INACTIVE STATUS If you plan to discontinue the practice of nursing in North Carolina, either permanently or temporarily, a request may be made to become inactive. Inactive status is requested when your license is up for renewal. Click HERE to go directly to the online application for Inactive status. Or, you may check the appropriate box on the renewal postcard notification. Renewal postcard notifications are mailed out approximately 90 days prior to the expiration of your license. The request for inactive status MUST be made before the expiration of your current license. A nurse with an inactive status license is not permitted by law to practice nursing. No fee is required while the license is inactive. You may request a change from inactive status to active status by completing the on-line reinstatement application, provided the license has been on inactive status less than five years. If preferred, a paper application may be requested by contacting our office at 919-782-3211 ext. 260 or 268. A criminal background check is required for all applicants whose NC license has expired 6 months of more. In addition, upon application for reinstatement, all licensees are required to attest to completion of self assessment, learning plan, and one of the approved learning activity options during the two year period prior to reinstatement.* If your North Carolina license has been on inactive status for over five years and you have not been licensed in another state during the last five years, successful completion of a Board approved refresher course is required prior to reinstating your license. The refresher course will satisfy the Continuing Competence requirement. Once the Board has been notified of successful completion of the refresher course, you will be mailed a reinstatement application. A criminal background check is also required before the license can be reinstated. Your license must be reactivated within one year of completing the refresher course in order to be considered for current license status. When all required information is received from you and is deemed to be satisfactory, a current license to resume the practice of nursing will be issued. The Board may decline to reactivate a license if a determination of unsatisfactory ability to practice nursing is evident. Click HERE for additional information on refresher courses. Once the Board receives all materials for reactivation of a license, a minimum of six weeks processing time may be required. * Continuing Competence information, rules, requirements and an explanatory webcast can be find on our website under Quick Links>Continuing Competence located on the toolbar at the top of the page.
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RETIRED NURSE STATUS
A nurse who has retired has the option of placing his/her license on the retired nurse status when the license is up for renewal. Click HERE to go directly to the online application for Retired Nurse status. Or, you may check the "Request Retired Nurse Status" box on the renewal postcard notification (which is mailed out approximately 90 days prior to the expiration of your current license). NOTE: There is a one-time $30 fee for the Retired Nurse Status. The retired nurse status allows you to use the designation of either Registered Nurse - Retired or Licensed Practical Nurse – Retired. With the retired nurse status, you will receive a frameable certificate with this designation as well as a two-year subscription to the Bulletin. The retired nurse status does not permit the practice of nursing in North Carolina. Once a license expires it cannot be placed on retired nurse status; therefore, the request must be made prior to the expiration date of the current license. You may request a change from retired nurse status to active status by completing the on-line reinstatement application, provided the license has been on retired nurse status less than five years. If preferred, a paper application may be requested by contacting our office at 919-782-3211 ext. 260 or 268. . A criminal background check is required for all applicants whose NC license has expired 6 months of more. In addition, upon application for reinstatement, all licensees are required to attest to completion of self assessment, learning plan, and one of the approved learning activity options during the two year period prior to reinstatement.* If your North Carolina license has been on retired nurse status for over five years and you have not been licensed in another state during the last five years, successful completion of a Board approved refresher course is required prior to reinstating your license. The refresher course will satisfy the Continuing Competence requirement. Once the Board has been notified of successful completion of the refresher course, you will be mailed a reinstatement application. A criminal background check is also required before the license can be reinstated. Your license must be reactivated within one year of completing the refresher course in order to be considered for current license status. When all required information is received from you and is deemed to be satisfactory, a current license to resume the practice of nursing will be issued. The Board may decline to reactivate a license if a determination of unsatisfactory ability to practice nursing is evident. Click HERE for additional information on refresher courses. Once the Board receives all materials for reactivation of a license, a minimum of six weeks processing time may be required. * Continuing Competence information, rules, requirements and an explanatory webcast can be find on our website under Quick Links>Continuing Competence located on the toolbar at the top of the page. |