Scheduled to take the NCLEX today but denied because of inappropriate identification???

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So I couldn't find my wallet with my driver's license in it this morning. So I panicked and grabbed my passport which is yes, government issued, has my picture, name but did not have my signature, unbeknownst to me. When I presented my ID to the NLCEX lady (program coordinator I think she is called) she said this is not signed and therefore not valid. She said I can go home and get another form of ID within 30 minutes. So I went back to my seat and promptly took a black pen and signed my passport, which is something that should have been done a long time ago but alas was not, since I have never had to use it before. So I represented the passport which again, had my name, picture, and now my signature which should therefore make it valid for all intents and purposes. But the lady then said to me, "oh no, because you signed without me witnessing it, I still can't accept it". Thinking that's odd but still going along with what she was saying and trying to appease her, I said "okay, I'll put a strike though my signature and resign it in your presence so you can see." She then said "no, if you do that then your passport will become invalid and you will have to get another one." I sit down for a minute and tried Googling if this was true and found out according to multiple resources that it was not and tried to explain this to her but she was not having it. This was all taking place 15-20 minutes before the scheduled examination time mind you. So I'm basically **** out of luck because in my opinion this lady had a stick up her ass and did not like me for some reason and denied my entrance even though I had proper identification. I lost $200 today and now have to pay another $200, wait for my authorization email again which could take months and then finally reschedule a new test date. I am just beyond livid at my situation that I found myself in today and do not know want to do. I spoke to Pearson, there support line and they gave me case number and will talk to this lady tomorrow to gather more information but it sounds like they will not be able to do anything and the Nclex lady has the ultimate say in who gets to take the test regardless of whether you have proper identification or not. I also spoke to someone from NCSB who seemed much more helpful and told me to write a detailed email to him about what happened which I did and that he would try to resolve this issue for me tomorrow. So my fingers are crossed but I just cannot believe at the events that unfolded. If the verdict in my case does not go in my favor I honestly am thinking about contacting a lawyer.

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A lawyer will probably cost more than the $200 NCLEX fee

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The money isn't the issue. It's the time that I have to wait when I could be potentially making money working as a nurse. No other comment other than the high cost of a lawyer?

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

You're out of line. You didn't bring proper ID. It's on you and you alone. She's following the rules to prevent fraud. Own it and learn from it.

Your first thought was to sue? Really?

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It sucks but the onus is on you to bring the correct ID to the NCLEX. I imagine she was just following the testing centres policies

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It sucks but the onus is on you to bring the correct ID to the NCLEX. I imagine she was just following the testing centres policies

Do you not get the fact that I had proper ID? A passport is an officially accepted form of identification. The only issue is that it wasn't signed when I was called up. I represented the proper form of identification with signature included on my passport within the allotted 30 minute time period I was given. Please show me a testing center policy that says a passport signature must be witnessed by the TA.

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You're out of line. You didn't bring proper ID. It's on you and you alone. She's following the rules to prevent fraud. Own it and learn from it.

Your first thought was to sue? Really?

I'm out of line but the Pearson Center employee who lied to my face saying a Passport is invalid if there is a strike-through on a signature and re-signed? Or who would not accept a valid form of identification with photo, name, and signature?

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So this is taken directly from the Pearson vue website:

All forms of identification must be valid and meet the following requirements. If the ID does not meet these requirements, you will be turned away and required to reregister and pay another examination fee:

government-issued

non-expired

name (in Roman characters)

recent photograph

signature

You were lacking a signature on your passport which invalidated it for the test. It would have been nice if she had accepted it once you signed it, but...

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Not to stir the pot for the OP, but isn't one purpose of an ID having a signature (already on it) is to be able to confirm the bearer's identity by having them duplicate the signature for comparison?

Sort of like merchants are in theory supposed to check your signature against the one on the back of your credit card to make sure they match? Of course they never check, but I think that's the intended purpose. If the bearer only signs it at the point of presentation it proves nothing.

I'm tending to think the employee was following procedure to prevent fraud and not trying to be a jerk.

I'd be frustrated over this, too, but the employee followed the posted requirements, which you had not. FWIW, I don't think you'd get anywhere with a lawsuit.

Maybe they'll have mercy on you, but live and learn.

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Specializes in Psychiatric and emergency nursing.

I'm also on the "your lawsuit has no merit" train. Sorry. It was up to you to bring a valid, signed form of identification. You did not do so, and so she turned you away, as was within her rights to do so to prevent fraud on the exam. If you want a true stick up a butt story, when I went to take my NCLEX, I brought my driver license, signed, within date, with picture. My lady wanted two forms of identification, even though the testing center policy was one, and she would not allow me in without both of them. She then would not accept my two hospital name badges (complete with picture and full name), my driver license, and a credit card with a matching name and my signature. I had to drive all the way back home to get my passport to present with my driver license. First time in my life I've ever been angry enough to kick a puppy.

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I'm also on the "your lawsuit has no merit" train. Sorry. It was up to you to bring a valid, signed form of identification. You did not do so, and so she turned you away, as was within her rights to do so to prevent fraud on the exam. If you want a true stick up a butt story, when I went to take my NCLEX, I brought my driver license, signed, within date, with picture. My lady wanted two forms of identification, even though the testing center policy was one, and she would not allow me in without both of them. She then would not accept my two hospital name badges (complete with picture and full name), my driver license, and a credit card with a matching name and my signature. I had to drive all the way back home to get my passport to present with my driver license. First time in my life I've ever been angry enough to kick a puppy.

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Well at least she gave you multiple attempts at procuring whatever valid ID she needed and even let you drive home. My lady only gave me once chance and I was turned away. If you accidentally give them a credit card or something as your primary ID this means that they can turn you away as it doesn't meet their acceptable identification criteria, even if you have a valid driver's license in your pocket ready to give them, they may turn you away for mistakenly giving them the wrong one first!

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And I wouldn't actually sue guys. It was just a heat in the moment comment without merit because I was angry and frustrated. I am calling NCSBN first thing tomorrow morning and making sure this lady followed protocol and if she didn't I'll file a formal complain. It's funny because when I asked her for her first name she wouldn't give it to me, like she knew she was doing something wrong and caught in the act. I just hope I don't to wait to get another ATT email. I just want to reschedule asap. Hopefully whoever I talk to NCSBN tomorrow is understanding of my situation and offers some kind of resolve.

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