Hi! I have the same issue, I recently receive a notification that I passed NCLEX (CA board which i took last Nov 7). I am an RN here in the Philippines and would like to work in California since my relatives are there. I don't have SSN yet and was wondering if I could apply for an SSN even I am still here in the Philippines to get my license? If it is possible could you please share how to start applying? Thanks...
You must physically be in the US and with a document in hand that permits you to work. That is the only way to get a SSN#, it is not available to you any other way. You will not have a license in the US until you arrive here and are ready to work.
SSN# does not require an immigrant visa, but a visa that permits you to work. For RNs that is only the green card or immigrant visa, but students can get a SSN# when they are in the CPT or the OPT programs and have an EAD that permits them to work legally.
you must not be allowed to work in the US to be able to get ss number... and once you submitted the ss number to california board or registered nursing, waiting time would usually be 1 to 2 weeks for your license to arrive... the certificate though arrives a little later
i took nclex and passed but my CA license is pending due to SSN.
the letter from brn ca says that i have to give them my SSN in 3 years..
do i have to take nclex again if i cant submit my ssn in 3 years?
the retro issue is still ongoing and its so frustrating...
please help!
NCLEX exam is separate from the licensing process. The results of that exam do not expire when the three years are up. If the three years are over, then you just reapply for licensure with a new application. The results from the NCLEX will still be able to be used.
But also noticed that one of the older posts above stated that you need to be an immigrant to get a SSN#. That is actually not true. You must have a visa that legally permits you to work, so anyone on an H1-B visa, a student that has an OPT or CPT and qualifies for the EAD, they will also be able to get a SSN#.
The main issue is that the visa permits you to work in the US. The tourist visa does not.
suzanne4, RN
26,410 Posts
You must physically be in the US and with a document in hand that permits you to work. That is the only way to get a SSN#, it is not available to you any other way. You will not have a license in the US until you arrive here and are ready to work.
SSN# does not require an immigrant visa, but a visa that permits you to work. For RNs that is only the green card or immigrant visa, but students can get a SSN# when they are in the CPT or the OPT programs and have an EAD that permits them to work legally.