How do we choose which state to apply for NCLEX?

suzanne4, RN · Jan 31, 2007

Most states will not issue you a license without a SSN#. And all require a SSN# to renew the license.

There are actually only a handful that offer a hard license if you do not have a SSN#.

nxt777 · Jan 31, 2007

decide first where you really want to work and then apply for that state. a lot of us filipino nurses apply to california. but as for my case i applied to illinois. they say illinois does issue a hard copy of the license even without a ssn. but you do need to have an ssn when you renew it.

you are right that if the state where you applied and eventually passed nclex-rn does not issue a license then you are not yet licensed for that particular state but you just has passed the nclex which is one of their requirements. and when you decide to apply for other state you will just have reciprocity of your nclex-rn exam results, since its a national exam you dont need to take it again. unlike when you applied for a state that issue a hard copy of your license even without a ssn, when you pass the nclex-rn exam you are already licensed by that state. and when you transfer to other state you will do endorsement of license, since you already hold a license in one state.

kathykaye · Feb 1, 2007

though you have a hard copy of your license, you need an SSN if you're going to endorse a license to other states...

narsbing · Feb 1, 2007

If I choose one of the handful of states that issues a license without SSN. Is having a hard license gonna give me some edge in my application? Will that be sufficient or give me advantage, having unrestricted license from Vermont of New Mexico

compared to

California NCLEX passing test result.

john83, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2007

If I choose one of the handful of states that issues a license without SSN. Is having a hard license gonna give me some edge in my application? Will that be sufficient or give me advantage, having unrestricted license from Vermont of New Mexico
compared to
California NCLEX passing test result.

I believe it does have an effect, an "edge" as you call it. However, it still comes down to where you want to work and where you petitioner is(including your contract).

One benefit is that you have "actual proof" that you hold a "permanent, unrestricted license". Ma'am Suzanne clearly pointed out in the past that when you don't have a hard copy of the license(like in the case of CA), you have nothing to endorse(because you don't hold a hard copy of the license). When you'd endorse, you'll only have the test score endorsed and not the license because you don't have one(no US SSN).

In addition, in the case of june 2006 nle passers, I believe this "permanent, unrestricted" hard license really bears weight as you might be able to use it in lieu of the june 2006 nle(no cgfns/ichp decision yet as of this time)when you apply for the visascreen, because with the us license, you are really a registered nurse(which is a requirement when you apply for the VisaScreen).

But if you plan to work in CA, I guess it's just okay. You'll save on costs and time. When all your papers are arranged and processed properly, SSN will not be a problem. Your employer can still petition(begin the process)even with just the passing score nowadays(unlike in the past where they had some sort of "catch-22" or "egg-and-chicken" scenario).

For the rest though who won't be working in CA, ma'am Suzanne does not encourage CA application because they won't issue you a license(only a passing letter if you pass the exam)unless you have a valid US Social Security Number.

john83, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2007

how do we choose which state to apply for nclex?
i wanted to apply in ca but they wont issue my license without ssn.
would it be better to apply in vermont since they will issue my license even if im in the philippines?
i want to live and work in ca because i have some relatives there, but im not even sure if i can be accepted in any hospital in california, nobody knows the future. they keep on telling me to apply for a license on the state where you want to live and work. i would like to have an option of having the power to choose and not limit myself in california. if i pass the nclex in california then i wont even have a license to endorse, just the certificate of passing nclex.
any suggestions would be highly appreciated.

you will be accepted and you will be eligible for the petitioning process when you pass the nclex-rn exam. however, when you'd have the consular interview, the embassy will ask that you show/submit a visascreen certificate, so in your case: passing nclex-rn exam plus passing ielts academic band score(overall and speaking) and your visascreen application(this includes all requirements stated in the cgfns/ichp website for the vs application).

lawrence01 · Feb 1, 2007

Just in addition to what John posted. Lately, CA BRN has been processing eligibility letters in 2-3 months time but pls. don't quote me on this. 4-6 mos. is still the norm and what CA BRN asks applicants to presume the time it will take for eligibility to be processed.

This maybe because foreign applicants may have divested to other States such as NM and VT.

Hope this doesn't confuse you some more but just something to think and consider to help you arrive on your final decision. In the end it will be your decision and there are no "perfect" State BON to apply. There will always be pros and cons.

lawrence01 · Feb 1, 2007

how do we choose which state to apply for nclex?
i wanted to apply in ca but they wont issue my license without ssn.
would it be better to apply in vermont since they will issue my license even if im in the philippines?
i want to live and work in ca because i have some relatives there, but im not even sure if i can be accepted in any hospital in california, nobody knows the future. they keep on telling me to apply for a license on the state where you want to live and work. i would like to have an option of having the power to choose and not limit myself in california. if i pass the nclex in california then i wont even have a license to endorse, just the certificate of passing nclex.
any suggestions would be highly appreciated.

there are also no guarantee that you will find an employer to petition you in vermont or any other state for that matter.

narsbing · Feb 1, 2007

There are also no guarantee that you will find an employer to petition you in Vermont or any other State for that matter.

If you would be a newbie trying to apply or might be looking for a job someday soon. Which would you prefer?

Having a full unrestricted US license (VT/NM) vs. certificate of passing nclex (CALI)

lawrence01 · Feb 1, 2007

If you would be a newbie trying to apply or might be looking for a job someday soon. Which would you prefer?
Having a full unrestricted US license (VT/NM) vs. certificate of passing nclex (CALI)

I think what we are trying to say is that there is really not much of a diff. if you have an actual license or just proof of passing NCLEX.

To be petitioned, a foreign-educated nurse would only need proof of passing NCLEX or the CGFNS exam per USCIS requirements. Many got petitioned by just the CGFNS exam and this is just a qualifying exam to gauge the likelihood that a nurse would ultimately pass the NCLEX exam w/c is the US licensure exam.

Employers would not be bias to applicants who actually have the actual license or just the official proof of passing the NCLEX as they fully know that one can get the actual license anyway in just a matter of weeks upon arrival in the US.

Many foreign nurses just let their US licenses lapse and never renew as renewal would mean giving a US SSN.

Hope I was able to answer your question.

nayeli0016 · Feb 4, 2007

So basically a foreign nurse could apply for the Visascreen even without a hard license, and just a letter proving that a nurse has passed the NCLEX like in the case of CA?