Licensed out of state right after graduation? Or in two states?

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I graduate this month with my BSN. I'm in southeast Michigan (enough said) and I'm actively looking for a position in Colorado so I can move out of state. I'm looking at other states too, but I would really like to move to CO. I'm concerned because many employers would need me to have my Colorado nursing license by mid-October. According to my nursing adviser, that's not enough time for me to get licensed here in Michigan first. Michigan isn't a compact state and I do have some small job leads here. I guess I'm worried that if I have my NCLEX results sent to Colorado, and get licensed there, then I will end up getting hired here in Michigan and not have my MI license. I've been trying to contact the boards of nursing to find out more but no one seems to know what to tell me.

Can I apply to two states at the same time? I thought you couldn't have more than one license pending at the same time, but I can't remember where I heard that. Ideally I would apply to MI and CO to cover both bases. Has anyone done this before?

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Specializes in Telemetry.

I would do the license for Michigan first then do an endorsement for Colorado. I was in that predicament because I wanted to go to NY. But I got my Florida License first and now I got a job in Florida.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I think you do have to limit it to one state for initial licensure by exam.

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I would love to know if anyone has more information on this. I'm in a similar situation. Just graduated in AL, want to move to NYC and am applying to jobs in NY. I'd also like to be able to apply to NJ because it's right across the river but I don't know how difficult it is or how long it takes to transfer licenses, etc.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

License in one state, endorse into another. You only take the NCLEX once.

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OK this is what I have found out. LunahRN is correct, you can only apply for your initial license in one state. All other licenses have to be acquired through endorsement. So according to everyone I've spoken too, this would NOT give me enough time to be licensed in Colorado in time for the program.

I also found out an important thing...once a state has sent you your Authorization To Test (ATT) that is the state you MUST apply for initial licensure in. No switching it after that point.

So this is what I'm going to do. I really do want to get out of Michigan. I've been looking forward to leaving for years...I was just waiting to graduate. So I'm going to contact my school and ask them not to send my information to the state. The state can't send me an ATT until they receive my school information (and if I change my mind later, they'll send it in then). If my school refuses or can't guarantee they won't forget and send it in, I need to fax the Michigan board of nursing a statement requesting that they withdraw my application. I will then apply for my license in Colorado, tell Pearson Vue to send my NCLEX results there, but take the test in Michigan. I will continue applying for jobs in Colorado and keep my eye out in Michigan too. If I haven't been hired in Colorado by the time that license is through, I will apply for a license via endorsement in Michigan. Then I'll go or stay, depending on where I can find a job. Sounds like a plan! :cool:

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Okay, this may be a stupid question but I just didn't realize it: but you can apply for licensure in a different state than the one you physically test in? You can just tell them where to send your results?

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Okay, this may be a stupid question but I just didn't realize it: but you can apply for licensure in a different state than the one you physically test in? You can just tell them where to send your results?

No, not stupid at all. When you register for the NCLEX you pay your $200 fee and tell them where to send the results. They don't care where you take it, or where they send it, because it's all submitted electronically anyway. Since I already registered and told them to send my results to Michigan I have to pay a $50 fee to change the state to Colorado. I think that's a bit high but hey, I guess it keeps people from switching states all the time. Once I receive my ATT and actually schedule the test I can take it in any state I want. One of my classmates is planning on taking it in Florida before she starts her vacation.

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im glad u started this! I am graduating in Dec and am in Fl and want to go t Co!

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

I am taking the NCLEX in NY but planning on applying in a few different states. The problem is that hospitals in each state want you to be licensed in that state before considering your application... but I don't want to spend time and $$$ getting licensed in a state where I might not get a job offer anyway.

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im glad u started this! I am graduating in Dec and am in Fl and want to go t Co!

Hey, did you make it to Colorado? I'm planning on getting my original license via examination in Colorado and hoping I get a job there after I graduate in December. Any tips? It looks like on the application they want you to be a resident already? I can't get anyone who knows anything to answer my calls there.

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No i am still not in Co :( I ended up getting my license in Fl then getting it endorsed and it was def the best thing to do. It only took like 2 weeks tops to get my license from CO. The job market is HORRIBLE in Colorado for new grads! I have applied to hundreds of jobs and now have 6 months experience on a medical unit and still nothing. If you can get a job where you are it might be worth it at the beginning then move to Co. If you have any more questions feel free to ask.

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