I am a United States born citizen and a dual citizen at that for the Philippines. I was batch 2013 for my bachelors in Nursing. My question is the time frame for which I have left to take the NCLEX. Example: If I graduated 2013, can I still take the exam the year 2021 as a first time taker? Does my diploma "expire?" I do plan on going to medical school and enter college of medicine this 2015. I just want to know if I can still take the NCLEX after I graduate medical School or even during that time frame. Passing the NCLEX is my back up plan if I fail in Medical school, for your information.

I moved your thread to registration someone will know how to best answer your question. Your US citizenship will have no bearing on the NCLEX time limit (if there is any).

"Your US citizenship will have no bearing on the NCLEX time limit (if there is any)." meaning I can take the NCLEX anytime without the need of worry that it may "expire?" Sorry, I just need clarification. I am searching for those specific guidelines about this matter.

Which state do you plan to live in? Look up the requirements on the state's Board Of Nursing website.

"Your US citizenship will have no bearing on the NCLEX time limit (if there is any)." meaning I can take the NCLEX anytime without the need of worry that it may "expire?" Sorry, I just need clarification. I am searching for those specific guidelines about this matter.

It will "expire" what I meant was being a citizen will not assist you any on the time limits. It is where you received your education that will be the issue. You are going to have to do some research. There are certain states that have concurrency issues with IEN NCLEX takers.....each state will have different requirements.

Every US state sets its own rules. Some states have limits on how long after you graduate from school you have to write the exam; some have limits on how many times you can write the exam; it depends on to which state you want to apply for licensure.

For your information guys, I do know California is the most strict when it comes to guidelines, despite that I live there, I don't mind any other state. I plan on going to Washington or Florida. For florida, it says on there website for Board of Nursing

"There is no time limit for you to apply to take the examination, however, if an applicant who graduates from an approved program does not take the licensure examination within six (6) months after graduation, he or she must enroll in and successfully complete a board approved licensure examination preparatory course. The applicant is responsible for all costs associated with the course and may not use state or federal financial aid for such costs."

As for Washington, I can not find the guidelines as of now.

Sorry, I don't know how to reply to everyone on this website, but i didn't comment down below. I don't know if you have to put "@dishes" Just wanted to let you know I saw your reply. Thank you so much! You guys are a great help, really!!

I met one person who did not take the NCLEX within a certain time frame after graduation and they were not able to do so, because the school would not forward their paperwork, stating that the individual must take a refresher/NCLEX prep course at the school (costing more money). This was a US school. I do not know that there is a special time frame for graduates of foreign programs. This would bear investigation; however, I would not waste any time, especially after the application is submitted. The state of CA disposes of applications after three years, treating them as if they are abandoned. That is a lot of money to waste to be told you have to start the process all over.

oh gosh! Thank you for the info! I am glad I am not a US grad for that certain situation! Let's hope i don't fall under that category. It makes sense that I might though, so it is a little discouraging.

If you are trying to get licensed in CA, I am pretty sure the three year rule applies to you too. Look around. I know I have seen many posts from Filipino graduates who had their packets thrown away after three years. The majority of them are unable to complete the concurrency requirements put up by the state of CA. It seems the concurrency situation was always a rule, but CA had not been enforcing it in the past. And now, they enforce it here and there. One person can be okayed, another person who graduated from the same program in the Philippines gets their app denied. Just look around, you will find threads/posts talking about this.

One other concern should be how long will your school maintain your course transcripts?

There are many schools in the PH that simply do not keep any records after 3-4 years and trying to get the original transcripts as a requirement for some US BON's to review or for the various evaluation agencies to make their assessment of your college courses evaluation, only to find their fear of securing the needed paperwork just vanished for good.

There are several posters who tried to get their license endorsed from another state into CA (just as one sample state), who had a job offer in hand, only to have either application either become abandoned or rejected or go into suspense due to their schools destroyed their transcripts and any records.

steppybay brings up a very good point about the difficulty retrieving transcripts, the problem has been discussed a few times on AN. It might be best to return to the US, become licensed and work as a RN for a year or so, then if you still want to go to medical school, keep your nursing license active as a back up plan.

Suggest you use the time spent working as a RN, to do due diligence in regards to opportunities for international medical grads in the US.