HELP! Am I allowed to take the NCLEX in Tennessee if...

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Hey everyone -

I was wondering if I'm going to school in California for my BSN, am I allowed to take the NCLEX in Tennessee first?? I don't really see myself staying in California after I finish my degree, so I don't see the point in getting licensed in California and getting relicensed in Tennessee. My boyfriend & I have always wanted to live in Tennessee so I think it'd be easier to just do it once. Anyone know anything about this or have a situation like this?

Thanks for the feedback! :)

Amanda

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You can get licensed whereever you please. If you want to get your first license in TN, then make arrangements for your license application to reflect that.

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As long as your nursing education is comparable to the minimum standards in TN, there will be no problem. (I only mention the qualifier because I know that CA has some educational options for nurses that are not recognized by the other states -- the "30 unit option"? LPNs being able to challenge the NCLEX-RN under certain circumstances? I'm not sure about the details.) As long as you're going to a "regular" nursing program, which you are if you're in a BSN program, you will be fine. You will just apply for initial licensure in TN rather than CA when you graduate, and make sure your school sends your documentation to the TN BON rather than the CA BRN. You can physically take the NCLEX in any location that's convenient for you for licensure in any state, so you wouldn't have to travel to TN in order to take the exam if you're still in CA at that time.

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Oh Thanks!! :) This helps a lot! I didn't want to have to pay to take it here and there. And yes, I'm in the BSN program, so hopefully there won't be any issues.

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