I can't find a state board in USA that doesn't require a local license from PI?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Oct 25, 2008

Not many states require CGFNS exam these days Think it is only 4. The issue is even if you apply for licensure in another state you will still have to meet your state's requirements and if that means local license then you may have to consider going back to the Philippines and sitting it.

JLMC2007 · Oct 25, 2008

Not many states require CGFNS exam these days Think it is only 4. The issue is even if you apply for licensure in another state you will still have to meet your state's requirements and if that means local license then you may have to consider going back to the Philippines and sitting it.

From what I've been seeing on the internet, everyone I've seen requires the CGFNS certification which means you also have to have local board.

Also, if I decide to get license via endorsement, then the only requirement I must meet is that I hold a license from another state in the US. I thought that was the requirement? Are you sure about this?

Going to the Philippines to sit in on a local board exam is not an option for me. Please help.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Oct 25, 2008

From what I've been seeing on the internet, everyone I've seen requires the CGFNS certification which means you also have to have local board.
Also, if I decide to get license via endorsement, then the only requirement I must meet is that I hold a license from another state in the US. I thought that was the requirement? Are you sure about this?
Going to the Philippines to sit in on a local board exam is not an option for me. Please help.

Most states require foreign trained nurses to still meet their requirements, a lot will depend on your state. Take NY for instance either for initial or endorsement the site states foreign trained nurse has to get CVS no exceptions. Most states will accept CGFNS CES so only have to get it done once and then if they require it you just arrange with CGFNS to send them a copy for a small fee. Unless the state asks for local license then it may not be required but you will need to check with website or BON but if planning to endorse to your state then you will also have to check with your state. CGFNS exam is hardly required these days therefore local license isn't always required. Just having a license in another US state does not mean you do not have to meet foreign trained requirements

JLMC2007 · Oct 25, 2008

Most states require foreign trained nurses to still meet their requirements, a lot will depend on your state. Take NY for instance either for initial or endorsement the site states foreign trained nurse has to get CVS no exceptions. Most states will accept CGFNS CES so only have to get it done once and then if they require it you just arrange with CGFNS to send them a copy for a small fee. Unless the state asks for local license then it may not be required but you will need to check with website or BON but if planning to endorse to your state then you will also have to check with your state. CGFNS exam is hardly required these days therefore local license isn't always required. Just having a license in another US state does not mean you do not have to meet foreign trained requirements

So even if I am a holder of license in CA then I can't get endorsed for another state license unless I meet THEIR requirements for the foreign educated nurses?

So I assume that if I was not a foreign trained nurse, then there is no problem like this? It would endorse over with no issues?

male_nurse22 · Oct 26, 2008

I think all states in the USA require local license from the country you came from.

suzanne4, RN · Oct 26, 2008

From what I've been seeing on the internet, everyone I've seen requires the CGFNS certification which means you also have to have local board.
Also, if I decide to get license via endorsement, then the only requirement I must meet is that I hold a license from another state in the US. I thought that was the requirement? Are you sure about this?
Going to the Philippines to sit in on a local board exam is not an option for me. Please help.

Not sure where you are looking on the internet or what you are looking at, but those sites are giving you very bad advice. There are only four states out of the entire US that actually require the CGFNS exam be written, so that is by far not the majority.

Yes, the CGFNS exam requires the local license; be aware that any state in the US, if they require the local license, and you have not practiced in the US in another state, then more than likely they are going to require the NLE for you to endorse with.

You may be a green card holder, but that means that you are still a citizen of the Philippines and hold their passport; therefore are not exempt by the PRC in writing the exam.

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As far as endorsement to another state, only the NCLEX exam has reciprocity, you must meet the requirements for the new state in terms of all of their requirements to be able to get licensed there. Holding a license in one state does not guarantee that you automatically meet the requirements for the new state; this even applies to American nurses.

If you wishing to work in the US, then you need to meet the requirements of the state. And if you wish to work in CA, if that is your ultimate goal, then writing the NLE is going to be a requirement for you. This rule of theirs has been enforced since January of this year.

There are many others that post here that were in the same position as you and they returned home and wrote the exam, it is not that big of a deal. And things are quite tight in Ca right now in terms of finding a job that it will be something quite easy for you to do. It will look better for you as well if you were able to write your local exam and pass it.

States here are all tightening up their requirements as we speak. We are seeing changes to requirements happening quite frequently, much more so than in the past. And the other word of caution, even if you were to get by without that exam now, then when the time came that you wished to go to another state, you may find them requiring a local license from you. Easier to get it done now, then having to do it much later.

suzanne4, RN · Oct 26, 2008

So even if I am a holder of license in CA then I can't get endorsed for another state license unless I meet THEIR requirements for the foreign educated nurses?
So I assume that if I was not a foreign trained nurse, then there is no problem like this? It would endorse over with no issues?

What you are not understanding is that even if you were an American and actually trained in the US, there is no guarantee that the training that you had would be accepted in all 50 states here. Not all programs in the US meet all of the requirements for all states.

And when you are foreign trained, even if you hold a US passport, you will be required to meet the requirements for those that trained out of the US for the entire time that you hold a license in any state. You are always going to have extra requirements to be met.

Those with training here in the US do have issues with endorsing to other states some of the time, depends on their training.

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But you need to remember, that you are still a guest in this country, even with the green card; it does not give you any advantage when going for licensure or anything else. Requirements that are specified need to be met by whomever wishes to work here.

Not sure when you came to to the US, but this has been discussed on this site for more than a year what the enforced requirements were going to be.

Hushdawg · Nov 10, 2008

There is an alternate application process for SOME overseas nurses for BON in CA; however the reviewing process of your credentials will probably STILL demand a local license from Philippines.

One alternative would be to complete a higher degree course in CA, perhaps getting a co-op education position for a BA. This will give you an American degree and then allow you to apply to BON as an American graduate rather than a foreign nurse.

tobby_walter · Nov 10, 2008

There is an alternate application process for SOME overseas nurses for BON in CA; however the reviewing process of your credentials will probably STILL demand a local license from Philippines.
One alternative would be to complete a higher degree course in CA, perhaps getting a co-op education position for a BA. This will give you an American degree and then allow you to apply to BON as an American graduate rather than a foreign nurse.

even you pursue higher degree in california they will stil look for the local license as they will be evaluating your education origin .

Silverdragon102, BSN · Nov 10, 2008

Also if looking for a higher degree they may ask that you have meet state requirements and pass NCLEX

JLMC2007 · Nov 10, 2008

Not sure where you are looking on the internet or what you are looking at, but those sites are giving you very bad advice. There are only four states out of the entire US that actually require the CGFNS exam be written, so that is by far not the majority.

Suzanne,

First of all thanks for all your help. I guess I may be misunderstanding what CGFNS is.

So a CGFNS CES does not involve verifying if you are a local board license holder correct? Only if the state requires the CGFNS EXAM would this be the case?

Like I said before I cannot go back to the Philippines right now to sit for the NLE. For one thing they only offer it twice a year, and I can't afford the airfare right now nor the time away from work.

Even if I have to move to another state, I'd rather just get a license for that state and plan on moving there.

Can you please tell me which states do not require the NLE for sure? I think you mentioned Vermont or New Hampshire before but I checked and they both require NLE.

So let's say I'm not going to get licensure by endorsement in the future, I only want licensure from a state that doesn't require NLE. Which states offer this?