How long after you graduate does it take you to take the NCLEX-PN in California?

Dec 26, 2009 09:20 PM written by JamGirl2425 | 3 Comments

How long after you graduate does it take you to take the NCLEX-PN in California?
My reason for needing to know is stated below.

Here's my story,
I moved back to California to live with my parents from Louisiana in 2008 because I was struggling with trying to take care of my daughter (no education, no great job). I'm an LPN student in Southern California, and my end date is Feb 8, 2010. I want to move back to Louisiana as soon as possible after graduation. Would it be better to take the PN exam here in California and then move to Louisiana? or Move and take the exam in Louisiana?

Note: If I take the exam in Cali, I have to wait to test and for my license, before I can apply for Endorsement in Louisiana(which takes 3-4 weeks).

Any help on this matter would be greatly apprciated!

**TheCommuter** · Dec 26, 2009, 10:15 PM

California graduates of LVN programs have at least a 3 month wait before they will be able to get licensed. Here was my personal time line:

1. I completed an LVN program in southern California on October 14
2. I received my authorization to test (ATT) on November 21
3. I actually took NCLEX-PN on December 28
4. I received my passing result in the mail on January 9
5. I mailed a $100 check to the California BVNPT (Bureau of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians) on January 9
6. The BVNPT cashed my check and issued me a license number on January 20
7. I endorsed my California LVN license into Texas; I mailed my packet to the Texas BNE on January 27, received a temporary Texas license on February 2, and was issued a permanent Texas LVN license on March 7.

As you can see, my process took over 3 months from graduation to the time I became licensed. You can take NCLEX in either California or Louisiana because it can be taken anywhere in the world where it is offered. If you plan to become initially licensed in California, there is no way around the wait.

JamGirl2425 · Dec 26, 2009, 10:43 PM

Just in case anyone get's a what the **** feeling from another post i made(I put that I grad in Feb 2010, because I wanted a quicker response), but I don't actually grad until Nov. 5, 2010.

Anywayz, thank you TheCommuter for responding, I don't want to be initially licensed here in California cause my life is basically in Louisiana. I don't ever see myself living in California permanently ever again.

But back to my question-So I can take the test in Louisiana , would I need to contact their State board to set it up?

**TheCommuter** · Dec 26, 2009, 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by JamNurse2425

But back to my question-So I can take the test in Louisiana , would I need to contact their State board to set it up?

You would need to apply for initial licensure in Louisiana. You would have to submit your application to the Louisiana BON, and they would need to review your education, check your background, and do other things.

I personally found the process of endorsing my license less complicated than having to apply for initial licensure. Since Texas was asking for things such as professional references before they would grant initial licensure (which I did not have since I had just become licensed in CA), I just took NCLEX in Texas, although my results were processed through the California BVNPT. After I received my California LVN license, I endorsed it into Texas.