Nursing student moving NLC states after graduation

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I am a mature student and will be graduating with my ADN in May 2020 in Texas. My family is planning a move to the Denver, Colorado area in June/July of 2020 as my daughters will start college in the fall 2020. Texas and Colorado are both part of the Nurse Licensure Compact but I won't take the NCLEX until June/July 2020 so I won't be licensed by the time we move. Any advice? We have to be in Colorado by August so my youngest can start high school in Colorado. Thank you in advance!

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Specializes in oncology, MS/tele/stepdown.

The multi-state thing matters less than where you take your NCLEX and what state you are a resident of when you take it.

If your plan is to move and then take your NCLEX, you will qualify for a CO multi-state license because you will be a CO resident at that time. If your plan is to take the NCLEX in TX and then move, you can get your TX multi-state, then switch it to CO when you are a formal resident of CO, which is probably a form and paying a fee; in the meantime, while you are moving/job hunting/reorganizing your life, you can apply for jobs and truthfully state that you have a valid license to work in CO.

Good luck on all your transitions!

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Just take the nclex in Colorado and apply for your initial license in Colorado

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Thank you both! That is helpful. It never occurred to me that I can take the NCLEX in Co. I guess I just need to make sure that my program meets all the qualifications to test in CO...I will look into that!

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