Confusion about being licensed in different state.

Reno1978, BSN, RN · Apr 27, 2011

Find the Board of Nursing's webpage for FL. Look for an application for RN license by EXAMINATION and follow the directions. Contrary to what people tell you, you DO NOT have to get your license in the state you went to school in. You can apply for a FL license, take the NCLEX in MI, and be all set when you move to FL with your license in hand. It appears that they accept online applications, but the paper application is here: http://doh.state.fl.us/mqa/nursing/ap_licensure-RN-LPN.pdf

Looks like it consists of filling out the application and paying your fees, and requesting your transcripts from your school to be sent to the FL BON.

GOOD LUCK!

Reno1978, BSN, RN · Apr 27, 2011

Just another point, when you do get your approval to take the NCLEX, you get to select the facility you take the test at (Michigan for example) and the licensing body that you have an outstanding application at (Florida for example).

Mrs. SnowStormRN, RN · Apr 27, 2011

Yes, you can test in Michigan but obtain a Florida license. You will need a Florida application but your testing center will be in Michigan. I took my boards in VA but I am licensed in MD (I just filled out the MD app, when I called to make my appt they asked me where I would like to test and since Alexandria, VA was closer to me I chose that location) GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!

damstops · Apr 27, 2011

Hello there. I badly need your advice. Please Help.

1. I took the nclex here in the Philippines last march, unfortunately I failed.

2. Now I'm planning to retake this june. Prob is:

3. State of CA no longer accepts applicants for nclex without SS num. They advised me to apply in NY, New Mexico, Vermont, Illinois where SS is not required.

4. Do I have to submit all the same docs to the new state I chose to apply? All those which I submitted to CA before?

5. Lastly, I don't hold a credit card nor a check. How can I pay d registration fee by money order here in the Phils.?

Thank you.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Apr 27, 2011

Go to the FL BON website and look up the requirements for initial licensure. You will probably have to send in a paper application and pay some fees, do fingerprinting, and maybe take some extra classes, but that all varies by state.

To give you an idea, I live in Ohio but got my license in Texas instead. I am moving to Texas in a little less than 3 weeks.

I filled out the Texas application for initial licensure (not the endorsement) and paid the application fee. I think for Texas is was either $139 or $149, I can't remember now. Each state's application fee is different (Ohio's is $75, I think New York's is $149...it just depends).

After paying for your license application, go to the Pearson Vue website and register for the NCLEX. You are not actually scheduling a date at this time; you are only registering for the exam and paying the $200 NCLEX fee. You cannot actually register for the exam until you receive your ATT. When you receive your ATT, it has a number and that is what you will need to register an actual test date with PV. I took my NCLEX in Ohio because I live here, but I got licensed in Texas if that makes sense. Just because you are getting licensed out of state does not mean you have to fly to that state just to test. There are PV testing centers all over the place.

Because I am out of state, I requested some fingerprint cards from the TX BON. Most places do digital prints, but since I am out of state I did the traditional ink fingerprints. I have a friend who also lives in Ohio and is moving to Michigan this summer and she did the same thing (traditional ink fingerprints). Send in some extra copies just in case they have trouble reading your prints. That happened to me and of course TX will not give you your ATT until you submit for a criminal background investigation. I did my fingerprinting at my college's police station and they only charged me $5 to do it.

Now this is specific to Texas, but they also make you take a nursing jurisprudence exam - basically over nursing laws/rules/regulations and that stuff. We were allowed to use the TXBON website to find information. I know Ohio doesn't require anything else (aside from the application & fingerprints & registering with PV) and New York requires you to take a class on infection control and a class on recognizing child abuse - kind of CEU's. This is to show you that every state has different requirements for licensure, so be sure to read FL's requirements carefully. I could have taken that jurisprudence exam at any time, but I was told I will not get issued a license until I took it.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Apr 27, 2011

Oh and another misconception - the NCLEX is no easier or harder in different states. The NCLEX is nationalized, meaning it's the same test regardless of what state you take it in (but of course there is a huuuuuuuuge test bank of questions so everyone will get different questions). Some people will tell you "oh, the [state] NCLEX is SO much harder than [state]'s NCLEX!" That's not true.

dogsandplants · Jan 13, 2017

I'm in this exact situation. Did you apply for a Texas license while you were still in school or did you have to wait until you graduated? Also, how long did the fingerprints take to process?