Is reciprocity possible from California to Florida?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2006

California is not a compact state. Your friend will likely need to establish a SSN to fully obtain licensure in California, and then have Florida endorse the California license.

suzanne4, RN · Jan 10, 2006

First, only the NCLEX exam has reciprocity, but only after the nurse has a license to endorse.

He needs to get a job offer in Florida, and get his petiton submitted to immigration, just as he would do if he was in CA and getting a job there. Once everything has been approved, nad he gets over to the US, it will be one week or so to get the SSN#, then he can apply for endorsement to Florida.

If he tries to do it before, it makes a big mess of everyhting and I definitely do not suggest it.

This is why I keep telling everyone not to go the CA route, but they still do and this happens. There is no way around it. Immigration just requres proof of passing NCLEX, they do not require an actual license. Just like passing the CGFNS exam.

cracker jack · Jan 10, 2006

"If he tries to do it before, it makes a big mess of everyhting and I definitely do not suggest it."

-- what does this mean? what shouldn't he do? thanks...

suzanne4, RN · Jan 10, 2006

He needs to get a job offer in Florida, get approval from immigration, and come to the US as the final step, then endorse to Florida. Just as I have posted above. There is no poroblem with that.

It will take him much longer to go the other route, of applying all over again to Florida.

suzanne4, RN · Jan 10, 2006

California is not a compact state. Your friend will likely need to establish a SSN to fully obtain licensure in California, and then have Florida endorse the California license.

Compact states have no issue here, if the nurse is not going to be living in the original state, then they must go thru the process of getting a license in the new state. A compact license is only good if you keep your legal residence in the state where you got the license, if you move, the compact part becomes null and void, and you would still need to go thru the channels fo getting a endorsed license.

But you cannot do that as a foreign nurse until you have a SSN#. And you do not get that until you are already in the US, as you need to do that in person with proof that you will legally be able to work in the US.

cracker jack · Jan 10, 2006

thanks for the info suzanne4. i'll tell my friend about what you posted. thanks!

t.turnbull · Jan 18, 2006

Hello everybody:)

I was just wondering, im waiting for I-140 aproval through texas should be soon:rotfl: im waiting for my ssn to get a california license, then transfering it to Florida, will I require the ces report if I do this. I have visascreen already.

If california found me eligble to sit for the nclex ie the amount of clinical and theory hours in my training regarding, peads, psychy and madwivery could Florida say that I dont have enough hours in these areas. apparently I just had enough hours when applying to CA. Hhas anybody been refused a license because of this

any advice would be welcome

cheers trevor

suzanne4, RN · Jan 18, 2006

Remember that it is only the NCLEX exam that has reciprocity, educational requirements are not 100% guaranteed to be accepted in all states. But since CA accepted your documents, and they can be quite picky, you should be okay. But you will need to get approval from Florida, they make the final determination. And if Visa Screen accepted your hours, that is again something in your favor.

Florida usually will require the CES, which is not the same as the VSC. I suggest that you contact them directly and see what they tell you, but make sure to get it in writing if they do waive the CES for you.

t.turnbull · Jan 18, 2006

Thanks suzanne

I was just a bit concerned because i have been given a job in orlando, and that if my hours wernt good enough I would be up the swanny without a paddle as the hospital is doing the immigration.