Can you apply for a license in two states when you pass your exam?

[Kaitlyn.w]

Hello! I am currently a nursing student in Florida, however hope to move to New York and continue nursing. I will have to save up a lot and get some experience before trying to apply, since I've heard it's competitive. So once I pass my exam, can I apply for both a New York and Florida license?

[chare]

When you apply to take the NCLEX you can only apply for initial licensure in a single state. When you select this state for initial licensure, it can be any state you wish. In your case, if you plan on relocating shortly after graduation, and do not plan on working in Florida, you could apply for initial licensure in New York. If you plan on working initially in Florida, apply for licensure there, and when you are closer to relocating, apply for licensure, by endorsement in New York.

Other than moving from one compact state to another, endorsing your license to another state does bothingntonyour initial license. And, aside from only being allowed to be licensed in one compact state, with a license granting multi-state privileges, you can be licensed in as many states as you wish.

Best wishes.