Can I take NCLEX in a different state?

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OK, this is probably a stupid question, but here goes:

I graduate in June with my ASN. My husband works in DC, but we live in a different state. We are planning on spending the summer in DC after I graduate so we can all be together, but will come back to our home state so I can find a job and start my RN-BSN in the fall. He thinks I can take the NCLEX in DC and, assuming I pass (pretty sure I will), transfer my license to our home state. I'm pretty sure he is wrong, but couldn't find specific info on that. Thoughts?

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You apply for a license from whatever State you want to work in. You take the NCLEX in whatever location is convenient for you; it's a national exam and the State in which you take it doesn't matter. The Pearson Vue Testing Center where you take the exam transmits your results to the State Board of Nursing where you have applied for licensure...and they either grant it or deny it. If you meet the criteria for obtaining a license, typically the passing of the NCLEX is the last step and you get the license upon passing :)

You an apply for an endorsement of your license (once you are licensed, obviously) to another State, if you wish to work somewhere else later on. You'd need to meet the criteria for THAT State's licensing of course, and pay the fees to have an active license there as well.

Good luck!

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I agree with the comment above, my friend applied for her license in her home state an took the NCLEX exam in another. Once she took the exam and passed (Yay!!) her licensure info was posted in her home stater registry on the Board of nursing site. Best of luck to you!

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Yes, you apply for the state that you want to work in and you can take the test anywhere since it's a national exam. I am taking the exam in Iowa but I applied for the state of FL to work in. :D

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Awesome, thanks for all your helpful replies! I guess the thing I was confused about was, I thought that applying in the state you want to work meant that you have to take the test in that state. For once, I am glad I was wrong! :-)

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Is the NCLEX harder in a different state or it's the same ?

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
Anitajump50 said:

Is the NCLEX harder in a different state or it's the same ?

NCLEX is a national exam. It doesn't matter where you take it, it will be the same test.

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