Can you change state licensure??

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Hi I am an RN from the UK, I understand that certain American states require foreign nurses to take the CGFNS exam, but others do not. Obviously I would rather not do this as I have enough going on as it is!! Is it fairly simple to apply to one State Board of Nursing (to do the NCLEX) that doesn't require the CGFNS, say California, and then change the state licensure to the state where I actually want to work, Texas? Would the Texas board still require me to do the CGFNS anyway, making all this 'swapping' pointless?? Confused...receive a lot of vague information but it's so hard to get detailed facts..thanks

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Hi I am an RN from the UK, I understand that certain American states require foreign nurses to take the CGFNS exam, but others do not. Obviously I would rather not do this as I have enough going on as it is!! Is it fairly simple to apply to one State Board of Nursing (to do the NCLEX) that doesn't require the CGFNS, say California, and then change the state licensure to the state where I actually want to work, Texas? Would the Texas board still require me to do the CGFNS anyway, making all this 'swapping' pointless?? Confused...receive a lot of vague information but it's so hard to get detailed facts..thanks

Some states allow reciprocity with California licenses; others may require you to take a test. So it depends on which state you are going to.

Non-CGFNS states include:

1. CALIFORNIA 
2. ARIZONA 
3. OHIO 
4. NEW YORK 
5. MARYLAND 
6. GEORGIA 
7. FLORIDA 
8. ILLINOIS 
9. SOUTH CAROLINA 
10. HAWAII 
11. NEW MEXICO
12. VERMONT
13. OREGON
14. NEVADA
15. COLORADO
16. KANSAS
17. TEXAS
18. MINNESOTA
19. ARKANSAS
20. SOUTH CAROLINA
21. KENTUCKY

In a previous post, Silverdragon102 said, Why even need a list of CGFNS or non-CGFNS States?

There are about 50 States and US territories that one can apply for US licensure. It would be better to just pick a handful of States or territories you would consider to work initially or endorse down the road and go to their website and see the requirements yourselves. In fact, most likely you will just end up with one State or US territory to apply for initial licensure and another one for endorsement down the road.

Also, requirements for foreign-educated nurses change very often and so a list of CGFNS or non-CGFNS State would always change overtime and so if you happen to see a previous list of it and you make a decision base on that list, w/c in most cases would have been changes by the time you apply then you would have chosen a State to apply for licensure on a wrong premise. Not to mention, that once you apply you will be downloading the most up-to-date Application Form from their website anyway and see their updated requirements for it. If the updated application form says one thing and the "master-list" says another, you only follow what is on the application form and not on the list that someone did months or years ago.

Also, another thing that many do not realize is that there are also endorsement requirements that also varies from one BON to another and it does not necessarily mean that if one was able to apply initially on a State that does not need any CGFNS service that they can easily endorse to a State that needed it. Some BON do still require that one to go through the CVS for NY or a CGFNS CES if endorsing to them regardless if you are already licensed on another State and like I said endorsement requirements can change as well, much as the same way requirements for initial licensure can so it will also be mistake to make a list of endorsement requirements as well.

CGFNS Web Site: http://www.cgfns.org/sections/tools/faq/cp.shtml

NCSBN Web Site: https://www.ncsbn.org/515.htm

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the International forum

Many US nurses have more than 1 state license. Travel nurses for example can have many. As long as you meet state requirements and have passed NCLEX then a license will be issued and you have to maintain it to keep it valid, ie meet state requiremetns when due for renewal. There are only about 4-5 states that require CGFNS exam most just require CGFNS CES which is a evaluation of your transcripts. I have 2 US licenses

As a UK nurse depending on your training you may find that you are short in some hours. US training requires both clinical and theory in all areas and UK training tends to be a bit more specialised. You really need to decide on which state you want to work in and apply to that state because as mentioned even if you have a license issued (not all states will issue a license without a SSN and you can't get that until in the US on a valid work/immigrant visa) when endorsing you still have to meet requirements

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Moved to the International forum

Many US nurses have more than 1 state license. Travel nurses for example can have many. As long as you meet state requirements and have passed NCLEX then a license will be issued and you have to maintain it to keep it valid, ie meet state requiremetns when due for renewal. There are only about 4-5 states that require CGFNS exam most just require CGFNS CES which is a evaluation of your transcripts. I have 2 US licenses

As a UK nurse depending on your training you may find that you are short in some hours. US training requires both clinical and theory in all areas and UK training tends to be a bit more specialised. You really need to decide on which state you want to work in and apply to that state because as mentioned even if you have a license issued (not all states will issue a license without a SSN and you can't get that until in the US on a valid work/immigrant visa) when endorsing you still have to meet requirements

Hi SD, I wonder if it is possible to apply for CES, have the school send the transcripts and then apply for a US license in years to come. Just as a way to keep the transcripts safe and validated in case something happens in one's country of initial education resulting in Universities closing and difficulties to obtain records.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

There is nothing stopping you applying for CES now but they do like there to be a official BON so they have somewhere to send the report. Doesn't mean you have to apply to the BON but for most there is nothing stopping you from applying and keeping license active whilst waiting

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Specializes in med/surg.

hi Silverdragon,

Looking for advice. i am a uk staff nurse and recently passed the course to make up hours(paed,mat etc) through brighton uni in the hopes of moving to usa once retro has been lifted. hoping to sit nclex at Pearson centre, london, june/july time. in the meantime can i apply for nurse licence for usa or do i need to wait until i have my nclex? also i want to go to arizona so what state should i apply to for the licence. thanks, jojo

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
hi Silverdragon,

Looking for advice. i am a uk staff nurse and recently passed the course to make up hours(paed,mat etc) through brighton uni in the hopes of moving to usa once retro has been lifted. hoping to sit nclex at Pearson centre, london, june/july time. in the meantime can i apply for nurse licence for usa or do i need to wait until i have my nclex? also i want to go to arizona so what state should i apply to for the licence. thanks, jojo

To get eligibility to sit NCLEX you need to apply to a state. As I posted in another thread I would suggest applying to the state you want to live in and meet their requirements for foreign trained nurse (for AZ you will need CES full course by course report)

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Specializes in med/surg.

thanks for your reply but what is the CES? Also I have received a card through to obtain fingerprints but this if stamped to be returned to california. Does this make a difference or does the fingerprint card need to be obtained from AZ too? Also, PearsonVue do not mention that I need anything from any nursing board to be presented on arrival in London to sit NCLEX exam so I was under the impression that I just applied to them and turned up with photo i.d. to sit exam. thanks

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Pearsonvue only administer the exam, for you to get eligibility and ATT(authorisation to test) you need to apply to a state board of nurse and meet requirements. CES is a credential evaluation of your transcripts and breaks down your transcripts to something the BON can look at and decide whether you meet their requirements or not. AZ will require their own fingerprint card and I can't remember if they require their own or not but should be able to get info from website. Depending on where you live in the UK you may find it hard getting them done

Starting point for you is to read

CGFNS

Arizona RN license application

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