Does it matter what state you take the NCLEX?

Nursing Students NCLEX

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I will be graduating with my BSN in Texas but I want to work in California or Connecticut. I was under the impression I can take the NCLEX in TX and then just contact the Board of Nursing in CA/CT to have my license transferred to whichever state I move to. I recently heard some nurses saying they thought I had to take the NCLEX in the state I would be working in (CA ot CT), OR I would have to take the NCLEX AGAIN in CA/CT in addition to TX.. Can someone clarify?

Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.
This is what I keep hearing. I am not picky about location though and have been applying to many small towns, so I am hoping I can get lucky there.

If you don't know where you want to move yet and have no job lined up in another state, why not just take your exam and get your license where you're at (TX) and then apply for endorsement in a different state when you actually know where you'll be going?

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If you don't know where you want to move yet and have no job lined up in another state, why not just take your exam and get your license where you're at (TX) and then apply for endorsement in a different state when you actually know where you'll be going?

I guess I was hoping I would have a job offer before taking the NCLEX in one of the states I want to go to. My lease is done here a month after I graduate and I don't want to stay here so I've been hopefuly I'll have a job figured out before I graduate in August.

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.
I guess I was hoping I would have a job offer before taking the NCLEX in one of the states I want to go to. My lease is done here a month after I graduate and I don't want to stay here so I've been hopefuly I'll have a job figured out before I graduate in August.

But you can't base this on a "what if" scenario. It doesn't make any sense to apply for licensure in another state when you may not even end up moving there. Might as well get licensed where you currently live and then apply for endorsement when you know for sure where you'll be.

California does not participate in Quick Results for NCLEX and it takes quite a while for them to update their BON website with your license number. Plus they're notoriously slow in processing your initial paperwork just to get the ATT. New grads have a difficult time finding jobs in CA.

I'd definitely get licensed in your current state and then endorse later when you know 100% for sure where you'll be.

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But you can't base this on a "what if" scenario. It doesn't make any sense to apply for licensure in another state when you may not even end up moving there. Might as well get licensed where you currently live and then apply for endorsement when you know for sure where you'll be.

California does not participate in Quick Results for NCLEX and it takes quite a while for them to update their BON website with your license number. Plus they're notoriously slow in processing your initial paperwork just to get the ATT. New grads have a difficult time finding jobs in CA.

I'd definitely get licensed in your current state and then endorse later when you know 100% for sure where you'll be.

Okay! Thank you for the advice! That might be what I end up doing, then. I still have three months of schooling left and will be taking the NCLEX probably in September.

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Specializes in None.

Any updates on this? I’m stuck with the same dilemma. I plan to move to Charlotte, NC and I am currently in IL completing my nursing program. 

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