Out of State and Military Spouse License Reciprocity
Q. Is a nursing license still required in Arizona?
A. Yes, nurses must still be authorized to practice nursing in Arizona. This can be either through a multistate nursing license, multistate nursing license privilege, or a single state Arizona license. The new law is an alternative to the traditional license, but the traditional license forms are still in place, without change.
Q. How does the new law affect the nurse licensure compact?
A. The new law does not affect the nurse licensure compact. The compact remains the same as before, with no changes. If you hold a multistate license, the same laws remain in place and nothing has changed.
Q. How does the new law affect licensure by endorsement?
A. The new law does not affect the existing statutes and rules regarding licensure by endorsement. Rather, it is a new alternative that, if granted, provides a single state license in Arizona only, with Arizona declared as the primary state of residence (PSOR).
Q. When does the new law (HB2569/ ARS § 32-4302) go into effect?
A. On August 27, 2019.
Q. Do I have to apply for licensure under the new law if I'm a new resident to Arizona?
A. No, the HB2569/ARS § 32-4302 creates an alternative path to licensure but doesn't affect the existing forms of licensure. If you hold a multistate compact license that allows you to work in Arizona, you may continue to work on your privilege to practice or Arizona multistate license just as before, and you do not need to do anything different.
If you do not wish to obtain a multistate license, or are not able to work in Arizona on a multistate license privilege to practice, you may apply under the new law. To be eligible for licensure under the new law, you must declare Arizona as your primary state of residence (PSOR). Under the new law, you will be eligible for a single state license, not a multistate license, which otherwise may be available through the traditional application process.
Q. Am I eligible for the new license/certificate?
A. If you are a military spouse: You must be accompanying your spouse to an official and permanent change of station to an Arizona military installation and be currently licensed in good standing in another state in a nurse occupation that is recognized in Arizona (RN, LPN, NP, CRNA, CNS).
Please note that if you are working in a federal facility, you may not be required to obtain Arizona licensure, just as before. If you are working at a facility under the jurisdiction of the State of Arizona, you are required to have authorization to practice in Arizona, either with a multistate license (including privilege to practice), or an Arizona, single state license.
If you are an Arizona resident: If you hold an Arizona multistate or a multistate license with a primary state of residence (PSOR) in another state, you may continue practice in Arizona (including on your privilege to practice), as authorized by the nurse licensure compact. If you already hold an Arizona single state license, it will not be affected by the new law (HB2569/ARS § 32-4302).
If you do not hold or want a multistate license, and you want to apply for Arizona licensure under the new law, you must hold an Arizona-recognized form of nursing license, in good standing, in another state, for at least one year to be eligible to apply under the new law. You must also declare Arizona as your PSOR.
In addition, for both military spouses and Arizona residents, you must:
- Be currently licensed/certified, in good standing, in the same occupation (RN, LPN, NP, CRNA), at the same level that you are applying for in Arizona
- Hold a license/certificate in another state for a minimum of one year
- Have a license/certificate in another state that has minimum education requirements, and work/clinical requirements, as applicable; and the other state must verify that the you have met those requirements
- Have passed any exam required by the other state
- Never previously had a license/certificate revoked or surrendered while under investigation for unprofessional conduct
- Have no prior discipline in any state, OR that discipline has been corrected/resolved. (If not, the application process is suspended until resolved.)
- Have no pending complaints, allegations, or investigations. (Otherwise, the application process is suspended until resolved.)
- Pay all applicable fees
- Have no disqualifying criminal history pursuant to A.R.S. §41-1093.04
Q. Will a license issued under the new law be a multistate license?
A. No, under the new law, it will be single state for Arizona only.
If you are declaring Arizona as your primary state of residence (PSOR), you may be eligible for a multistate license under the traditional application process.
Q. Do I still need to apply for a license/certificate, or can I just come to Arizona and start working if I have a license/certificate in another state?
A. If you hold a multistate nursing license from another state, you may practice on your privilege in Arizona, as it is a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact. If you are not able to practice on a multistate license privilege, you still need to apply for a license/certificate, including under the new law. You must declare Arizona as your primary state of residence (PSOR) - then you can apply for a multistate license under the nurse licensure compact, or you can apply under the new law for a single state license, if you are eligible.
Q. Do I still need to get my fingerprints done?
A. Yes, fingerprints and a criminal background check through Department of Public Safety and FBI are still required under both the traditional application process and the new law.
Q. Do I need to declare Arizona as my primary state of residence (PSOR) to apply for a license under the new law?
A. Yes. You need to declare Arizona as your primary state of residence (PSOR) both to be eligible for an Arizona multistate license, or a single-state license/certificate under the new law.
Q. If I was disciplined in another state and that discipline was never resolved, like a denial, revocation, probation, suspension, etc., am I eligible to obtain a license/certificate under the new law?
A. No, the Board cannot issue you a license under the new law until your prior discipline is resolved.
It is possible that you could obtain a license/certificate (possibly with conditions) under the traditional application process.
Q. If I have a license/certificate in another state that is similar to an Arizona license/certificate, but has a different name or different scope of practice, am I eligible for a license/certificate under the new law?
A. No. Only persons with the same occupation at the same level are eligible under the new law. The nurse occupations (RN, LPN, NP, CRNA, CNS) and scope of practice for all levels of Arizona licensure/certification are defined in the Arizona Nurse Practice Act.
Q. What if I have a prior criminal conviction and I'm still on probation?
A. HB2569/ARS § 32-4302 requires that your criminal convictions are resolved before your application for a license under the new law can be processed.
Please note that you might be eligible to receive a license/certificate under the traditional application process (possibly with conditions).
Q. What if I am under investigation in another state?
A. HB2569/ARS §32-4302 requires that the investigation process be complete before your application for a license under the new law can be processed.
You might be eligible to receive a license/certificate under the traditional application process (possibly with conditions).