NCLEX ? in different states

[ORhopeful]

I just got into University of Southern Nevada. I currently live in CA. When I complete my BSN do I have to take the NCLEX in NV or can I come back to CA to take it? I think I must take it in NV. Once I do how do I get back into CA to work? Must I take a CA exam? I am very confused to what the laws are on this. I don't understand why the NCLEX is not a national test; if you take it in one state you should be able to work in another. Why does each state have their own test?

[Orenda]

NCLEX is a national test. I have a friend registered in Colorado and she moved to California, all she did was just registered with the California board of nursing and pay the money to be licensed in California. Good luck with school.

[sarahlpnwannabe]

I dont think it matters where you go to school as long as you're licensed to work in the state where you actually want to work. I'm pretty sure you'll be able to take the test in CA once you're done with school, you might not be forced to take it in NV, if so, you might want to look at schools in CA to make your life that much easier. But I dont see why you won't be able to go and test in CA, you'll just be lisenced to work in CA, and if you chose to work in a different state then you'll have to re-take the test in that state...I think that's how it works. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong cause this is something I'd like to be certain on as well.

Good luck with that nealthenurse :nuke:

[dragonflyRN]

You only have to take the NCLEX once. You can take it in any state. I went to school in Ohio, lived in Michigan, took my NCLEX in Michigan and received my first state licensure in Ohio because that is where I applied for licensure. To obtain licensure in another state, you must endorse to that state. Look at the state board of nursing website for specific instructions for that state. They vary...all will incur a fee, some use NURSYS for endorsement, some require a passport photo, all will check your background... The good news...is that you don't ever have to retake the NCLEX!!!

[sarahlpnwannabe]

good to know. thanks =]

[ORhopeful]

Thank you for clearing that up.

[Mookie427]

I dont know how it works in NV. I moved from NY to Florida to attend nursing school. The school I attended verified that i was NCLEX eligible. I registered to take the test in Florida. At the time you register, you inform the test agency what state Board of Nursing you want notified of your score. I had Florida notified. On a trip to NY just after passing the board, i inquired at a hospital what the procedure would be to have my licensure for NY. That nursing recruiter told me all that was required was my Florida license, and that the hospital would take care of my obtaining NY licensure. The fee would be paid for by that hospital. No additional testing is required to obtain your license in another state.

Take your boards where you feel comfortable. If you dont want to "rush' home to CA and want to study in NV and take the boards then go home, i would advise that. For me studying for the NCLEX was my 'full time' job for 8 weeks after i graduated.

Thats the good thing about nursing.. just make sure you are current with your CE's and no additional testing for licensure in another state. I ended up staying in Florida.

Good luck.