Is one state license better than another?

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 7, 2003

It used to be that some states required higher scores for passing NCLEX and issueing a license than others ... making it easier to get a license in some states than others.

... but I don't think that is true anymore. However, I am not positive about that. What reason did your instructor give you?

I've moved around a lot and have held licenses in 10 different states. There has never been any issue with transfering from one state to another .... but then, I passed with high scores (back in the olden days when you actually received a score).

llg

BadBird, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2003

I would Call the NM board of nursing and ask them your question, they should be able to steer you in the right direction.

rpbear · Nov 7, 2003

I would Call the NM board of nursing and ask them your question, they should be able to steer you in the right direction.

I have searched web sites and books that both NM and NY BON sent me and I can't find the answer anywere.

It used to be that some states required higher scores for passing NCLEX and issueing a license than others ... making it easier to get a license in some states than others.
... but I don't think that is true anymore. However, I am not positive about that. What reason did your instructor give you?
I've moved around a lot and have held licenses in 10 different states. There has never been any issue with transfering from one state to another .... but then, I passed with high scores (back in the olden days when you actually received a score).
llg

My instructor did not give me a clear reason only that "it may be better for you to be licensed in NY" I think that she may be going off of what you said about scores, but I can't find anywhere that different states require different scores. Where could I find this?

Has anyone had to retake an exam to be licensed in another state?

Thanks,

Molly

Katnip, RN · Nov 7, 2003

You might just have to talk to someone in person and ask your question directly. I really don't think a license is different anywhere theses days since the same minimum pass fail grade is 75 in every state.

I don't see the need to get one before the other.

Also, you may be able to take the NM exam in NY. You apply in NM and just sit the exam locally.

TinyNurse, RN · Nov 8, 2003

hey, nclex is the same no matter the state you take it in, but on your form you must request the license in the state you want it for.

before/during graduation i had an offer in NM and the hospital told me that NM was horrible about "letting you know if you passed" therefore put off the time that you could work as an RN,

just what i've experienced.

xo

jen

NursesruN · Nov 8, 2003

Canadian rn. Just did the nclex for Minnesota. Cost $105 good for 2 years and didn't need to send any info except college transcript. Got the results within 3 weeks. Price from state to state varies by as much as $80 and so does requirements from what I understand. endorsement from state to state can take a few weeks and cost $80+ depending on the state. Minnesota is apparently the easiest but as far as the nclex goes a pass is a pass. There's a site called http://www.geocities.com/hobonurse with some helpful info on it.Good luck

rncopper · Nov 8, 2003

All state licenses are equal: We all take the same test; we all need the same score to pass to be able to put RN behind our name.

With that said, there is a difference in the cost of licenses! I have paid over $300 for a license in Alaska to $80 in WY (I am a traveling nurse). So, depending on where you are going to practice after graduation, that is the license you would want to get.

If you ever move after getting a license, you would apply to where you will work next to obtain their license. Each state has different requirements (in terms of what you need to send them; and there is a BIG difference from state to state on how long it takes for them to issue a license; some states have temporaries, some do not) to obtain a license in that particular state. (EX- MA wants verification of EVERY LICENSE you hold or have held! That can get expensive because each state has a fee for them to send "verification" to another state - ex- AZ charges $25 per verification to another state).

To add confusion to all this: There are a group of 15 states that are "compact". If your home state (where you live) is in a compact state, you can work in another compact state without getting their specific license. I don't think that would work if you move to the other state, though.

To answer the question of if you need to retake the NCLEX for any state: a resounding NO! Thank goodness!

rpbear · Nov 8, 2003

Thank you all for the replies!

I was under the impression that it did not matter, but then when my instructor told me this I got all confused. But I knew that someone on this board would know the answer!!

Thanks again,

Molly

mayberry · Nov 8, 2003

It shouldn't matter what state you take your NCLEX in. However, which ever state you take it in - keep that states license no matter where you move. I have had many friends in the military (granted they are active duty but....) and they have always said keep your original state of licensure. Also, I have lived in a # of states and have kept my NY license and never have had a problem. No matter where you apply for a license...that state is going to ask you where you took your NCLEX/where you were originally licensed.

rpbear · Nov 8, 2003

Thanks for that advise mayberry!!! As a military wife I have a tendancy to keep everything that I think I way need again, especially paperwork! I have learned some hard lessons that way!!!!

Molly

rncopper · Nov 8, 2003

There really is no need to keep your original license. Almost all BON's just ask where you were originally licensed. Not if you currently still have a license in that state.

My only suggestion is to always have a current license in the state you live. If you are not a travel nurse (and even then you can do this), if you have a license, move to another state, and get their license, you can put the 1st license on inactive status (not all states have this option, though).

EX - My original license was AZ. I moved to SD and did not keep up my AZ license (as I knew I would never go back). There has been no problem, since I started traveling, to get other licenses, even though I no longer have an active license in the state of my original. But, luckily for me, AZ and SD are now both compact!!!

Just an FYI - travel nurses are, for the most part, very well versed in licenses. We have to get new ones all the time, if we go state to state. Just another thing that we have to keep in the back of our head!!!:roll