getting your RN in a state you don't live in

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in psych, ltc, case management.

Hi all,

I have a question about getting all set up with your licence at the end of school. I live and go to school in NJ right now. I just finished my first year, so one left to go! I plan on possibly moving to CA when I graduate.

My question is when i finish school and start filling out the paperwork to get my RN lisence, do I HAVE to get it from NJ first and then apply to have it endorsed by CA? or can I just get my liscence for CA while I am still in NJ? And if so, how does one go about getting signed up in a state other than the one they currently live in when they first graduate? I already have info for how to get your liscnese endorsed in CA if you already have your RN.

(Please note that I have already looked at the CA board of nursing website, and also I am posting this in the general forum and not the regional forums because I think this question could apply no matter where you are living or moving to.)

Thank you so much for the help!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pulmonary, MICU.

My understanding is that you can do either. But to get your CA license first, you would have to schedule and sit the NCLEX in CA. So either sit the NCLEX in NJ and then apply for a CA license, or go to CA to take the NCLEX.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

also, for Ca be prepared to send in your school transcripts..I'm applying for endorsement from Hawaii to Ca right now and they require transcripts and fingerprinting..something that Hawaii did not ask for. Each state is different. I'm not sure if it would apply to you since you are just graduating but I believe Ca also requires 30 CEU's every two years? Let me check on that.. but right now I am working on completing those as well (HI did not require that either)

good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Acute Dialysis.
My understanding is that you can do either. But to get your CA license first, you would have to schedule and sit the NCLEX in CA. So either sit the NCLEX in NJ and then apply for a CA license, or go to CA to take the NCLEX.

You would not actually have to go to CA to take NCLEX that is a common misconception.....I live in GA graduated from a school from NY but I was licensed in Minnesota before endorsing into Georgia. You take the NCLEX-RN through pearsonvue and regardless of the state you are presently in you can choose which state you want to be licensed in provided you meet their requirements....just apply for licensure by examination in the state which you plan on living.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC/Rehab, Med Surg, Home Care.
My understanding is that you can do either. But to get your CA license first, you would have to schedule and sit the NCLEX in CA. So either sit the NCLEX in NJ and then apply for a CA license, or go to CA to take the NCLEX.

I'm not sure if you do...I live in Wisconsin but work in Minnesota. I took my RN boards in WI, for my MN license.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med surg ltc psych.

I'm curious about the transcripts being requested for endorsement to CA. I'm a new grad LPN and have the endorsement packet and paperwork to be sent to them in CA. They want everything (passport photo, fingerprints, high school diploma, license verification, DOJ background check etc) but did not see any request for my transcripts on any paperwork or on the website. Is that required only for RN's applying for endorsement to CA and not LPN's?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.

you can sit for the NCLEX exam in any state, all you have to do is pick the state u want your lisence from when u apply for NCLEX initially. Thats what I did.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

New question: can i get a license in two states? Say, if i lived in Missouri can i get a license for Minnesota also?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
New question: can i get a license in two states? Say, if i lived in Missouri can i get a license for Minnesota also?

Yes. You can have licenses in as many states as you are willing to pay the fees for! The exception to this is compact states, for those you need a license in the state where you live but can work in any of the other compact states without getting another license.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment