SS # in California

carvanaragon · Feb 4, 2005

hi philrn,

I am also a Filipina RN now in California. You can take the NCLEX even without the SSN. The problem will come later on when you pass the exam, you will not be issued your license without an SSN.

I hope Suzanne will read your post so she will respond to your concern. Try to go over the previous threads posted regarding NCLEX matters. She has a lot of helpful posts related to this.

Goodluck.

fergus51 · Feb 4, 2005

You can be issued an interim lisence without a SS# once you've passed the NCLEX. You can work with that and simply send in your SS# when you get it and they'll send you your permanent lisence.

suzanne4, RN · Feb 4, 2005

I would forget the CGFNS exam, there is no reason that you need it, especially if you plan to work in California. California actually does their own credentials review and doesn't use CGFNS. That being said, I would not recommend that you go for initial licensure in CA as they will not issue you a hard copy license until you have a SSN#. The problem with this is if you decide that you do not wish to work in CA, you have a pbig problem trying to endorse to another state.

If you are going to school in the Philippines, it is almost useless for you to get an interim permit, almost none of the hospitals where you would wish to work will hire you without having taken NCLEX.

If you are attneding school in the US, then it is another thing. Then I would recommend that you apply for an OPT, if you ae on a student visa before you graduate which will give you a year to get your papers in order. And I hope that you are aware that there is a delay in nurses coming to the US to work from the Philippines. I would continue to get all of my documents together during this time.

You need the English exams as well as a Visa Screen Certificate for working in the US. If you can be a little more specific about you, then I can give you more information.

suzanne4, RN · Feb 4, 2005

You can be issued an interim lisence without a SS# once you've passed the NCLEX. You can work with that and simply send in your SS# when you get it and they'll send you your permanent lisence.

She needs a visa to be able to work in the US, and those are being delayed for nurses from the Philippines right now. That is where the biggest problem is.

philrn · Feb 4, 2005

I would forget the CGFNS exam, there is no reason that you need it, especially if you plan to work in California. California actually does their own credentials review and doesn't use CGFNS. That being said, I would not recommend that you go for initial licensure in CA as they will not issue you a hard copy license until you have a SSN#. The problem with this is if you decide that you do not wish to work in CA, you have a pbig problem trying to endorse to another state.
If you are going to school in the Philippines, it is almost useless for you to get an interim permit, almost none of the hospitals where you would wish to work will hire you without having taken NCLEX.
If you are attneding school in the US, then it is another thing. Then I would recommend that you apply for an OPT, if you ae on a student visa before you graduate which will give you a year to get your papers in order. And I hope that you are aware that there is a delay in nurses coming to the US to work from the Philippines. I would continue to get all of my documents together during this time.
You need the English exams as well as a Visa Screen Certificate for working in the US. If you can be a little more specific about you, then I can give you more information.

My aunt is a nurse in LA and said that she can help me find an employer there. She told me that all I have to do is to pass the NCLEX after I pass the licensure exam here in the Philippines. Will a tourist visa help me in obtaining a working visa if I pass the exam. Regarding the English exams, I'm planning to take the IELTS while waiting for my ATT. Do you know any state that allows foreign graduates to take the NCLEX even without a SS number? I'm aware of the retrogression policies. Thanks.

suzanne4, RN · Feb 4, 2005

My aunt is a nurse in LA and said that she can help me find an employer there. She told me that all I have to do is to pass the NCLEX after I pass the licensure exam here in the Philippines. Will a tourist visa help me in obtaining a working visa if I pass the exam. Regarding the English exams, I'm planning to take the IELTS while waiting for my ATT. Do you know any state that allows foreign graduates to take the NCLEX even without a SS number? I'm aware of the retrogression policies. Thanks.

In order to apply for a change in status, which is what it is called if you have a tourist visa and are in the US, you must have a Visa Screen Certificate submitted with the documents. It takes about minimum of four months after you have passed NCLEX and the English exams before you can receive this. Right now with the new rulings in place, you will have a problem to get get a "work visa." You must be able to get a number assigned to you and this isn't happeneing right now. You need to figure about one year by the time that you are able to sit for NCLEX and get your Visa Screen Certificate if you haven't started anything as of yet.

You cannot apply to any state for licensure until you have a completed set of transcripts. You actually do not need to pass the exam in the Philippines before taking NCLEX, but I suggest that you do as you will have some time to wait, no matter what your aunt tells you. You need to allow about 4 to 6 months just to get your ATT letter, after you graduate, then you need to make an appt to take the exam, then wait for the Visa Screen Certificate. So there are no longer any quick fixes such as when your aunt first went to the US to work. Things are quite different now.

I recommend NY for everyone to get their initial license from. They will actually issue you a license without a SSN# and this makes it easy for you to endorse to any place else.

THere will only be three applicsations that you need: NY BON app, plus special credentials verification for NY, done by CGFNS as well as the Visa Screen applciation, also from CGFNS. The nice thing about the set up from NY, is that CGFNS will obtain all of the documentation for you, you just need to sign a release for them. This is the quickest and easiest.

Another informational update for you, there is no such thing as a working visa for nurses anymore. There is the green card, and an EAD which you receive if you are in the US and apply for a change of status, this allows you to work 90 days after the petition is submitted by your employer. But again remember that you must have the Visa Screen Certificate in hand when you apply for this change in status, or your documents will not be processed.

philrn · Feb 5, 2005

In order to apply for a change in status, which is what it is called if you have a tourist visa and are in the US, you must have a Visa Screen Certificate submitted with the documents. It takes about minimum of four months after you have passed NCLEX and the English exams before you can receive this. Right now with the new rulings in place, you will have a problem to get get a "work visa." You must be able to get a number assigned to you and this isn't happeneing right now. You need to figure about one year by the time that you are able to sit for NCLEX and get your Visa Screen Certificate if you haven't started anything as of yet.
You cannot apply to any state for licensure until you have a completed set of transcripts. You actually do not need to pass the exam in the Philippines before taking NCLEX, but I suggest that you do as you will have some time to wait, no matter what your aunt tells you. You need to allow about 4 to 6 months just to get your ATT letter, after you graduate, then you need to make an appt to take the exam, then wait for the Visa Screen Certificate. So there are no longer any quick fixes such as when your aunt first went to the US to work. Things are quite different now.
I recommend NY for everyone to get their initial license from. They will actually issue you a license without a SSN# and this makes it easy for you to endorse to any place else.
THere will only be three applicsations that you need: NY BON app, plus special credentials verification for NY, done by CGFNS as well as the Visa Screen applciation, also from CGFNS. The nice thing about the set up from NY, is that CGFNS will obtain all of the documentation for you, you just need to sign a release for them. This is the quickest and easiest.
Another informational update for you, there is no such thing as a working visa for nurses anymore. There is the green card, and an EAD which you receive if you are in the US and apply for a change of status, this allows you to work 90 days after the petition is submitted by your employer. But again remember that you must have the Visa Screen Certificate in hand when you apply for this change in status, or your documents will not be processed.

Thanks for the info. I'll be checking the NY BON.

terrablanca · Feb 3, 2011

You can be issued an interim lisence without a SS# once you've passed the NCLEX. You can work with that and simply send in your SS# when you get it and they'll send you your permanent lisence.

hi im also a filipina rn and an nclex passer- cali too. i wonder what interim license is? what's it for? been having problem on how to get my california license on hand. my nclex will be expiring 2 years from now.

Trauma Columnist · Feb 3, 2011

Please be aware that this thread is 5 years old. Retrogression is in place and there are no jobs for even US citizens.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Feb 3, 2011

hi im also a filipina rn and an nclex passer- cali too. i wonder what interim license is? what's it for? been having problem on how to get my california license on hand. my nclex will be expiring 2 years from now.

Interim permit is only applicable if you are already in the US with a work/immigrant visa