Getting a RN license in Texas.

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TheCommuter, BSN, RN

102 Articles; 27,612 Posts

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I'm in Utah right now, I graduate in July and we Plan on moving to Texas as soon as I've taken my boards, does this mean I can take my test here but have the results sent to TX and be licensed there?? Or am I completely misunderstanding what you said :)

Thanks!

If you don't ever plan on working in Utah, apply for licensure by examination through the Texas Board of Nursing. Make sure your nursing school does not send your paperwork and transcripts to the Utah Board of Nursing if your goal is to obtain a Texas nursing license.

Valnoslo

25 Posts

Hi,

I wanted to add my experience and hopefully some clarification to this process, as I am in the midst of it. It is a bit more tricky than it sounds and there are several different paths you can take, depending on your situation.

I recently graduated from a program in NH, where I was a resident. I had planned to move to TX to live with my boyfriend after I graduated. He was already living in TX. Both TX and NH are compact states.

First, if you are a new graduate (never licensed) and a resident/have domicile in a compact state you cannot apply for initial licensure in another compact state. You may only apply for licensure in that state that you declare your domicile (as in you have a legal address, hold a state ID, and receive mail at). When you fill out your application for initial licensure for a states BON you must give an address. You also cannot get your fingerprints/background check down without a legal ID from the state whose BON you are applying to.

This is important to understand, because in order to even get your approval to test (to take the NCLEX) you must apply to a BON and have your fingerprints/background check done (as well as verifying that you graduated a program). So, its not as simple as having your results sent to whatever BON you like. (If you don't already know about the process for taking the NCLEX I recommend going to the NCSBN website: www.ncsbn.org/nclex to learn more and/or talking with your nursing adivsor at school).

So if you are a new graduate living outside of Texas, in a compact state, your options are:

Wait until you move to TX (or at least have a permanent address in TX and get your IDs) to begin the application process with the BON, receive your approval to test, and take your NCLEX (which you can take at any Pearson Vue testing center). The down side to this choice is you may have to wait until you get to TX to even start the process, and it will probably delay your getting a license (most of my classmates who stayed in NH have already scheduled test dates, and I don't anticipate I will be able to schedule until late Jun/early July). The plus side is you only pay ONE fee- your initial application fee (see below) (This is what I choose to do, and I only paid $139 to the TBON)

OR

Complete the application process in your current home state, take the NCLEX, then endorse your license to TX. The downside of this choice is you end up paying TWO fees- an initial licensure fee to your first state and then an endorsement fee to TX. (If I had done this I would have paid $120 to NH and then another $200 to TX to endorse... and I never intended to work in NH). You can work for up to 30 days in TX on a compact state license. That being said, this option may be better if you don't have a set place to live in TX yet and you don't have the finances to get set up there without already having a job/etc.

My situation was unique. Since my boyfriend already lived in TX and i planned on moving into his home, I used his address (which is now mine also!) on my application to the TX BON. I also planned this from the beginning of school, so I anticipated not being able to work for a few months after graduation, while I went through this process. Unfortunately I wasn't able to change over my drivers ID until I got to Texas after graduation, so I am still waiting to get my fingerprints done. It's been frustrating, but this is the way that worked best for me.

I really recommend calling the Texas BON if you have questions and your own states BON. Also, this website explains compact states a bit better:

https://www.ncsbn.org/nlc.htm and https://www.ncsbn.org/2011_NLCA_factsheet_students_Rev_Jan_2011.pdf

The texas BON website: Texas Board of Nursing has numbers you can call (and they were pretty friendly and helpful the couple times I called).

I am sorry this was a bit long- I hope it was helpful to some of you! I had quite a time figuring it all out..

Valerie

tmlj

1 Post

I have my RN license in OK, and I want to volunteer as an RN for CampCamp this summer. I need to have my TX license. What do I need to apply for a TX RN License? Thanks

TheCommuter, BSN, RN

102 Articles; 27,612 Posts

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I have my RN license in OK, and I want to volunteer as an RN for CampCamp this summer. I need to have my TX license. What do I need to apply for a TX RN License? Thanks
Visit the Texas Board of Nursing website to find out the steps to attain a TX RN license.

fyijj02

9 Posts

Hey,

I had a question. Did the Texas BON give u a temporary permit till they received all your documentation?

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