New Mexico Licensure Question

marilag16 · Nov 25, 2006

Has anyone tried to endorse his/her NM license to Arizona (AZ)? I have a Arizona employer and since I reside in the Philippines, I am not covered by the compact state rule. I understand from NM BON's website that I will be issued a single-state license. Hence, the need for endorsement.

My problem with applying in AZ is that it will take months before I get my eligibility since I still need CES (it's currently on process). I just want to take NCLEX ASAP just to get it over with and also so that my employer can file the I-140 ASAP also. I already have complete requirements for NM BON except for the $31 fingerprint fee 'draft'/whatever. I'm just thinking things through before I go out and have my TOR/RLE picked up from my school.

Is it wise to take this winding route to get a AZ license just to be able to file the I-140 ASAP? My only concern right now is the time, money is not an issue.. Thanks for your time and effort to answer my query..

kiko88 · Nov 25, 2006

what's the status of your CES for AZ?

per latest info from others here, NM bon's processing time now for eligibility can reach 2 to 3 months.

besides, it seems that filing of I-140 now will not necessarily facilitate the immigration process due to the retro. And, I understand that one requirement in filing is licensure in the state of intended employment. You can consider the time element for all of these and perhaps it will help you with your concern.

lawrence01 · Nov 25, 2006

I-140 can still be filed retro or no retro. However, during retrogression only packets 1-3 can be completed for consular processing while Adj. of Status cannot be filed for those who are currently in the U.S. via another visa.

Only proof of passing the NCLEX exam regardless of State is needed and not the license per se is needed per immigration requirements as States such as CA do not give a license for those w/o a US SSN as is proof of passing the CGFNS exam only is accepted as well to file for the I-140.

This is why people go the route pf NM and VT in the first place. They want to take the NCLEX ASAP and use the paper saying that they passed the NCLEX for teir lawyers to file for I-140 ASAP. They then either endorse to another State during the immigration process or just wait until they are in the US already then endorse depending on the State they are going to.

lawrence01 · Nov 25, 2006

It would still be wise to file for I-140 for consular processing ASAP since packets 1-3 will still be done during retro and by the time retrogression be lifted next year you will be just awaiting for the packet 4.

I think the most impt. thing besides the time element is to make sure the employer you choose is really the employer you would want to work with and not to get an employer just for the sake that someone can file a petition for you.

Many have done this and they are the ones who usually break their contracts just months into work or as soon as they get their greencard already. This is trouble.

marilag16 · Nov 25, 2006

CES was mailed from LA last Nov 18. I still have to check w/ CG later in the week. The thing is, AZ BON will only send my application packet w/ fingerprint card once they get the CES (accdg to their website). It will be thru snail mail, I believe. I have been reviewing for NCLEX for the past year, on & off. It has gotten to a point that I don't want to open my pc & books anymore . My life has been on hold for a year now due to this process. I guess, this uncertainty is what I get since the hospital is paying for everything. There's no such thing as a free lunch, ei..

Yes, I have compared NM, NY, Vermont & AZ time frames. Even if NM takes 8-10 wks, it will still be the fastest. My worry is towards any encumbrances w/ endorsement from NM to AZ. I have searched almost all threads plus Suzanne did not mention any, and so at this point, I'd like to think that there aren't, as of now..

Regarding this:

"And, I understand that one requirement in filing is licensure in the state of intended employment." (kiko88)

- This is news to me. Is this a new ruling? My friends are already in packet 2&3 for Florida and they have CA licenses.

Thanks kiko88 for your time. Suzanne also gave me some great advice. I have 24 hours to think hard & fast before Fedex picks up my school credentials for NM on Monday morning.

marilag16 · Nov 25, 2006

You got right into my head, lawrence01. The filing of the I140 is my main concern right now so that when favorable immigration laws are in place, hopefully, by next year's end :), I should be in packet 3 or better, 4.

You're right about the employer thing too. They have a great offer - maybe because they are in AZ. This makes me a bit nervous plus the fact that knowledge of Spanish is highly recommended. I have checked this city's crime rates, population, houses, school districts, etc. The figures are better than most overcrowded cities in the US. I met a FilAm preceptor last year and she had favorable info on my employer since she started with them in the 80s. She also said that it will be a great place for my family. I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed..

jeffreypink · Nov 26, 2006

i really need a definite answer as i will be submitting my application this week. which among these should i do:

1. my school sends my TOR and RLE without any payment

2. my school sends my TOR and RLE and i send the $50 payment

3. my school sends my TOR and RLE and i send my application form and FP cards including the complete payments

just to add, i graduated 1995 and some of my classmates have already gone through NMBON a few years back and their TOR and RLE were approved. we have the same curriculum and RLE since they are my classmates, should i assume that i will get approved and just send in the complete forms and fees for faster processing?

augigi, CNS · Nov 26, 2006

If you have everything done, I'd send it all. Why wait if you are ready?

lawrence01 · Nov 27, 2006

For NM applicants. You only need to send the transcripts from your school directly to them. Please read Section III B of the application forms.

It says there clearly that foreign transcripts must request an evaluation credentials to determine if they meet the requirements of the NM boards by 1) submitting first their transcript directly to the boards or 2) a notarized CGFNS Certificate in lieu of their evaluation.

Here's the link: http://www.bon.state.nm.us/forms/ExamApp.pdf

Here's another link that most are confused at: http://www.bon.state.nm.us/forms/NONUSed.pdf

As you can see it does not differ from section III B found in the application form and it even have a complete step-by-step procedure on what to do.

It also says there to allow 35 days for transcript review. So, it means the NM boards are really the ones who will review it.

Their procedure is unique in that they allow for your school to send the transcripts 1st to them for evaluation prior to giving your fees, application forms, and f.print cards. They will even charge applicants an additional $50 in addition to the application form fee for having approved your transcript. They are doing this procedure so that you only get charged the $50 and let you send in the application forms and fee if your transcripts were already approve by them (NM Boards); if your transcripts weren''t approved then you do not send in your application forms and fee plus the $50 for the transcript evaluation. This is only the changes I see initially.

Hope everything is clear already. Please download and print the forms found on the links above and read the hard copy and you will see that the procedures are quite clear.

And as you can see there is no mention on anywhere on any forms in their website that a CES course-by-course report is required and what is the aditional $50 dollars for?? They said that it's the fee for them having approved your transcript and that it will now take them 35 days for transcript review.

If someone is telling you that a CES is required then ask them where they got that info and show it to you. The table done by CGFNS dated Sept. 2006 is inaccurate and they even have several disclaimer statements below that table saying that it is on the best info. they have and that applicants must go to their respective State BON website for more details and follow their instructions. If they have a diff. info. applicants must follow the instructions set by the boards and not the CGFNS. It is the State BON or BRN who will be granting you the eligibility letter to sit for the NCLEX and not CGFNS. If availing CGFNS' service such as the VisaScreen for immigration, you follow their instructions and req'ts set fort by them as well.

I really can't explain it more clearly than this. Sorry.

Also, follow Starbee's post on post # 345.

lawrence01 · Nov 28, 2006

For those that insists that a CES course-by-course report is needed for NM you may do whatever you want. I just gave my opinion and my own analysis. It's not my money anyway and I'm not applying to NM.

I, however, do not understand if Ms. Sabrina Vidaurri has already informed someone that his or her transcripts has been approved and gave someone instructions to give his or her application forms and f.print cards and appropriate fees, including the additional $50 for having the NM Board approved their transcript and still wants to avail of the CES then go ahead.

Also, NM BON previously required the CES before as a requirement and then did their own evaluation for a fee of course. Makes no sense to revert back to requiring the CES again when the boards already have the ability to evaluate foreign transcripts for a fee. But again, this is just my humble opinion.

This would be my last post re: this issue.

Here's the link to CGFNS' CES: CGFNS International

The full CES course-by-course report costs $328 while the other one costs $278. Make sure you know w/c one they want.

lawrence01 · Nov 29, 2006

Just FYI for everyone - The full course-by-course report and the healthcare course-by-course report are both CES as stated on CGNFS' website. Link already given. Thanks

lawrence01 · Nov 29, 2006

NM Board just recently updated their req'ts for foreign RNs from their website.

See: http://www.bon.state.nm.us/forms/NONUSed.pdf

Note the highlighted box now that was not their before. I, however, do believe that applicants whose transcripts were already approved directly by their boards and was given already instructions to just give the application forms, fees and f.card may still do so, esp. the ones who already did it before the new ruling were announced. These applicants should be the last batch where-in the NM boards will evaluate it directly and of course, needless to say that if they will be giving a message to you reversing their previous pronouncements. Contact the boards or e-mail Ms. Sabrina Vidaurri for those caught in the middle of the changes in the rulings and be kind enough to post it here for the benefit of everyone who is in the same predicament.

These sort of things happens all the time but mostly from those States that previously required the CGFNS Certificate or the CES and downgrading (i.e. CGFNS cert. to CES only or CES to own State evaluation) and what they do is to accept the previous req't in lieu of the new one for the transition period only, unless they will have a standing order that if an applicant already has a certain Certificate or Report that they will still accept it in lieu of the new one. So, I don't see why those whose transcripts were already approved directly by the boards and given instructions to proceed w/ the rest of the req't will be made to require the new req't all of the sudden. But the best one to answer this would always be the boards or the one in charge of this.