the impact doesn’t stop at state lines. Because Missouri participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), discipline here can affect your ability to practice elsewhere. Understanding how license loss impacts multi-state practice is critical for any nurse facing disciplinary action.
How the NLC Works
The Nurse Licensure Compact allows nurses with a Missouri license to practice in other compact states without obtaining separate licenses. However, this privilege comes with a catch: if your Missouri license is restricted, suspended, or revoked, your privileges in all compact states are automatically impacted.
Working in Non-Compact States
If you want to apply for licensure in a non-compact state, disciplinary history from Missouri will still follow you. NURSYS, the national nurse database, shares disciplinary information with all state boards. Most states require disclosure of past discipline and may deny licensure based on Missouri’s actions.
Options After Revocation
While working in another state is difficult after losing your Missouri license, reinstatement is often the first step. Once your license is reinstated in Missouri, you may be eligible to apply for privileges or licensure elsewhere. In some cases, states may allow restricted practice, but only with proof of rehabilitation.
Why Legal Help Matters
Trying to apply for licensure in another state while under Missouri discipline is nearly impossible without guidance. An attorney can help you pursue reinstatement in Missouri, advocate for fair terms, and advise you on applying to other states once your license is restored.
If you’ve lost your Missouri nursing license and want to practice in another state, your first step is addressing discipline here at home. Contact Sanger Law Office, LLC today at (816) 520-8040 for a confidential consultation. We can help you pursue reinstatement and restore your ability to work across state lines.