Is there any time frame to take NCLEX-LVN in CALIFORNIA?

[curious09]

Hi everybody,

Let me say this first, allnurses.com has been encyclopedia for me. I am learning and enjoying everyday here. This is my first post. I finished my LVN classes two months ago, and yet did not take NCLEX-LVN. Now I have to fly out from USA for six months. So my question is, how much time(maximum) I can wait to take LVN-NCLEX in CALIFORNIA? Is there any time restriction from BVNPT (Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians) to take this test, like if you wait 2 or 3 years then you have to take whole LVN classes again? I know I won't be studying for 6 six months and then after coming back I have to start studying from Zero:scrying:. So I don't know how much time I will take to pass the NCLEX-LVN, but gotta go family circumstances........

Any expert advice would be greatly appreciated or any website about it. I tried to Google it but couldn't get the real answer.

Thank you very much

Curios09

[hummingbird11]

I don't think there is a time limit, but once you apply for a testing number (ATT) you have six months to take the test. Call the board to be sure!

[curious09]

Thank you very much.

curious09

[NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN]

I was just going to say the samething that Hummingbird said.

[hlw116]

Hi Curios09,

I know this is not related to your question..but I am wondering where did you finished your LVN program? (I am trying to find a LVN program, but dunno which one is the best.)

Thanks.

-Helen

[NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN]

Helen where do you live exactly? If you go to the board of vocational nursing there is a list of accredited schools. Start your search from there. Hope this helps and good luck!

[sasyone]

The Board gives you six months to pay Pearson Vue to get an ATT and then Pearson gives you six months to take your test so you have a year if you do all the timelines at the last minute. However, if you don't pay Pearson within the 6 months the Board puts your file from approved back to pending. (your file must be in approved status to receive an ATT)

The Board keeps files with no activity for 2 years. If you have not taken the test or added additional info to your file in 2 years, your file is deemed abondoned and is destroyed You'll have to submit ALL paperwork again. If you are in a location where you cannot take the test and the Board's 6 month timeline has passed, your file goes back to pending instead of approved. To get it back to approved you will need to call the Board and ask for a retake form (even if you didn't take the test) and pay a $75 fee to be re-approved. If you can't take the test for a few years, you need to do something with your file every two years to keep it active and not destroyed. (pay retake fees)

Also, you asked about going back to school if you wait. The Board does not require re-attending school. Education at this point does not expire. Better pass rates for those who take the test soon after graduating though! Make sure you order copies of your transcripts after graduation as we got calls all the time for copies of licensee's transcripts in their files as their school had closed. BVNPT does not receive full transcripts from accredited schools, only a completed form from the Director so you'd be out of luck if an RN program won't accept that form and wants a transcript.

Are you going somewhere where there is a Pearson Vue testing site? You don't have to take the test in CA to get a CA license--you can test at any PV site. You just need to mark that you are testing for CA when registering with Pearson Vue.