Out of state license?

westmidwest · May 25, 2010

nclex is the most convoluted process and you have to register with multiple agencies and its never clear exactly what you have to you, but you can figure that out later.

Nclex is the national exam take it once and its applicable to all states.

Our program director advised us to get a license in the state where our school is located and then apply for reciprocity in the state you want to work. Its slightly more expensive, in my case 50 dollars, but the state board of nursing knows your school in your, so the licensing process is easier. If you apply for license in another state you have to provide a ton more material cuz that state board does not know your school. Case in point, I took the advice, applied for my license in IL, got my authorization to test quick, license a few weeks later, applied for reciprocity in CA and now have my CA license. My friend applied directly to CA and the he had to send paperwork after paperwork, almost 2 months later he can take the exam, then 4 more weeks for the license. I highly recommend you get licensed in the state your school is located.

Hushdawg · May 25, 2010

Bear in mind that if you are moving to a state which is a member of the NLC that if you do not have legal residence (physical address) in that state then you will only be issued a single-state license instead of the multi-state license.

If that is the case, it is better to be licensed in your resident state first, then endorse when you move so that you can get the multi-state license.

Otherwise it just takes a bit longer to evaluate your eligibility from one state to another; otherwise it's not an issue.

yogamom · May 25, 2010

Thank you so much! That's exactly the information I was looking for. Thanks for your help :)

pers · May 25, 2010

I tested outside the state I went to school in and had no problems. We were actually encouraged to test in the state we planned to practice since you may be waiting a while on endorsement and/or have issues completing their requirements. I tested years after graduating but my experience with endorsement is what I was told to expect as I'm still waiting on my permanent license by endorsement and I passed the NCLEX in March (I also applied for a temp license though so I am able to work).

I'd encourage you to check with the BON in the state you plan to work and find out what their requirements are for both licensure by exam and endorsement. I know that some states won't issue a license by endorsement to new grads who haven't worked a certain number of hours as a nurse. Kentucky is one such state and requires you to complete a clinical internship of 120 hours if you haven't worked elsewhere. I'm not sure if new grads are paid for the internship or not but I do believe it is up to them to find a place to do it so just completing the hours can be challenging.

hecallsmeDuchess · May 25, 2010

Thanks OP for posting this question and to all that answered. I'm in a similar situation: I live in a compact state where I went to nursing school and listed as my primary state but will be moving to another compact state after taking my NCLEX next month and I didn't quite know what to do. Thanks, I think I understand the process a little better.

aura_of_laura · May 25, 2010

It's not too complicated.

I graduated in Pennsylvania, got a job in Wisconsin but lived across the river in Minnesota. Moved the day after graduation... I applied to take the NCLEX in Minneapolis, but I tested for a Wisconsin license.

Voila! Wisconsin license granted in the normal timeframe, and I was ready to work. If you test in your home state for a home state license, you'll have to wait for six weeks to get one in another state. Compact states are the exception, so I'd check that out first!