Clarification: Reciprocity vs. Endorsement

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Once you get a license in the US in your initial state, and that means having a an actual license number assigned to you, you are free to endorse that license to another state. But not until you have the actual license number. When you take the NCLEX for CA, Florida, or other states that will not grant an actual license until you have a SSN#, you do not have a license to practice as an RN in the US, so therefore cannot endorse. They only give you a piece of paper that states that you have passed NCLEX exam, but it is not a license. They can verify that you have passed NCLEX for the Visa Screen Certificate, but they cannot verify a license, and that is what is required for endorsement.

Once you take the NCLEX exam, the exam has reciprocity. Meaning that you do not need to take it for another state, your score is accepted by all states.

To endorse, the exam score can be used, but that is only one part of the licensing process. Some states have language requirements, others have extra classes that need to be done, like Florida and NY. Each state can also set their own curriculum requirements, and it may be more stringent than what is required for the VSC. It is up to the individual state.

Hope that this helps clear up things for you.

CA will require the SSN#, even for endorsement. No way around that. It is a permanent license and it requires proof that you can legally work in the US.

Having a nursing license from another state is just that. A license does not give you authority to work in the US, you must have a SSN# to do it legally.

NY does require the CVS, even if you endorse.

ca will require the ssn#, even for endorsement. no way around that. it is a permanent license and it requires proof that you can legally work in the us.

having a nursing license from another state is just that. a license does not give you authority to work in the us, you must have a ssn# to do it legally.

ny does require the cvs, even if you endorse.

ok suzanne, thanks. but do you think ny will ask for ssn if one endorses his/her license from another state to ny after getting a cvs also? thanks again.

hello everyone!..i'm a nurse from the philippines...i've read this whole thread and somehow decided that i'll apply to the NY BON..but i've been thinking also of vermont since there' s no need for cg cert and ces so it means that i'll be saving about 270 dollars if ever I choose that route.. my question however is what if i dont get petitioned by an employer in vermont and my license expires? can i renew my license without ever having worked in that state?..and to what states can i get endorsed to which doesnt require ces/cvs?..are there such states?..thanks!

Hi Suzanne! I'm new here. Glad to discover this forum. It's so helpful for us nurses. Anyways, i have several questions that i want to ask you. I'm a RN in Phils. and is waiting for my Packet 4. I took and passed my Nclex Exam last Dec. 2005 under Vermont state. I already had my Vermont License with me. The problem is, my employer will be in Florida and they asked me to process my reciprocity and Verification of License. How long will it take to process this? And will i need CES since it's one of the Florida's requirement? Do i need to process my endorsement of License here in Phils. or i can process it there? What about the finger printing that they require and SSS #? Will i be paid by RN rate or Patient care technician rate if my endorsement still in process and I'm already there? I heard there's a temporary License issued by state when you have an existing license. When is the best time to apply for that? and how long does it takes to complete? Lastly, From your observation, How long will it take from the time of Visa Case completed to Packet 4 and Interview date? Hope to hear from you. Thank you in advance. God bless!

hello everyone!..i'm a nurse from the philippines...i've read this whole thread and somehow decided that i'll apply to the NY BON..but i've been thinking also of vermont since there' s no need for cg cert and ces so it means that i'll be saving about 270 dollars if ever I choose that route.. my question however is what if i dont get petitioned by an employer in vermont and my license expires? can i renew my license without ever having worked in that state?..and to what states can i get endorsed to which doesnt require ces/cvs?..are there such states?..thanks!

Again, do not pick a state for that reason only. You need to take into account where you do plan on working and what that state actually requires.

If your goal is to work in NY, then there is no reason at all ot get licensed in VT first, NY still will requie the CVS. Many states will still require the CES. And you will need to do that.

Vermont is good for some, but not all. You need to do your own research on what will be the best route for you to take.

Hi Suzanne! I'm new here. Glad to discover this forum. It's so helpful for us nurses. Anyways, i have several questions that i want to ask you. I'm a RN in Phils. and is waiting for my Packet 4. I took and passed my Nclex Exam last Dec. 2005 under Vermont state. I already had my Vermont License with me. The problem is, my employer will be in Florida and they asked me to process my reciprocity and Verification of License. How long will it take to process this? And will i need CES since it's one of the Florida's requirement? Do i need to process my endorsement of License here in Phils. or i can process it there? What about the finger printing that they require and SSS #? Will i be paid by RN rate or Patient care technician rate if my endorsement still in process and I'm already there? I heard there's a temporary License issued by state when you have an existing license. When is the best time to apply for that? and how long does it takes to complete? Lastly, From your observation, How long will it take from the time of Visa Case completed to Packet 4 and Interview date? Hope to hear from you. Thank you in advance. God bless!

I highly recommend that you start the process for Florida now. They will not issue you a license until you actually give them a SSN# and you will not get that until you arrive in the US.

About payment, those are things that you need to speak with your employer about.

Finger printing can be done with you still in the Philippines. Do not wait until you get to the US to start the process.

How long ago did you complete packet#3?

Thank you so much suzanne. About my Packet3, my case was completed last May 4, 2006. Anyways, do i still need to apply for CES?:p

I highly recommend that you start the process for Florida now. They will not issue you a license until you actually give them a SSN# and you will not get that until you arrive in the US.

About payment, those are things that you need to speak with your employer about.

Finger printing can be done with you still in the Philippines. Do not wait until you get to the US to start the process.

How long ago did you complete packet#3?

Hello Suzanne!

I am RN from Israel. On this forum i find a lot of good information, thank you for helping! My status is: waiting for reciept of USCIS (texas).

Could you tell me, how much need i pay for endorsment , and to whom? I didn't find any information according to it. The endorsment is from Vermont to NY. Thank you.

Hello Suzanne!

I am RN from Israel. On this forum i find a lot of good information, thank you for helping! My status is: waiting for reciept of USCIS (texas).

Could you tell me, how much need i pay for endorsment , and to whom? I didn't find any information according to it. The endorsment is from Vermont to NY. Thank you.

You cannot directly endorse to NY, you must go thru the CVS process of CGFNS for NY. They will not endorse you without that. You are looking at several months with that. Is NY where you will be working?

For NY, you will need to get the special credentials verification called the CVS, done thru CGFNS; as well as the application called "License by Endorsement" from the BON for that state. It will give you all fees there.

You cannot directly endorse to NY, you must go thru the CVS process of CGFNS for NY. They will not endorse you without that. You are looking at several months with that. Is NY where you will be working?

For NY, you will need to get the special credentials verification called the CVS, done thru CGFNS; as well as the application called "License by Endorsement" from the BON for that state. It will give you all fees there.

Thank you Suzanne for responding! I've started the CVS for New-York state, it is written there that my report mailed. Could you tell me what is the mean? I am going to work in NY city, and i hope to be there by begining of next year. Like i said, I wait now for USCIS approvel. How much time ,do you think it will take till the end of the process?

Thank you !

If the report has been mailed, NY will usually notify you in about two weeks or so. Since you already have passed the NCLEX exam, you are just waiting for the NY license.

hello. i'm new here. i'm an RN here in the Philippines. I plan to work in New York and hoping to acquire my license directly from New York. However, as I was filling up Form 1 of NY BON application, I was unable to answer one question regarding citizenship/immigration status since I have no employer/sponsor yet from NY, USA. Should I just leave this blank and proceed with the application? I'm not sure...but is this the reason why most applicants go through the state of Vermont and then later apply by endorsement to New York? Please enlighten me... thank you very much!!

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