Cross-State NCLEX and Licensure

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Dec 1, 2004

Contact the California BON and speak directly with someone. You aren't going to find what you need on an FAQ--you want to specifically know if California will accept your degree and your program.

The NCLEX is the same across the US.

When you apply for a license, they will ask what state you intend to practice in (or at least, that was on our Texas apps).

Congrats on getting in, BTW!

Leda · Dec 1, 2004

Can anyone recommend a good, basic FAQ or summary for the NCLEX and for state-specific licensure?
I just found out that I've been accepted into a second career program in Michigan (accelerated BSN). I will be moving to California at some point after graduation and am already thinking about how my degree here will translate into licensure in another state. I don't even know whether the NCLEX is a national test or state-specific, or if there is separate testing for licenses, above and beyond the NCLEX. I'm very new at this, in case you couldn't tell! Thanks for any help.

I would strongly suggest checking out the California Board of Registration in Nursing website, as it it very difficult to speak to someone directly via telephone and there is a great deal of information on this site. Obtaining a California RN license following passing NCLEX-RN in a different state is a long process.

It is good to be concerned about RN licensure, etc. but you will soon find out that the volume of studying you will be doing will keep you focused on the here and now, until you have completed you RN program. Still if you intend to practice in a state other than the one you have obtained initial licensure in it is smart to be prepared. Best of luck with your studies.

Pachinko · Dec 2, 2004

Thanks. I've gone through their website thoroughly and am not finding what I'm looking for--specifically, whether my program (which is a non-traditional BSN) will qualify as an acceptable one under the BON specifications--I can't even find those specifications (I'm assuming they involve a requisite number of clinical hours, specific classes etc.). If I were going the traditional BSN route I wouldn't be so concerned. Also, I'm not sure of whether I should go to California and take the NCLEX or take it in Michigan and get a license...or whether it makes a difference.

I'm hoping I can speak to a counsellor at my school about this, it's got me really flustered. If anyone has any other suggestions, I'd appreciate them

Leda · Dec 2, 2004

Thanks. I've gone through their website thoroughly and am not finding what I'm looking for--specifically, whether my program (which is a non-traditional BSN) will qualify as an acceptable one under the BON specifications--I can't even find those specifications (I'm assuming they involve a requisite number of clinical hours, specific classes etc.). If I were going the traditional BSN route I wouldn't be so concerned. Also, I'm not sure of whether I should go to California and take the NCLEX or take it in Michigan and get a license...or whether it makes a difference.
I'm hoping I can speak to a counsellor at my school about this, it's got me really flustered. If anyone has any other suggestions, I'd appreciate them

You are correct that the California Board of Registration educational standards for nursing programs eligible for licensure are not posted on their website, although they are referred to. It would probably be in your be interests to contact the California BORN and have them send you these educational standards so that you can compare them to your nursing program.

That being said, given that you are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN means that your nursing program curriculum meets the standards for your state as all nursing programs must be approved by the state in which they operate. When I applied for endorsement in California in the fall of 2003, they had dispensed with having the applicant send the transcripts from their generic nursing program ,taking the stance that if you meet eligiblity for NCLEX licensure then you meet their standards. You do have to send them proof of your license (see website for details).

You can call the Califronia BORN to speak with someone directly, just be prepared to wait on hold for a long period of time. They will answer your questions and are very helpful, just very understaffed.

Odds are that if your program is approved by your state BORN (which it must be for you to be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN) then you will be able to obtain your RN licensue by endorsement in California. However comparing your nursing program with the California BORN educational standards for generic nursing programs would be a good idea.

Pachinko · Dec 2, 2004

Awesome, Leda--that was hugely helpful.

If the NCLEX is all that's needed for a California license, then there should be no issues (I know that they're accepting the NCLEX exclusively is no guarantee, though, and I will send away for their educational standards). In the event that I go through a program and it does not meet all of their requirements, does anyone know whether subsequent courses could be taken in California to meet these requirements without my having to go through a completely new nursing program?

suzanne4, RN · Dec 2, 2004

Any of the accelerated programs in Michigan that are offered by the major universities are accepted for endorsement to any state in the US. These accelerated programs are actually offered al over the US. You will qualify for taking the NCLEX. And once you take it, it never has to be re-written.

Good luck..............................

Pachinko · Dec 2, 2004

Thanks. My nightmare scenario was that I'd gotten into my ideal program and couldn't go where I wanted to with it. I've spent so much time focused on just *getting in* that I hadn't really given much thought to the future beyond my program.

I'm thinking that that the best way to go would be to get my BSN, get my Michigan license, and then immediately apply for licensure by endorsement in California. If they do request and review my transcripts even after my passing the NCLEX, I assume that I could take any needed courses through a community college to satisfy any requirements that were lacking (and, as recommended above, I'll evaluate my program against California's requirements and consider taking any requisites that I haven't already covered). I'm going to call the BON there for clarification....but if anyone (as above) has had any direct experience with licensure endorsement to California via a second career BSN, I'd be grateful the hear about it.