Can you hold an active license in more than one state?

Forgive me if this is a silly question. I've never lived in a border state before now. I live right on the edge of two different states. I'm originally licensed in Maryland and that license is active. Right now we are stationed right on the edge on NJ and PA. Can I hold an active license in all 3 states or will getting reciprocity in one cancel another? Should I job hunt first and then apply when I get an offer or a lead? I would think I should get my license or at least start the process before I look for a job but I wanted to make sure I can at least hold both the PA and the NJ license at the same time first. I looked on the NCSBN site and called their number but couldn't find the answer (or talk to a real person...argh!!). Thanks in advance if you can answer this!
Oh and this is for an RN license. I'm not sure if it's different between RN and LPN but thought I'd add that just in case.

Yes

Yes! I hold WI (compact state) and Illinois (non-compact state).With driver's licenses, you cannot hold more than one state at a time. RN licenses are different.

Yes. I have an active RN license in both MD and DC.

Yes......!

Thank you!!!!!!!

Yes and no. Read up on compact state licensure. Iowa for example wont allow you to hold a license if you have a license in another compact state.

I currently have an active license in CA and DC (both not compact states) and I'm about to have one in VA (a compact state). Don't you just love PCS'ing all over (would have been so much easier if the base had floor jobs open, instead of just clinic jobs)?

Yes you can. The reciprocity requirement, ceu requirements andfees including renewal periods may be different for each state.riflyn, I thought the compact states only allowed residents to be eligible forthe compact in the state the person holds the license and is a resident.For example, I have a RI license but do not live there. My license statesit is only for RI not the compact as I live in the neighboring state.

ri is a compact state. i don't live there either, but i have a ri license. i cannot practice in other states under the compact even though i have a ri license, because it's not my primary residence; my primary license is in another state, noncompact.but alllll the states (except iowa and maybe tennessee, i forget) are happy as heck to accept my money to get licenses in them. so i have licenses in 7 states, and a pretty penny it costs me, too.

Grntea!Wow, you must need your Smartphone to track all those license expirationsand CEU requirements!

Yes, you can have active licenses in more than one state. However, there's a catch: you will need to declare a home state.For example, let's assume that you have a compact license for Arizona (your imaginary home state), but received job offers in Iowa. Even though Iowa and Arizona are both members of the Nursing Licensure Compact, you will still need to declare a home state for your license. If you decide to work in Iowa under your Arizona license, you can legally do so for only 30 days. After the 30 days has elapsed, you will definitely need to apply and pay for an Iowa nursing license in order to continue working legally in Iowa.A compact nursing license is similar to a driver's license. Once you have moved to Iowa, you can drive under your Arizona license for 30 days, then you will need to obtain an Iowa driver's license in order to keep driving legally in your new home state. It is the exact same concept with a nursing license that is from a compact state.