moving to a different state after graduation

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi,

I will be graduating a year from now with my RN from Arizona and plan on moving to Nevada after graduation. My question is if I take the NCLEX in Arizona will I have to take it again in Nevada? (Nevada is not part of the NLC) After a couple years of living in Nevada I do plan on moving back to Arizona so I want to be able to move from each state easily. How does it work because I am kind of confused?

Thanks a bunch!

-Erika

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Apply for licensure in Nevada and take the exam in Arizona. Once you're licensed, you can apply to any and all states you wish. You only have to pass once.

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.

Pass the exam then apply to 'transfer' your license wherever you choose.

cheers,

Roy (graduated - but never licensed - in NY. Have worked in 2 different states since).

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Pass the exam then apply to 'transfer' your license wherever you choose.

Unless something has changed, you apply for licensure BEFORE taking the exam. When I took it you couldn't take it WITHOUT applying for state licensure first.

Also - once again, unless something has changed - licenses are not transfered, they are applied for. You don't give up an old license just because you've applied for another, which is what 'transferring' implies. In computer lingo, think of it as copying and pasting your license versus cutting and pasting it; the original is unchanged.

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Specializes in Home Health, SNF.

I took my LPN exam in Pennsylvania. Then I moved to Florida. I simply transferred my license, it took about six weeks, but no retesting.

Good luck

Roxann

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Specializes in SRNA.

When you're about 90 days out from graduation, fill out Nevada's Application for Nursing License by Examination form and submit. Nevada requires fingerprints, background check, and copies of transcripts to be submitted also (Nevada was where I went to school and got my initial license). You can apply for your license before you graduate - they'll keep your application open, awaiting all your required documents. Apply early, fingerprinting and background checks can take time!

You'll also have to register to take the NCLEX at http://www.pearsonvue.com/nclex and once you get the approval to take the NCLEX you register for a date to take the test and you can select any testing center in the US (So you can take it in AZ if you're still there) and you also select which Board of Nursing you want the results sent to (Nevada in your case if that's where you want to work). Once you pass, NV will get notified that you passed and issue you your license.

Later when you want to move to another state, you apply for licensure by endorsement. You basically pay fees, may have supplemental forms, and you get a new license to work in the new state. You don't have to retake NCLEX.

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Specializes in Cardiology.

OK, I went to school in CO and my hubby accepted a job in NC the day before I took my NCLEX in 2004, so I have some experience with this ;)

Definitely, get the licensing process over with before you move anywhere! You'll need your school friends as a support system and your school's resources to make sure paperwork glitches get fixed (no school wants to hold up its proud grads' licensure!) And it'll be one major stressor off your back when you're going through the stress of a move.

Then, as soon as it's all official, apply for licensure by endorsement in NV. You will not have to take the NCLEX again. The process is a royal pain and will cost you some money. It will also take forever (mine took almost 3 months). But at least in the meantime, you are licensed and able to work in your current state. When the Nevada license comes through, you are still licensed in Arizona. So if you may be moving back and forth between the two, just keep up the fees and requirements to maintain both!

I kept up my CO license "just in case" until last year ... guess I am truly a Southerner now!

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Specializes in med-surg 5 years geriatrics 12 years.

I graduated in Nebraska and moved to Montana and took boards there. Was no problem but that was back in the 2 days of pencil and paper and 6 weeks to wait for results era.

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Specializes in SRNA.

Still, there is no reason to get an AZ license if you plan on working in NV first. You can apply for initial licensure in NV and forget about getting an AZ license, unless you want to pay double the fees for a license you aren't going to use.

IMO, if you're moving to NV to work after school, get a NV license. You can endorse to AZ before you move back.

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