Nurse from Kenya failed NCLEX times 2 in Texas, wants to test in Arizona

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I'm a RN from Kenya, I did my NCLEX RN twice but failed through texas board of nursing, I applied with Arizona state board of nursing yesterday by they said I need to have completed an international by exam with foreign education application first, I would like to know more about this thos

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12 Answers

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

It sounds like you're getting your nursing license in the U.S. through Arizona after your NCLEX attempts in Texas. The Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN) requires international-trained nurses like yourself to complete a Foreign Education Review as part of the licensure process.

Here's a breakdown of what that entails. This may be similar to your Texas application.

Foreign Education Review (FEE) Process

  • This evaluates your nursing education to ensure it meets U.S. standards. It's typically done by a Credentialing Evaluation Service, like the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) or other board-approved agencies. The evaluation compares your education to the standards required for U.S. nurses.
  • The review will assess your nursing curriculum, clinical hours, and educational experience. They'll make sure your education aligns with U.S. requirements. You may also need to provide official transcripts, course syllabi, and translations if they are not in English.
  • The agency will send a report to the Arizona State Board of Nursing to confirm that your foreign education meets the requirements.

Steps to Complete the Foreign Education Application

  • If you haven't already, you must choose an evaluation agency recognized by the AZBN, like CGFNS, and request an evaluation of your foreign education.
  • You must submit your transcripts, proof of graduation, and course descriptions. If your documents are not in English, they must be officially translated.
  •  Depending on the agency and how quickly they process applications, this process may take several weeks to a few months.
  • Once the evaluation is complete, the agency will send the evaluation report directly to the Arizona State Board of Nursing.

Other Requirements

  • English Proficiency. If you completed your nursing education in a non-English speaking country, you may need to prove English language proficiency through exams like TOEFL or IELTS.
  • NCLEX Examination: After your foreign education evaluation is approved, you must retake the NCLEX exam. Arizona may have specific guidelines for this.

Cost and Timeframe

The evaluation process typically costs $200–$500, depending on your chosen agency. You should also consider any additional fees for document translations or expedited processing.

The evaluation can take anywhere from 4–8 weeks, but delays are possible if there are any issues with the submitted documents.

After the Evaluation

If your education is deemed equivalent to U.S. standards, you can apply for licensure in Arizona, including scheduling and taking the NCLEX if you haven't passed yet.

If there are any deficiencies, you may be required to take additional courses or training before being allowed to sit for the NCLEX.

Since you've already applied to Arizona, I recommend following up with the board if you have any additional questions about which evaluation service they accept or if you need assistance with the application.

They should provide detailed steps on how to complete this process.

Very best wishes,

Nurse Beth

 

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Hope you have read AZ Board of Nursing Regulation info

32-1634.01. Qualifications of international registered nurses; application for license; examination

Rules: https://apps.azsos.gov/public_services/Title_04/4-19.pdf#page=23

NCLEX is a national exam, not state specific.  Allnurses RESOURCES section has tons of info re newest NCLEX test that may be of help to you in passing exam.  Best wishes in your nursing journey.

Nurse Beth offered many ideas here regarding NCLEX resources available on the internet.

Hello! 

So, when they tell you that you need to provide a foreign education application it basically means that you need to apply for CES in BOARD OF NURSING IN ARIZONA since you are applying in Arizona. CES stands for Credential Evaluation Services. You can apply by going to the CGFNS website. You need to create an account on CGFNS if you don't have one yet. It will give you forms for CES that you need to print out, you need to read it and then fill out the parts that you need to fill out because you will need to send the form for your school to fill out. Basically CES will consist of your transcript and the hours of duty that you did while in Kenya to see if your credentials matches the standard of USA.  Your school will fill out the forms that you give to them and send to CGFNS to be able to evaluate your "FOREIGN EDUCATION APPLICATION." (If you are in the USA already and you did your nursing in Kenya, have a relative to walk it for you, or you go to Kenya to do this)

Also, if you took your nursing board exam in Kenya, you must also get the license verification form and fill that out. Then the forms for that you have to send to the Nursing Council of Kenya and then they have to fill that out and then send it to CGFNS. (If you are in USA already and you are a registered nurse in Kenya then have a relative walk this for you or you go to Kenya to do this then.) 

Anyways, the account that you made on the website in CGFNS will update you if your papers are being processed or if you lack something that you need to provide. 

 

Also, like what the first two comments said, once your CES (your transcripts and duty of hours) are accepted into USA standards that's when you have to take the ENGLISH exam before you can sit in for the nursing exam. (But if you are done with the ENGLISH EXAM) then you can sit in for the NCLEX-RN as long as your CES is accepted in Board of nursing Arizona. That's when you can try again for NCLEX.  (Look at your account or in the comments here how long it would take for them to process your CES. It said it would take for the evaluation for your CES (transcript) around 4-8 week) 

Hope that helps. 

The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States, Canada, and Australia since 1982, 2015, and 2020, respectively. If you are struggling with passing this exam, taking in another state will not make a difference as it is the same no matter the state since it is a national requirement. Might I suggest a refresher course, especially if it has been some time since you went to nursing school?

Maybe she thinks that taking the NCLEX somewhere else would be easier? Sadly, if that's the case, she heard or think wrong. NCLEX is the same for everywhere else no matter where you take it. 

Well, I wish her all the good luck in passing NCLEX. I know it's hard but she can do it! 

kbrn2002 said:

... I know you need to have AZ as your primary state of residence to qualify for a multi-state license but I have not a clue if you need to live there to get a single state license.

Yes, you can; if you're not a resident of another compact state. 

Although, I've heard that some compact states will allow residents of other compact states to apply for licensure, if the applicant intends to relocate to that state.

Specializes in Occupational Health.

Just curious why you wouldn't take the NCLEX again in Texas if you already have everything in place? Sounds like a big hassle to go through this process again for Arizona...

Study the NCLEX materials reference above, take a NCLEX prep course, etc., and retake the NCLEX again in Texas

sleepwalker said:

Just curious why you wouldn't take the NCLEX again in Texas if you already have everything in place? Sounds like a big hassle to go through this process again for Arizona...

Study the NCLEX materials reference above, take a NCLEX prep course, etc., and retake the NCLEX again in Texas

I think there might be a limit to taking NCLEX in Texas. Maybe she reached the limit from taking it so she needs to move to another state? It says she can take NCLEX 8 times in Texas. 

Specializes in Occupational Health.
Kay Chan said:

I think there might be a limit to taking NCLEX in Texas. Maybe she reached the limit from taking it so she needs to move to another state? It says she can take NCLEX 8 times in Texas. 

It says she did her "NCLEX RN twice" in her original posting.

You are correct that you can take it 8 times in Texas...thus my question

Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.
sleepwalker said:

Just curious why you wouldn't take the NCLEX again in Texas if you already have everything in place? Sounds like a big hassle to go through this process again for Arizona...

Study the NCLEX materials reference above, take a NCLEX prep course, etc., and retake the NCLEX again in Texas

This exactly. Getting all the required paperwork together and taking the required pre-tests sounds like quite a bit of work to go through again. Unless OP plans to move to and work in AZ why apply for a license there?  Another consideration , does Arizona have a residency requirement to get a license there? I know you need to have AZ as your primary state of residence to qualify for a multi-state license but I have not a clue if you need to live there to get a single state license.

I am a little confused. Did you reach the maximum number of attempts for the NCLEX in Texas?

Arizona will still make you take the NCLEX. The exam is not specific to any state. Every nurse has to take it. 

I agree w/most posters as the NCLEX is a national test so it's not easier in AZ v TX and since all the paperwork was completed in TX, she should try again as  TX allows you to take the NCLEX up to 8 times per year, with a 45-day waiting period between each attempt.    Spend the 45 days reviewing the NCLEX exam reference book which helps you understand how the questions are formulated.  Pay attention to each word in the question and remember that 2 out 4 answers are so wrong and 2 could be right so re-read those 2 as there is a word in the ? that makes 1 answer not as good as the 1 that is right.  Honestly, if you study the reference books, you will ace the exam.  If not, then take the nursing refresher course as it might be a cultural issue for foreign students to overcome.  

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