A few licensing questions...

Silverdragon102, BSN · Oct 17, 2008

NCLEX is a national exam so regardless where you sit it ie the moon it will be the same. Would be easier to sit it for the state you did your training and then endorse but regardless on where you sat it when endorsing or applying for initial licensure you have to meet the BON requirements

Winnie04 · Oct 17, 2008

Hi,

The physical location where you take your NCLEX does not have anything to do with what state your school is in or what state you are planning to work in, because it is a national test and does not vary state-to-state. Once you know what state you want to work in after graduation, apply to that state's Board of Nursing for licensure. When you register for the NCLEX, you have to specify what state you're applying to for licensure, so that NCLEX can send your results to that state's board of nursing. For instance, if you went to school in MA, but had a job lined up in CO, you could apply for licensure in CO, and schedule your NCLEX for any physical location that is convenient (ie. while you are on vacation in FLA).

I am not 100% sure about the details of getting a new license in a new state if you move, so if anyone has experience, please share! I assume that you need to re-apply for licensure in your new state (but this is just an application and does not involve taking the NCLEX again). If you live in a region near state lines and you are licensed in your home state but want to work in the state next door, then you MAY be able to do that without getting a new license, IF both states are part of the "nurse licensure compact." I searched to try to get more info on this and the MD board of nursing site explains it pretty well: http://www.mbon.org/main.php?v=norm&p=0&c=msl/msl_info.html

NightshiftRN69 · Oct 18, 2008

Hi,

I went to school in MS but I knew I would be moving to another state so when I was setting up my NCLEX I applied to the state that I knew I would be moving to. I contacted the BON and requested a lincese package and filed out the paper work and had my finger prints done and sent my fees. With NCLEX you have to state which state you are appling for lincene in and it cost 50 dollars to change the state (at least it did 3 yrs ago). I took my test in MS and moved to a state in the north east. I had no problems at all. To me if you know you will be moving to a new state very soon after taking NCLEX it seems it would be easier to just apply to that state in the first place instead of appling for an endorsment. Although I have to admit I have not applied for an endorsment so I don't know that procees. Hope this helps. Good luck.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Oct 18, 2008

Hi,
I am not 100% sure about the details of getting a new license in a new state if you move, so if anyone has experience, please share! I assume that you need to re-apply for licensure in your new state (but this is just an application and does not involve taking the NCLEX again). If you live in a region near state lines and you are licensed in your home state but want to work in the state next door, then you MAY be able to do that without getting a new license, IF both states are part of the "nurse licensure compact." I searched to try to get more info on this and the MD board of nursing site explains it pretty well: http://www.mbon.org/main.php?v=norm&p=0&c=msl/msl_info.html

Once you hold the license, you can receive endorsements to your original license to work in other states. You are not re-applying for licensure; your original still stands. To receive an endorsement, you must meet the requirements for licensure in that State. Some states will not recognize some schools, or might require additional CEUs or coursework; it varies depending on the State BON. Most of the time, it's not a big deal: complete the paperwork, send in the fees, and that's about it. Sometimes, though, you can't GET the endorsement. Best to check with the State you're interested in working in, to make sure you have all the ducks in order.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Oct 20, 2008

YOu can take the test in any of 50 states, and two territories. HOWEVER, the paper trail can be a nightmare. The state has to determine if your school was accredited. Your home state already knows it is. Once you are licensed the licensing state has laws that govern how you maintain your license.