While nursing is a satisfying and rewarding profession, licensed nurses must adhere to highly demanding ethical standards. After fielding complaints or conducting an investigation on a nurse’s conduct, the Board may elect to suspend or revoke a nursing license, putting the nurse’s career at risk. If you lose your nursing license, can you get it back?
Yes, you can have your North Carolina license reinstated. However, the petition process is complicated and lengthy simply because license reinstatement depends on the circumstances of your case.
By partnering with a professional nursing license defense attorney in Charlotte, nurses in North Carolina can get the legal help they need to meet the North Carolina Board of Nursing’ (NCBON) guidelines and have their license suspension lifted.
Things to Know Before Filing for Nursing License Reinstatement
Before petitioning the NCBON to reinstate your nursing license, there are several crucial things you need to know to ensure your request or appeal is processed:
If your license is outdated, your right to practice nursing in North Carolina becomes automatically forfeited unless you have a multi-state nursing license with another compact state. It’s worth noting that practicing with an expired license warrants disciplinary action.
The NCBON will not issue an active license if you claim a Compact State as your primary state of residence. Several official documents can be used to prove the primary state of residence:
- Valid Driver’s License
- Federal Income Tax Return
- Voter Registration
- Military Form No. 2058
- W2 Form issued by the U.S. Government, Bureau, Agency, or Division indicating the declared state of residence.
For reinstatement purposes, licensure may be valid for less than two years for the expiration date to fall in your birth month. Licensees can only submit proof of continuing practice following notification by the Board.
How to Get a Nursing License Back
The procedure of requesting the reinstatement of a suspended or removed nursing license depends on the unique circumstances of your case, the state in which you had disciplinary action, and whether you’ve committed an offense since your last renewal.
You’re facing disciplinary action or investigation by another occupational licensing agency
If you’re facing disciplinary action or have a pending investigation by another occupational licensing authority whose disposition may warrant action against your license, you must present the following:
- The licensing authority’s names, address, and contact information
- A letter detailing the disciplinary actions taken or the investigation outcome
- Formal charges or allegations supporting the licensure action
- The licensing authority’s final disposition regarding the formal charges or allegations
- Proof of meeting the licensing agency’s requirements, what conditions you’re yet to satisfy, and the timeline within which you should meet them
After a license suspension or revocation, you must submit the following documents to the Board’s office before submitting your licensure reinstatement request:
- A written explanation of each disciplinary action, including the dates of action
- The license type and the State or Country that issued it
- Certified documents detailing all actions taken by the licensing Board
You had action taken in another state since your last license renewal
If you had any disciplinary action taken against your nursing license by another state that wasn’t previously brought to the NCBON’s attention, you must submit the following documents to the Board’s office before your reinstatement application can be processed:
- A written explanation of the incidences related to the charges, the action taken, and in which state
You’ve had a misdemeanor or felony charge since your last license renewal
If you’ve been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony or have any pending charges since your last license renewal that were not previously reported to the NCBON, you must submit the following before your request for license reinstatement can be processed:
- A written explanation of the circumstances that led to your conviction or charge
- Certified copies of the charges or convictions issued by the county clerk in the jurisdiction of conviction
- Evidence that you met the conditions of the conviction
The documents required for submission in each of the three situations mentioned above must be submitted to the following address:
RENEWAL DEPARTMENT
North Carolina Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 2129
Raleigh, NC 27602-2129
When Should You Involve a Nursing License Attorney?
It’s best to partner with a nursing license attorney as soon as possible when faced with any legal issue, whether a patient has filed a complaint with the NCBON or you’ve been charged with a crime outside your line of work. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the more time they’ll have to investigate the claims, prepare the case, and represent you before the NCBON to protect your nursing license.
Have you had your nursing license suspended or revoked? At Remington & Dixon, PLLC, an experienced professional license defense attorney is dedicated to helping you protect your career. We provide honest case evaluations and affordable fees, leveraging all available resources at our disposal to represent you aggressively and fight for your license reinstatement. Contact us today to schedule a confidential case review with one of our attorneys.
FAQs About Nursing License Reinstatement
How will I know when my nursing license has been reinstated?
The NCBON does not issue pocket-size licenses or mail notifications after licensure reinstatement. Instead, you can verify your licensure by visiting the Board’s website.
How long will my reinstated license be valid?
For initial reinstatement of a lapsed, suspended, or revoked license, licensure may be valid for less than two years (13-24 months) so that the Board may place the expiration date on your birth month.
