Licensure in GA vs VA

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Neuro ICU, NICU, CVICU.

Hello everyone,

I just moved to Georgia and finished my nursing degree in Virginia this May. I'm having a hard time getting information and was wondering if anyone knew if I can get licensed in Georgia instead of getting licensed in Virginia then going through the endorsement process? Thanks!

Angela

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U already pass ur RN? Or u wanna take ur GA Nclex?!?

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Specializes in Neuro ICU, NICU, CVICU.

I haven't taken my boards yet. I finished my nursing program in virginia and Georgia isn't a compact state. Is there a way I can apply for a GA license without going through the endorsement process? I've looked on Georgia's board of nursing site and its not too clear if I do the paper application that they will accept it....I know the online application is for Georgia nursing students. Thanks for the reply!

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I would call them and find out what they want you to do. I don't see why you couldn't apply to take the exam through them, but Nursing Boards are generally a bit of a nightmare so it's best to hear directly from them what you should do.

Good luck

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

**Applicants must submit the following information:

Completed application

Non-refundable application fee of $40.00

*Official college transcripts (Nursing education programs must meet the requirements of O.C.G.A. 43-26-2(1.2).

Completed criminal background check

Any other additional information requested by the Board

The above was taken from the Georgia BON website for out of state applicants. Check the FAQs link that asks "How do I obtain an RN license in Georgia?" I think it's the very first question on the list. It specifies exactly what business to use to obtain the criminal background check. I think it's CogentID or something like that.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

I pray that your nursing school clinical hours are equal to or exceed the number of hours required by Georgia. It's my opinion that they really try to stick those preceptorship hours to everyone who attended college anywhere but in Georgia if they have not previously worked for at leSt a year in the role in which they are seeking licensure. Be sure to ask specifically about the amount of clinical hours required from school. It could be hard to find that information on the website. If you can locate the code listed above regarding transcripts, I'm sure the information you need is buried in there somewhere.

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Specializes in ICU.

You should be able to take the NCLEX in GA and get licensed there, which is what I wish I'd done. I didn't know I was going to be moving to Georgia so I took my NCLEX in NC and endorsed. It was a pain in the neck, but once they "received" all of my paperwork it only took a week for them to issue my license. Endorsing is pretty quick when you're a new grad with no work experience, so it's not a horrible option, but taking the NCLEX in GA would be better!

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The kicker is that requirement for your school to meet the GA requirements for clinical hours in school. Many states do not accept programs from proprietary/for profit/"nontraditional" schools for that reason. Yet another reason to be very careful what school you go to-- you never know when you'll have to move. Life happens.

Get the info from the GA BoN and do what they tell you to take NCLEX there.

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