How easy or hard is it to transfer an RN to another state?

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Jul 11, 2008

not very hard. All US states and territories are reciprocal, which means you do not have to re-test to qualify for licensure. Some states are "compact", which means you can have a license in one and practice in another. To get that list, go to www.ncsbn.com. You will need to contact the BON for the state you are moving to, get an application, pay a fee and proceed from there. Most, if not all, have online information and application process. I do recommend you get your first license in the state from which you graduate nursing school, as it is easier that way. Less expense and paperwork and the paperwork only slows you down in being able to sit for the licensing exam (NCLEX). Good luck!

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Jul 11, 2008

Just tell your school where you want your paper work sent and then they may ask you to supply them with the form and address.

Pearson Vue is nationwide you can sit for boards in one state, your home state lets say and get a lic from another state. So you can take the actual Nclex test in Colorado but be granted an Fla lic.

Very simnple. In my graduating class of 45 we had nurses lic in 4 other states upon taking Nclex.

If you know for sure your moving, then get lic for that state your moving to, no need to get lic in the state you attended school in, if you wont be staying there. That is paying twice.

Best of luck!!

suzanne4, RN · Jul 11, 2008

not very hard. All US states and territories are reciprocal, which means you do not have to re-test to qualify for licensure. Some states are "compact", which means you can have a license in one and practice in another. To get that list, go to www.ncsbn.com. You will need to contact the BON for the state you are moving to, get an application, pay a fee and proceed from there. Most, if not all, have online information and application process. I do recommend you get your first license in the state from which you graduate nursing school, as it is easier that way. Less expense and paperwork and the paperwork only slows you down in being able to sit for the licensing exam (NCLEX). Good luck!

Sorry, but licenses do not have reciprocity in the US, only the NCLEX exam does. One must meet the licensing requirements for the new state and not all programs meet the requirements for all states.

What we have is called endorsement, there is no application available for reciprocity. And if the person moves from the original state, then the Compact License ceases to exist. The license would be only valid for the original state.

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Jul 11, 2008

Sorry, but licenses do not have reciprocity in the US, only the NCLEX exam does. One must meet the licensing requirements for the new state and not all programs meet the requirements for all states.
What we have is called endorsement, there is no application available for reciprocity. And if the person moves from the original state, then the Compact License ceases to exist. The license would be only valid for the original state.

So if I am reading this right, it may be easier lets say to be a nurse in the state of FL vs Mi. So if you go to school in Fla, and then apply for a MI lic--MI may say no, but if you get the Lic in Fl you can transfer it to MI.

That seems like a waste of money in lic fees if you know your not going to stay in Fla if you only went to school there-but were moving home when finished.

Sorry if I gave bad advice, I know in my graduating class we had a TN/MI/Co and two Ohio lic granted to our Indiana students. I thougt for sure they got the lic in that state 1st and only.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 11, 2008

So if I am reading this right, it may be easier lets say to be a nurse in the state of FL vs Mi. So if you go to school in Fla, and then apply for a MI lic--MI may say no, but if you get the Lic in Fl you can transfer it to MI.
That seems like a waste of money in lic fees if you know your not going to stay in Fla if you only went to school there-but were moving home when finished.

I wouldn't dream of answering for Suzanne, and hope I'm not stepping on toes, but I figured it might be awhile before she gets to this and maybe I can shed some light for you.

It's not that you're transferring your license at all. Once you have a valid RN license, you may apply for an endorsement from any other State. However, you are not automatically guaranteed a license from any State at all; you have to have met their licensing requirements first (the NCLEX-RN is only one of them). Some States, for instance, have higher /different education criteria than others. Some recognize online coursework (such as Excelsior College), some do not. Some issue licenses after an abbreviated educational program, but it is valid ONLY in their State (as is the case in California).

So, if it's Michigan you seek to work in, but have graduated from a school in Florida, what you need to do is find out the requirements for sitting for the NCLEX-RN in the State of Michigan (and, of course, for issuance of a license). It's not that you just sit for the test here and afterward get a license there. Most States, it's really not a problem, but for some, it kinda is. If you went through an accredited program, recognized by the State in which you hope to receive an endorsement, and have met all the requirements for THAT State, then you should expect to get that endorsement without issue. But if you don't have the requirements met, you might have a problem.

Hope that helps!

suzanne4, RN · Jul 11, 2008

So if I am reading this right, it may be easier lets say to be a nurse in the state of FL vs Mi. So if you go to school in Fla, and then apply for a MI lic--MI may say no, but if you get the Lic in Fl you can transfer it to MI.
That seems like a waste of money in lic fees if you know your not going to stay in Fla if you only went to school there-but were moving home when finished.
Sorry if I gave bad advice, I know in my graduating class we had a TN/MI/Co and two Ohio lic granted to our Indiana students. I thougt for sure they got the lic in that state 1st and only.

That is not true, it is up to the new state if they will accept the training of the nurse and that is where issues can come up. Not all programs are automatically accepted in each and every state.

Licenses are also never transferred, one would keep their licenses that they have and just apply for endorsement to the new state and get an additional license.

My personal take on it is to just go for licensure in the state where you plan to work, it is usually faster to do it this way in most cases.