Retaking Nclex - CA after 5 years

nursephillyphil, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2013

I think your safest bet would be to call the Ca BRN and pearsonvue.

nurse2us · Oct 17, 2013

Hi Nursephillyphil :)

I inquired to Pearson Vue but they told me to contact the Ca BON. Its just that I have a hard time getting hold of them because of the time difference and Im at work when its their office hours

steppybay · Oct 18, 2013

Kabayan, you should know that the CA BRN has not given the ATT to the thousands of other PH grads and nurses since Nov. 2011, due to the PH curriculum has not met the CA BRN minimum educational requirements, unless you graduated prior to 2005. It doesn't matter if you qualified five years or even last year and tried to re-apply, there's a very high chance that the application will be denied.

You'll also find that ones that got the chance to take the NCLEX but failed, will most likely be denied the chance to re-take it again as each re-application is always subject to a new review.

Go to the World section and look under the "Nurse Registration" tab, you'll find all your answers to why?

Here's just one of many topics and it's NOT a new requirement, but rather the enforcement of a written policy since 1987: https://allnurses.com/nurse-registration/ca-brn-new-631735.html

This even applies to any US citizen, dual citizen, green card holder AND you received your BSN from the Phils, don't count CA as a place to find a job as a nurse or in about 13 other states, again, you'll find all your concerns in the World section.

Yes, you will have to re-apply again, so that means the request for all transcripts, make sure you have copies of your clinical cases, it will be asked. Just know that any and all fees submitted is NOT refundable, even if they reject or denied or approve the application.

nurse2us · Oct 18, 2013

Hello Kabayan Steppybay!

Yeah, I was able to talked to one of the agents in Ca BRN yesterday and they told me that I have to have a SSN to file an application for CA NCLEX. I had no clue that there were so many changes since I left for New Zealand. I guess I just have to take IELTS first while waiting for our Visa and hopefully take the NCLEX when I arrived there.

Thanks so much! You guys are generous in giving info!

steppybay · Oct 18, 2013

Very good...what is your visa's priority date now? Are you already working as a nurse in NZ?

Just make sure that you know with a strong conviction that all your PH courses were taken and done concurrently meaning you did your clinicals and theoreticals done in the same semester, not months before or after or a year or two later (this applies for the cases), as that is what will cause the problems with the transcripts review process.

nurse2us · Oct 18, 2013

Yes,I've done them same semesters and I didn't stop nor had a gap during University years.

Yes, Im a Registered nurse here in NZ for more than 2yrs now. I also have my Australian License.

I'm just a dependent of my husband. He's working on his US papers now, his priority date is December 2006. The agency said if all goes well,he'll be there by the end of next year because his priority date is current.

What about you? how long have you been there? in what state?

What do you think, is it better if I just take/process my Nckex when I get there?

steppybay · Oct 18, 2013

You should have no problems with meeting the CA BRN concurrency rules as you had them done together. Do you know of others from your same school and same courses and same graduating class year that got their ATT in CA and applied after Nov. 2011? If so, they would also might know that you're not going to have problems.

I'm in CA already but going to decide with a couple of others on what state to work in. Our plans to go to the different states and cities for visits has been slightly delayed due to one person, but that's ok.

With the NCLEX, it's whenever you feel ready, but that's not an easy thing to do. You can take the NCLEX anywhere pretty much all over the world where it's offered, as it's the same standardized exam whether you're in the States or overseas. Since the exam is presented differently than the persons sitting around you, no one gets the same exam questions in the same exact order on any given day.

With that in mind, you can already prepare to study for the exam today while you wait for the approval from whatever state you apply into, as you should know, in the state's BON all will take several months up to a year before you get the ATT. It also depends on how fast the PRC will process the forms needed, that alone can take months. Start today and you may have your answer by the time your husband makes his way over, lol.

Just make sure you have copies of your clinical cases from the PH school or your school still has them, as the CA BRN wants to see them and see if they are matching with the sealed transcripts, this has been the downfall of several applicants who gets denied and eventually their application gets abandoned if unable to provide them within the first year of the application date.

nette13 · Feb 28, 2014

Hi! did you take your NCLEX already? what form did you fill up? is it the retake/ reapply form? i took my NCLEX 5 years ago and didnt pass. was wondering if they could use the old file. any info would be helpful. thanx

steppybay · Mar 1, 2014

Hi! did you take your NCLEX already? what form did you fill up? is it the retake/ reapply form? i took my NCLEX 5 years ago and didnt pass. was wondering if they could use the old file. any info would be helpful. thanx

If you have the SS# that's work authorized, then proceed with caution with the CA BRN. If you don't have a SS#, the application (as a first-time) form will be automatically rejected (effective April, 2010).

I say proceed with caution as if you graduated prior to 2005, you may have a chance to get the ATT but that's subject to change at any time.

CA BRN will not use any old files, there's been more reviewing of the PH applicants under the microscope due to the fraudulent documentation being submitted and in fact, the CA BRN will be asking much more documentation than ever before. Read the other threads on those, along with copies of your passport stamps and the whole booklet.

Even if you had other batchmates who got their license in CA before it was probably before the November 2011 strict enforcement date of the concurrency rules and possible missing school courses.

Assuming you don't have a valid working SS# for now, there are a few states that will allow you to take the NCLEX-RN and some will not release the license till you provide them with the SS# and there are some that will. BUT without having the proper SS#, no legit US employer will consider your application as eligible to be hired.

nette13 · Mar 2, 2014

Yes I have my SSN. I called CA BRN and my old file has been deleted and asked to fill up for a new application.

Do you know of any State that has less requirements than the CA has today?

steppybay · Mar 2, 2014

Yes I have my SSN. I called CA BRN and my old file has been deleted and asked to fill up for a new application.
Do you know of any State that has less requirements than the CA has today?

It doesn't matter, what state do you want to work and practice in and where your kids will go to early grade to high school?

That's where you should apply to as endorsing back into a concurrent enforcing state (such as CA), you will see always need to meet CA BRN educational conditions and requirements and that's true of any other state's regulations.

Just know that only a handful of PH applicants have gotten their ATT in CA since Nov. 2011 and this includes those graduating from 2005 to 2013. It is possible to get the ATT if you complete the deficiencies that the CA BRN says are so.

Yes, old files are discarded or destroyed after so many years. So you will be applying as a new first-time applicant and you can read of the frustrations and disappointment in doing so should you wish to proceed in CA.

Be prepared to submit a lot more paperwork, just read the other threads that covers the subjects very well.

Just know any and all fees submitted to the CA BRN or any of the other BON's are not going to be refunded once they open your application. I think 1-2 states will partial refund but you have to do so real early and in writing. Take your chances if you wish and hope for the best but prepare for the worst (declination letter that you need to re-take courses).