Certain States do not Accept Excelsior?

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2013

moved for best response.

ToothFairy(5) · Jul 18, 2013

I have never had a problem with my degree from them. Money wise came out about the same as any other university. The CPNE ( clinical exam ) was expensive but I had enough timne to save up for it. Ok, so when I needed to move I tried to endorse in a state that does not accept them. ( yes, they are accredited ) The catch with me is I have over 11 years experience. The state gave me a hard time but I had to file a grievance, additional letters of reccommendation from my bosses saying I am clinically ok to work as a RN. I got my letter from that BON with an apology and a license. In other words, it can be done but you'll have some hoops to go through. Of course, Murphy's Law, now that I went through all that headache we are not moving. LOL

I would advise if you know that you'll be moving to really think Excelsior through though. If you won't be moving for a while then I would give it consideration. Only you know your situation though. Best wishes as you bridge from your LPN to RN. Hey, I love the switch but my LPN experiences were great too.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jul 18, 2013

There is a lot of info here, including a link to EC's page about which states have additional requirements: https://allnurses.com/excelsior-college-online/excelsior-college-distance-808335.html

In a nutshell, EC's program does not include clinicals delivered concurrently with theory, which is a sticking point for some BONs.

BOSS man · Jul 19, 2013

Hi everyone,
I was thinking about bridging from LPN to RN through Excelsior but when I was in the process of getting my LPN License in another State, I thoroughly read the terms/conditions. My state does not accept a degree from Excelsior. Why is this? I thought it was an accredited online nursing program. Do some of you who have a degree through this program have success in finding a job? Also, I'm worried about how much it would cost. Is it just as expensive as a local nursing program? I am guessing I won't be able to pursue this since my state doesn't recognize it as a program. I was surprised when I found this out because several of my coworkers are actually in that program.

They updated their website I think, but from the looks of it California is the only state that won't accept you at all unless you graduated before 2003 I believe.

Note* I have never contacted the school and never went but this what I can tell from their site. Alot will just accept it but some require you to have a few hundred hours in your state where you get licensed up to having 2 years full time in your current state. Some require preceptorships but surely note impossible.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jul 19, 2013

They updated their website I think, but from the looks of it California is the only state that won't accept you at all unless you graduated before 2003 I believe.

Minor clarification -- students had to be enrolled by December 2003, not graduated by then, and must have maintained continuous enrollment. But since the max time for enrollment for students to complete the program is 7 years, you won't find any EC grads who are able to seek licensure by exam there past 2010.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 22, 2013

Hi everyone,
I was thinking about bridging from LPN to RN through Excelsior but when I was in the process of getting my LPN License in another State, I thoroughly read the terms/conditions. My state does not accept a degree from Excelsior. Why is this? I thought it was an accredited online nursing program.

Just because a program is accredited doesn't mean that it meets a BON's standards. In the case of the CA BRN, Excelsior's program doesn't meet those standards, particularly in the area of clinical practice. If you are planning to ever work in CA, then do not enroll in the EC LPN-RN program as they will not license you, nor will getting your BSN later at a CA approved school atone for having an Excelsior ADN, as BONs look at the pre-licensure school when evaluating someone for licensure/endorsement. The CA BRN isn't really budging on this point.

Reading material:

Board of Registered Nursing - Excelsior College

The other 48 (soon to be 49--apparently Maryland's changed its mind) and DC still accept EC grads, though several states have certain stipulations attached to licensure.

Perhaps your coworkers are planning to work in other states after graduation, or they don't know about CA's lack of love for Excelsior...hopefully it's the former.

skittlebear · Jul 22, 2013

Thanks everyone for your replies. They were very helpful. :-)

ldmonks · Jul 24, 2013

I know Washington State requires you to have 200 clinical hours before they will license you. Federal facilities like Army, Navy, Air Force and VA don't care what state you are licensed in. I had a friend who got her license in another state, worked in the Army hospital for a year, then got reciprocity to Washington. Just another way to skin a cat.

Red Kryptonite · Apr 21, 2015

There are tons of successful Excelsior grads working in nursing. The sob story of one nurse who didn't check her state's requirements before enrolling hardly discredits that fact.

JennyS, BSN, DNP, CNM · Aug 2, 2015

There are tons of successful Excelsior grads working in nursing. The sob story of one nurse who didn't check her state's requirements before enrolling hardly discredits that fact.

Agreed....I graduated from there went on to be trained in critical care I also acquired Hospice/Palliative care training I worked really hard for the clinical test because you have three days to perform at 100% accuracy..One little thing and you fail...Not that easy