NCLEX stands for...

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Aug 7, 2015

National Council Licensure Examination.

There seems to be some confusion out there on what, exactly, the examination each candidate for a State nursing license is taking.

While every State has its own Board of Nursing, and that BoN is the entity that determines the eligibility requirements every applicant must meet in order to be granted a nursing license in that particular State, the licensing exam ITSELF is IDENTICAL no matter where anyone takes it.

There is no "California NCLEX". There is no "Pennsylvania NCLEX". It is a national exam. And you can take this exam ANYWHERE, regardless of what State your application is with.

Why is this relevant to know? Because there are many times that students or recent graduates anticipate gaining a nursing license in a specific State and go to great lengths to make travel plans for the purposes of testing. And it's all unnecessary.

If you wish to practice in New York State, you must gain a license from NY. However, you can mail in the application to the BoN from anywhere, and once the Authorization To Test (ATT) has been issued, you can take the NCLEX anywhere your little heart desires :)

Sometimes people seek a license in a State they do not wish to work; they have not met the eligibility requirements for their own State and seek "a way around" the regulations. Ok, sometimes that does indeed work. The license is obtained from a different State, and then the candidate takes THAT license and applies for an endorsement to the license (essentially, another license) from the State in which they want to work. Have to pay all those fees again, but.....it's an option.

Sometimes a State will refuse to grant a license to an applicant, even though they hold a license elsewhere, if the BoN sees a problem. Doesn't happen often, but any applicant should be aware of possible roadblocks and have a plan to deal with them should they arise.

Lastly, as this IS a national exam, it will not be easier or more difficult for you to take the test for this State or that one. What makes any State more difficult or more easy to obtain a license is the application process itself, and the eligibility requirements. NOT the exam.

Good luck to everyone :)