What states allow you to challenge the NCLEX-PN?

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students Nursing Q/A

What states allow you to challenge the NCLEX-PN?

I am a student nurse & I've passed everything but my last class of the RN program (critical care). Because I failed this class by 2.5 points on my exam, I am unable to graduate & am being asked to take the LPN course & then re-enroll into the RN program after working as a full time LPN for 6 months. I feel that's far too long after I've already spent this long to get my RN! I would like to get my LPN ASAP. I can't find any solid information about it anywhere but I've heard that medics in the military & other RN students have challenged the NCLEX-PN to get their license. Any info would be appreciated. Thank you for your time!

58 Answers

Specializes in hospice.

A poster on another thread said New Hampshire and Vermont allow that, but they're the only two left. Hopefully someone will be able to confirm.

I also failed nursing during my last semester which has been devastating. Nevertheless, I was lucky to find and successfully challenged the LPN exam through the Florida Board of Nursing. It was actually fast. I sent the application less than a month or so and have already been approved to sit for the NCLEX PN.  I think it was approved fast mainly because I was not eligible to apply for a compact license. However, it is possible to apply for endorsement at your current state after obtaining it, which is what I will do in order to practice in my state. I have already scheduled the exam and just started studying for it. I definitely recommend going with Florida.

Don't hesitate to message me or anybody that needs extra guidance. 

Good luck!! :)) 

Specializes in PACU.

You might have to look at thr website of each individual state BON. I believe the option to do that have gone the way of the dodo in many states.

Equivalent education can be submitted in lieu of paid bedside experience for method 3, challenge of LVN in the state of CA. Go to the BVNPT CA website and see the link under licensing. Unfortunately, by the time you could get all of this approved, you most likely could have gone through the entire process and finished your redo of the RN program. Not exaggerating here. Check it out, but be aware that anything dealing with licensing in CA takes forever, no matter what the circumstances. Introduce special situation or a problem and you are asking for even more delay.

Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

AZ you have to have completed theory and clinical in geri, med/surg, OB, Peds, and psych in order to sit for LPN. My program as OB/Peds in third semester and psych in fourth with critical care so we have to take an LPN 6 week course after block 2 to sit for LPN, but the school my friend goes to has their program set up that you can just sit for LPN after completing either block 2 or block 3 (don't remember which).

Basically, there are states, but submitting your education verification from out of state would take some time. You can try calling the AZ BON (or other states) and just ask if they would allow you to challenge the PN with your current education level.

Also, have you tried to appeal the dismissal to get re admitted to fourth semester so you don't have to completely repeat everything?

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

CA method 3 LVN license is not endorsable to other states. NH may still have the option. NJ NY do not. I don't believe PA either. Apparently FL does

Be aware that, even if another state will allow you to do this on the basis of the portion of RN education you've completed and you get licensed as an LPN in another state, you may run into problems trying to endorse that license into your current state (because you would (still) not meet the educational requirements for LPN licensure in your current state, and that usually still matters even if you have a license from another state). I would check that out with the BON and be sure it would be possible before I put any money or effort into getting an LPN license in another state (unless you're willing to relocate, of course, in which case it wouldn't be an issue).

Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
splewis said:

Karla R 

Thank you for sharing your story. I had a similar situation. I Challenged the Florida Board of nursing and passed on the first try; but I wanted to know if any other states endorsed your license or did you move to Florida?

You can always check BON requirements for licensure on their website. If it states a requirement is to have completed a practical nursing program, it is very unlikely you would be able to endorse a license via challenging NCLEX to that state. 

Specializes in LTC.
On 3/8/2022 at 1:51 AM, Karla R said:

HI!!

I also failed nursing during my last semester which has been devastating. Nevertheless, I was lucky to find and successfully challenged the LPN exam through the Florida Board of Nursing. It was actually fast. I sent the application less than a month or so and have already been approved to sit for the NCLEX PN.  I think it was approved fast mainly because I was not eligible to apply for a compact license. However, it is possible to apply for endorsement at your current state after obtaining it, which is what I will do in order to practice in my state. I have already scheduled the exam and just started studying for it. I definitely recommend going with Florida.

Don't hesitate to message me or anybody that needs extra guidance. 

Good luck!! :)) 

Hey what’s the process of changeling PN NCLEX? I see that you have to submit some documents to your school to sign and am afraid they won’t sign it, am on my last semester of RN but afraid that I won’t pass so I might try PN NCLEX.

It's very unfair. They also denied my appeal to retake the class and withdrew me from the program. They stated that the criteria were based on GPA and other requirements and I did not qualify to retake the class. Plus, the program is on hold because they are on probation with the BON. 

With not mentioning, they did not tell the students what kind of EXIT exam was going to be. HESI, ATI or Kaplan. They gave us the Kaplan exit exam which was very difficult. 

Hi Karla,

My school won't complete the LPN paperwork, is there any other way to challenge? 

Specializes in Nursing Student.
Julie123 said:

Hi. Sorry I'm just seeing you message.  
I challenged the LPN board and just passed thank god!  I spoke with professor ----------- and she sent my email to the right people to get my forms I need to challenge and they sent them in to the boards.  -------- is really helpful.  My plan is to challenge RN boards with the 30 unit option once I get my license endorsed if they allow.  I'm waiting on endorsement now but will take 3-4 weeks per California board.  

Hello, can you message me? I need help. I didn't pass 3 questions and am not allowed a second try due to the capstone retake being considered a try so I want to try the application process. Some of my emails are being ignored or not being sent I'm not sure. so I want to ensure I speak to the right people. Not sure who I can speak to or how to apply.

My email is [email protected].

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