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Discussion

Reciprocity...

Hi. I am currently a student in a LPN program in California and am graduating this year. However, I plan on moving and working in Massachusetts soon after I finish and I was wondering if it would be easier to move first and take the NCLEX test in Massachusetts or take it in California and then apply for reciprocity in Massachusetts? If I do take the second option, is California part of the Nursys verification service? Thanks for your help.

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you can apply for a Massachusetts license and take the NCLEX in California. When you pass the NCLEX your results will be forwarded to the MA board of Nursing and they will send you your nursing license. You can take the NCLEX anywhere you want..you don't have to be in your new state to take the exam there. I know because I went to school in GA and then moved to Texas shortly after I graduated. I applied for a TX license while in GA and took the NCLEX before I moved. My results automatically got send to the TX board of Nursing and they sent me my new license. If you want further proof read the bulletin for the NCLEX. Look under scheduling procedures.

Hope this helps. GOOD LUCK!

alex1

http://www.pearsonvue.com/nclex/bulletin_07.pdf

FYI: reciprocity simply means each state accepts NCLEX as the board exam. In the past each state had their own test. Now it is "universal" within the USA and territories. Some states also participate in Compact. That means your license in your home state would allow you to work in another compact state. This is great for people who live on the borders or travel.

Oh please tell me this is true! I'd heard rumors that they were going to make it a nationwide thing. I hadn't heard that they actually did it.

I am going to school in Texas and planning to move to Ohio when I'm through. I would love it if I didn't have to take another NCLEX.

Okay, so apply for an Ohio license then take NCLEX in Texas. Got it.

Thanks for the information.

Oh please tell me this is true! I'd heard rumors that they were going to make it a nationwide thing. I hadn't heard that they actually did it.

I am going to school in Texas and planning to move to Ohio when I'm through. I would love it if I didn't have to take another NCLEX.

Okay, so apply for an Ohio license then take NCLEX in Texas. Got it.

Thanks for the information.

As far as I am aware NCLEX is accepted in all states but you still have to follow local state requirements for endorcement

  • Expert

Just to clear up a few misconceptions:

NCLEX is a national exam, there is only one exam and it is good for all fifty states, plus US territories. You only take the exam once and results are valid for all states and territories.

There is no such thing as a state specific NCLEX exam.

It does not matter where you take the exam, it does not influence the questions that you get on the exam. Each exam is individualized to the person that is writing it. It is what is called a CAT exam. Each question that you get is based on the question before and how you answered it.

Only the NCLEX exam has reciprocity. There is no such thing as license reciprocity. You will need to endorse to any new state that you wish to work in. You will need to meet the educational requirements of the new state, and they may be different from where you got your license initially.

Compact License is only good if you keep a legal residence in the state where you got licensed. If you move your residence, then the compact part of the license becomes null and void.

Hope that this helps.:balloons:

I am licensed RN in California but would like to work in Virginia, Can I apply for reciprocity? Will Virginia accept my reciprocity application? What are the other states that would accept my California license?

I am licensed RN in California but would like to work in Virginia, Can I apply for reciprocity? Will Virginia accept my reciprocity application? What are the other states that would accept my California license?

All you need to do is follow requirements for endorsement but being foreign trained you will probably have to meet the requirements for foreign trained nurse and this could mean getting CES done with CGFNS. Please read Suzanne's post just above yours, it explains it all

What has been said about the NCLEX is completely true.

I am, however, enclosing a link to information about states that are part of, or going to be, the Compact. This also explains What the compact is and what it can mean for you and your situation.

Compact

Good luck

Compact is not applicable for foreign trained nurses who are still waiting to move to the US. You need to be living in one state whilst working in another.

This is a good explanation on the AZ BON site

The mutual recognition model of nurse licensure allows a nurse to have one license (in his or her state of residency) and to practice in other states (both physical and electronic), subject to each state's practice law and regulation. Under mutual recognition, a nurse may practice across state lines unless otherwise restricted.

Multistate Licensure

How about if i have a license in California, then i want to move in New Jersey. Do i have to work in California first before i can move to New Jersey? How many months or years? I've already applied for Visa Screen, do i have to send those requirements by mail again if i apply for CES? or Will CGFNS just use what i've sent for my Visa Screen? Thank you very much.

oh and.. if i endorse to another state... will my california license be no longer valid? is it possible to be licensed to two states? thank you very much! =)

How about if i have a license in California, then i want to move in New Jersey. Do i have to work in California first before i can move to New Jersey? How many months or years? I've already applied for Visa Screen, do i have to send those requirements by mail again if i apply for CES? or Will CGFNS just use what i've sent for my Visa Screen? Thank you very much.

No you do not have to work in CA before moving to NJ. Not sure I know if done the other way ie CES then VSC you do not have to send again but may be worth contacting them. Be aware CA will not issue a hard license because you do not have a SSN and will not get one until in the US with a valid work permit. There is a sicky in the International forum which explains what to do as you have no license to endorse so slightly different procedure to follow

oh and.. if i endorse to another state... will my california license be no longer valid? is it possible to be licensed to two states? thank you very much! =)

You can have a valid license in many states as long as you meet requirements and pay fees

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