Taking nclex for 2 different states?

[lluvsd2]

i am currently a nursing student graduating in december. i was wondering about nclex exam. after i graduate, i am planning to take the board exam for california and for washington state. i am wondering if this is considered as "retaking" the exam or not. i am not sure where i am moving therefore i wanted to be sure by taking both the lisence for washington and for california. how far do i need to space the exam between the two or am i allowed to take one right after another omitting "retake" time since it is for 2 different boards.:angryfire

[suzanne4, RN]

Let me be the bearer of good news for you. :balloons:

There is only one exam that you need to take and it is called NCLEX-RN, a national exam. It is taken once and its results are accepted in every state in the US. State Boards, as they were known, no longer exist.

You only take the exam for one state by using the application called

"License by Examination" and for any other licenses that you want afterwards, you just use the application called "License by Endorsement."

As simple as that.............

[2bnurse_it]

so, does that mean that If I take the NCLEX in NEVADA, and I plan to move back and work in CALIFORNIA, i DON"T HAVE to take the NCLEX again?

i'm a little confused.

thanks.

[Paleobug]

Yes, you don't have to take it again. You just have apply for a license in that state.

[NJNursing, ASN, RN]

As the others have said, once you take and pass the NCLEX, all you have to do is file for reciprocity from whatever other state you want. No more tests. Just more paperwork.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

I think this is one of the biggest misconceptions about the NCLEX: that it's harder in one state or another, or that you have to keep re-testing for every state you move to. Can you imagine...??

One test, one license. Lots of endorsements for the traveler :)