VT BRN requires local license for eligibility

Yes, that's true. It's been that way for quite sometime. You can visit VT's website and download the application form for foreign-educated nurses and you can read it there.

New Mexico has also very recently (Feb.1, 2008) changed their requirements as well. They now require CGFNS' CES done or the equivalent from another 3rd party transcript evaluator (see the latest application form for the list of credited evaluators in their website) first and be part of the application form. All application forms submitted w/o it is considered incomplete and will be returned.

All instructions are embedded on their application form.

We have actually been hearing for some time that CA is actually in the process of changing their requirements to include the necessity of having the local license before they will let someone sit for the NCLEX exam.

There has been a big problem with people coming over on a tourist visa as soon as they graduate and overstaying their visa since there have not been any jobs available and trying to work illegally here, and they have been getting caught and deported.

And add into the fact that to get a green card now, there is about a five year wait, and you need to have experience. Not having the local license, and you are unable to get experience in your country or any other since the others require the local license.

If one has a local license, then they can go and get experience some place and have a better skill set to bring to the US.