How do I get Texas RN license?

RN34TX · Nov 9, 2004

I am going to graduate from my ADN program next year May. I am planning to move to Texas with my family a little bit after my graduation.
I am wondering if anyone out there have done this before - which is to move to Texas from another state and take the NCLEX in Texas?
Or do you think I should take my NCLEX in my state and then find a job in Texas and try to apply for a license in Texas? How do I apply for a Texas RN license?
Do I have to take the NCLEX again in order to get the Texas License?
I am totally stressed out now because moving is basically not my favorite thing to do and plus I will have to make sure I get hire before I actually move over to Texas. Anyway, if anyone knows anything, please let me know. Thanks a thousand!

I moved to Texas as an already licensed LVN. It took about 2 months to get an endosement into TX. Then I finished RN school in TX, took about 2 1/2 months to take the NCLEX.

I learned this on this website from someone and do not know if it is true but worth checking out. I've read that you can apply for licensure into the state that you are moving to and take the NCLEX in the state that you are currently in. You will take the NCLEX where you live now but receive a TX RN license, which of course means that it is only good for practice in TX.

Call the TX BON and get an application packet sent to you. Be prepared to be on hold for a long time because they are "experiencing an unusual high volume of calls" which I thought was funny after I figured out that this is the case no matter when you call. They are very unfriendly--must be all non-native Texan's working there but I think that is true to many BON's.

Get your packet and then get to a police station in your area because you need to get fingerprint cards done (included with application). Make sure that the cards are not smeared or they will be sent back to you causing more delays. Get your TX license ASAP because trust me, employers calling you get very anxious if you tell them that you are still waiting for your TX license. Once you get it, they are very relaxed and full of job offers.

bcjams · Nov 9, 2004

Click here for the Texas BNE website

http://www.bne.state.tx.us/

Nurse Ratched, RN · Nov 9, 2004

Important thing to know is that it's the same test no matter where you take it. Good luck! :)

BaByMaMa · Nov 9, 2004

Hi! I am also planning to move to Texas when I graduate in May. I currently live up in the Northeast New England area. I found a lot of helpful information on the Texas Board of Nursing website. I absolutely know how stressful you feel...moving is definitely stressful, especially when you have to go through this whole licensure process. Good luck to you!!

moliuchick, RN · Nov 9, 2004

I moved to Texas as an already licensed LVN. It took about 2 months to get an endosement into TX. Then I finished RN school in TX, took about 2 1/2 months to take the NCLEX.
I learned this on this website from someone and do not know if it is true but worth checking out. I've read that you can apply for licensure into the state that you are moving to and take the NCLEX in the state that you are currently in. You will take the NCLEX where you live now but receive a TX RN license, which of course means that it is only good for practice in TX.
Call the TX BON and get an application packet sent to you. Be prepared to be on hold for a long time because they are "experiencing an unusual high volume of calls" which I thought was funny after I figured out that this is the case no matter when you call. They are very unfriendly--must be all non-native Texan's working there but I think that is true to many BON's.
Get your packet and then get to a police station in your area because you need to get fingerprint cards done (included with application). Make sure that the cards are not smeared or they will be sent back to you causing more delays. Get your TX license ASAP because trust me, employers calling you get very anxious if you tell them that you are still waiting for your TX license. Once you get it, they are very relaxed and full of job offers.

oops, I clicked this twice!

moliuchick, RN · Nov 9, 2004

I moved to Texas as an already licensed LVN. It took about 2 months to get an endosement into TX. Then I finished RN school in TX, took about 2 1/2 months to take the NCLEX.
I learned this on this website from someone and do not know if it is true but worth checking out. I've read that you can apply for licensure into the state that you are moving to and take the NCLEX in the state that you are currently in. You will take the NCLEX where you live now but receive a TX RN license, which of course means that it is only good for practice in TX.
Call the TX BON and get an application packet sent to you. Be prepared to be on hold for a long time because they are "experiencing an unusual high volume of calls" which I thought was funny after I figured out that this is the case no matter when you call. They are very unfriendly--must be all non-native Texan's working there but I think that is true to many BON's.
Get your packet and then get to a police station in your area because you need to get fingerprint cards done (included with application). Make sure that the cards are not smeared or they will be sent back to you causing more delays. Get your TX license ASAP because trust me, employers calling you get very anxious if you tell them that you are still waiting for your TX license. Once you get it, they are very relaxed and full of job offers.

Thank you so much for your information. It sure helps relieving my fear (I thought I might have to take the NCLEX twice!).

Okay, let me rephrase what you told me.

A little bit before I graduate, I should get a license application package from TX BON. Then I will have to take my NCLEX in my state but get a Texas License. And one of the thing that I have to do for the application is to get my finger print done in a police station in my state. Once I send out my application, (if I am lucky) it will take approximately 2-3 months to receive my new license.

Do I make any sense?

Thanks again for your information. I am still debating if I should get my state license here first and work for at least 6 mos before I move to Texas. The reason for that is I guess no hospital really want to hire any new grads especially they are from another states. Am I right or wrong on this?

I have heard that hospitals in Texas always have internship every Jan and Jun for new grads but I wonder if it also applies to new grads who just move from another state. Anyway, I guess I still have a lot of preparation work to do before I can actually move.

Thanks again.

moliuchick, RN · Nov 9, 2004

Hi! I am also planning to move to Texas when I graduate in May. I currently live up in the Northeast New England area. I found a lot of helpful information on the Texas Board of Nursing website. I absolutely know how stressful you feel...moving is definitely stressful, especially when you have to go through this whole licensure process. Good luck to you!!

I have looked at their website too. Have you started with anything yet? What part of Texas do you want to move to. My husband and I are thinking about Plano. I know that the brand new Baylor will be opening soon over in Plano. It will be so nice if I get to work there.

By the way, do you think that I have to know Spanish to work there?

moliuchick, RN · Nov 9, 2004

Important thing to know is that it's the same test no matter where you take it. Good luck! :)

That's always good to know!!!! Thanks!:)

BaByMaMa · Nov 9, 2004

I have looked at their website too. Have you started with anything yet? What part of Texas do you want to move to. My husband and I are thinking about Plano. I know that the brand new Baylor will be opening soon over in Plano. It will be so nice if I get to work there.
By the way, do you think that I have to know Spanish to work there?

There are FAQ on the BON website. Some important info that I found was that you should send in your licensure application 90 days prior to your graduation date. After that, you send in your affidavit of graduation, which has to be signed and notarized by your director of nursing on or after your date of graduation. All of this is on the site...

I'm thinking Austin, but I'm not sure...I'm going down for the holidays to visit and see if I like it. If not, I'll look into Florida or somewhere else that is warm...NEW ENGLAND IS COLD!!!! :cool:

moliuchick, RN · Nov 9, 2004

There are FAQ on the BON website. Some important info that I found was that you should send in your licensure application 90 days prior to your graduation date. After that, you send in your affidavit of graduation, which has to be signed and notarized by your director of nursing on or after your date of graduation. All of this is on the site...
I'm thinking Austin, but I'm not sure...I'm going down for the holidays to visit and see if I like it. If not, I'll look into Florida or somewhere else that is warm...NEW ENGLAND IS COLD!!!!

Wow , 90 days prior to grauation? I should read that Q & A part carefully so that I won't miss out anything.

My husband and I are the same way, we went to Florida in the beginning of this year just to see the area. I like the suburb in Florida but not Orlando. Anyway, it is just recently that we decided to look at Texas. It never came to my mind before but I guess I will take a short trip during my winter break and see if I like it there.

I am in Minnesota, it is extra Cold in here too. I guess we are all moving for the same reason!

gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP · Nov 17, 2004

The BNE says 90 days - I'd probably give it more time than that - I have been hearing that they have been taking forever to process the fingerprints and FBI background checks because the FBI is slow to process them.