CO licensing process after school in another state

[Southern Magnolia]

Hello,

I will be graduating in December with my BSN and plan to move to Denver from Arizona. My husband has already been transferred there for work, so we are definitely moving. I have a few questions about the licensing process.

I plan to apply for licensure by examination and take the NCLEX in CO since that seems like the simplest option - and recommended by hospitals I have applied with. I just want to make sure I understand the process. I have called and emailed the BON (DORA) but haven't really gotten my questions answered.

Specifically I want to confirm that I HAVE to wait until my degree posts and I have my transcript with degree posted to file anything with the BON and innate the licensing/ NCLEX process. (In AZ you file everything a couple of months before graduation and then the school updates the BON when you graduate). My understanding is that once I have my transcript I can file with the BON, wait for the ATT, and then wait for a test date, and then wait again for my license to post. Is this correct? When does one apply with Pearson?

My concern is that my degree will not post until early January so I can not even initiate the process until then. UCH wants applicants for the new grad program to have tested by January 17th/ licensed by February 10th. Of course I have no idea if I'll even get an interview with them, but it will stink to get in and then not be able to take the job because I do not have my license yet.

I have already paid extra for my degree posting to be expedited with my university and plan to hand deliver my application to the BON if at all possible. How long should I expect it to take from that point to ATT? From ATT to NCLEX date? And from passed NCLEX to CO License?

Thank you.

[NICU RN :)]

Yes, you do have to wait for your official transcript to post with your nursing degree listed on it to file anything with DORA. I would definitely go and hand in your application in person, mine was processed a lot faster than my friends that mailed theirs in. In my experience I took my NCLEX about one month after I graduated. I turned my application in the day I got my official transcript, I received my ATT the next week, took my NCLEX about two weeks later, and my license number was posted on DORA the following week. However, my friend turned hers in the same day and it took her about two months to get through the whole process. It kind of just depends on how quick the person assigned to your file takes to process it all.

[Southern Magnolia]

Thank you so much NICU RN :) Hopefully I get whoever processed your application:)

[Jude19, BSN]

Southern Magnolia, What are you using as your proof of residency? I don't have a Colorado Drivers license yet and am wondering if that will cause a hiccup in the application process.

[Southern Magnolia]

I will switch my DL next week. We are renting a house until ours is finished so I'm hoping that lease will be enough to get my license in CO. We are flying tomorrow so are full fledged residents starting tomorrow. My hubby has been there since June and we've had a PO box there since then but I called and that wasn't enough. I would definitely try to get your license changed. Best of luck. I'm praying my degree posts on time and I get my transcripts next week.

[Jude19, BSN]

I actually got my CO license last week. The problem is that it takes up to 30 days to actually receive the physical license. One person at DONA told me it was OK to use the temporary license and another said it wasn't. I would recommend that you get the gas and/or electric bill in your name and your name only. Then you can use that as your proof of residency.

[Southern Magnolia]

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, we are in a furnished (all expenses included) rental right now - so no bill except the rent. I'm going this afternoon to see if that will work. Also thought maybe I could switch one of my credit cards to the new address and show that since it says electronic versions accepted. We'll see. I won't get my transcript till next week but I want to have everything ready to go.

[Southern Magnolia]

I just got my temp CO license and the guys said 7-10 days. With the holiday I'm guessing it will be 10 days. It's going to be a race to see if I can take the NCLEX in time. Provided I get the position I am interviewing for . I'm starting to think I just should have applied in AZ and transferred my nursing license. In AZ you apply to the BON before graduation and everything is in the works for your ATT as soon as you graduate. They did take my lease agreement as proof of address thankfully. Might have helped that I had a CO license 10 years ago.