Taking NCLEX in one state, then applying for licensure in another?

dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I · Nov 7, 2011

You get your first license in the state you take your boards. After that, assuming you passed, it depends on the the states and where you reside. All 50 states use the NCLEX. About half the states have joined the interstate compact.

Repost with the names of the states to get more specific answers, or contact the BON in those states yourself.

austin14 · Nov 7, 2011

I was told it doesn't matter what state you take the NCLEX in. I know people who took a trip to another state to take the NCLEX, but were not moving to that state. Hope this helps some.

umcRN, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2011

you can apply for license in another state and have your boards apply for that state. My advisors helped me out with it but I took my test in MA but got a license for DC. Unfortunately I can't remember exactly what I did to make that work so I'm probably little help to you

MomRN0913 · Nov 7, 2011

You get your first license in the state you take your boards. After that, assuming you passed, it depends on the the states and where you reside. All 50 states use the NCLEX. About half the states have joined the interstate compact.
Repost with the names of the states to get more specific answers, or contact the BON in those states yourself.

No you don't. I took mine in NY and got my license in NJ. They are national boards, not state boards, it doesn't matter.

Jenni811, RN · Nov 7, 2011

It doesn't matter where you take you're boards. the test is the same EVERYWHERE you go. Because it's not like nursing is any different in Florida than it is in New York. No matter where you go, you will get the NCLEX. Which is why they don't call it Florida-NCLEX or Georgia-NCLEX.

i took my NCLEX in Wisconsin and got my Minnesota license. It didn't make my application process any different. NCLEX just needs to know where to send your results.

dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I · Nov 7, 2011

Oooooh, you mean the new fandangled computerized test! Sorry, I took my test on things called "booklets" and instead of a mouse we had "#2 pencils." Geesh! If you're good kiddies, someday I'll tell you about the old days when I tuck you in to bed. If you're especially good, I'll show you the predecessor to calculators, called a "slide rule," it followed the abacus by a few generations. Things have sure changed since we baby-boomers became geezer-boomers!

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Nov 7, 2011

You get your first license in the state you take your boards.

Not necessarily. I took my NCLEX in Ohio but opted out of an Ohio license and got licensed in Texas instead because I knew I was moving there.

The NCLEX is the same everywhere you go - one state isn't "harder" than the other like some people think. You just have to fulfill all of the requirements that state requires (usually application + fee, fingerprints + background check, stuff from the school) and when you pass your NCLEX you will get your license.

Getting my initial license wasn't a pain at all. I don't know about endorsing your license to other states, though. if I did that, I would have gotten an Ohio license first and then endorsed my license to Texas - so I would have licenses in both states. Personally, I didn't want to pay extra money for a license I knew I wouldn't use, which is why I only chose to get licensed in Texas for now.

Reno1978, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2011

You get your first license in the state you take your boards.

False.

When you register for the NCLEX-RN, you select the testing center that you want to take the test at, and which board of nursing you'd like your results to be reported to. I took my NCLEX-RN in San Francisco, CA and had my results sent to Nevada's Board of Nursing for my initial licensure.

It's up to you to apply through whichever board of nursing/licensing agency for whichever state you'd like your initial license in.

So many people are under the impression that you must get your license in the state you were educated in or the state that you test in, and this is simply not true.

Reno1978, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2011

Oooooh, you mean the new fandangled computerized test! Sorry, I took my test on things called "booklets" and instead of a mouse we had "#2 pencils." Geesh! If you're good kiddies, someday I'll tell you about the old days when I tuck you in to bed. If you're especially good, I'll show you the predecessor to calculators, called a "slide rule," it followed the abacus by a few generations. Things have sure changed since we baby-boomers became geezer-boomers!

LOL - when I saw you had 25 years experience as an RN, I thought "Back in my day, we took NCLEX with a pen & Paper, and it was a 2 day long exam. We had to wait 6 months for results, and we had to walk to the testing center backwards uphill in the snow..." *HUGS*

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2011

Oooooh, you mean the new fandangled computerized test! Sorry, I took my test on things called "booklets" and instead of a mouse we had "#2 pencils." Geesh! If you're good kiddies, someday I'll tell you about the old days when I tuck you in to bed. If you're especially good, I'll show you the predecessor to calculators, called a "slide rule," it followed the abacus by a few generations. Things have sure changed since we baby-boomers became geezer-boomers!

:hhmth:*wine.......I'm with ya brother. :smokin:

Wave Watcher · Nov 7, 2011

Like most have said....NCLEX is good anywhere in the US.

I have my RN license in TN (compact state), FL, and US Virgin Islands.

All you have to do is fill out paper work and be prepared to pay! Also, make sure you know what each state requires as far as keeping up with CEU's if any.

Good luck.