Cross-State NCLEX and Licensure

Contact the California BON and speak directly with someone. You aren't going to find what you need on an FAQ--you want to specifically know if California will accept your degree and your program.

The NCLEX is the same across the US.

When you apply for a license, they will ask what state you intend to practice in (or at least, that was on our Texas apps).

Congrats on getting in, BTW!

Can anyone recommend a good, basic FAQ or summary for the NCLEX and for state-specific licensure?

I just found out that I've been accepted into a second career program in Michigan (accelerated BSN). I will be moving to California at some point after graduation and am already thinking about how my degree here will translate into licensure in another state. I don't even know whether the NCLEX is a national test or state-specific, or if there is separate testing for licenses, above and beyond the NCLEX. I'm very new at this, in case you couldn't tell! Thanks for any help.

I would strongly suggest checking out the California Board of Registration in Nursing website, as it it very difficult to speak to someone directly via telephone and there is a great deal of information on this site. Obtaining a California RN license following passing NCLEX-RN in a different state is a long process.

It is good to be concerned about RN licensure, etc. but you will soon find out that the volume of studying you will be doing will keep you focused on the here and now, until you have completed you RN program. Still if you intend to practice in a state other than the one you have obtained initial licensure in it is smart to be prepared. Best of luck with your studies.

Thanks. I've gone through their website thoroughly and am not finding what I'm looking for--specifically, whether my program (which is a non-traditional BSN) will qualify as an acceptable one under the BON specifications--I can't even find those specifications (I'm assuming they involve a requisite number of clinical hours, specific classes etc.). If I were going the traditional BSN route I wouldn't be so concerned. Also, I'm not sure of whether I should go to California and take the NCLEX or take it in Michigan and get a license...or whether it makes a difference.

I'm hoping I can speak to a counsellor at my school about this, it's got me really flustered. If anyone has any other suggestions, I'd appreciate them

You are correct that the California Board of Registration educational standards for nursing programs eligible for licensure are not posted on their website, although they are referred to. It would probably be in your be interests to contact the California BORN and have them send you these educational standards so that you can compare them to your nursing program.

That being said, given that you are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN means that your nursing program curriculum meets the standards for your state as all nursing programs must be approved by the state in which they operate. When I applied for endorsement in California in the fall of 2003, they had dispensed with having the applicant send the transcripts from their generic nursing program ,taking the stance that if you meet eligiblity for NCLEX licensure then you meet their standards. You do have to send them proof of your license (see website for details).

You can call the Califronia BORN to speak with someone directly, just be prepared to wait on hold for a long period of time. They will answer your questions and are very helpful, just very understaffed.

Odds are that if your program is approved by your state BORN (which it must be for you to be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN) then you will be able to obtain your RN licensue by endorsement in California. However comparing your nursing program with the California BORN educational standards for generic nursing programs would be a good idea.