What is the easiest state to apply for?

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Hello everyone! ;) I'm just new to this site, I have a few questions and i'm hoping someone can help me answer them!

I am a registered nurse in the Philippines, I just passed my boards last year. I'm a dual citizen so i'm living here in Canada with my family.

I applied for New York state through CGFNS, because I'm trying to work in the States. I started my application mid-September, and until now it still hasn't been completed. CGFNS is taking forever! (anyone else have problems with CGFNS? their service in my opinion is horrible! they don't release information about the status of your application because you aren't to "interfere". how unfair when you're paying $300+ for their services .. )

During my Kaplan class, I overheard some people saying it's easier to apply to other states such as California, Michigan, etc because the process is so much faster. They also said applying to NY state was a mistake because they still do criminal screening, the license takes 6 months to obtain, etc.. it's like my worst nightmare! :'

Anyone know if this is true? I was trying to apply for a state that didn't require CGFNS because I didn't want to waste any time taking the test. I grew up in Canada and just went to university in the philippines- I didn't see a point in having to take my IELTS and all that when my English is fine.

What states don't require CGFNS and is a fast process?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated, thanks fellow nurses!

:redbeathe Nurse GJ.

Yes, I agree it's another way to make money. I actually see that as pointless, I would consider that a pre-test. Kind of like a pre-smog when you go to smog your car in order to renew your registration.

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Is Vermont an easy state to apply to and renew one's license? I plan to work in California. I know it's not recommended to apply directly to California, so I'm looking for a state I can apply to. I saw on Vermont BON's website that they require a Vermont-specific CES. Would I have an easier time processing my VisaScreen in the future if I get a Vermont-specific CES, since they're both from CGFNS?

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No state really is easy to apply to as you have to meet their educational requirements. Even if you go through Vermont first and then plan to endorse to California you still need to meet Californias requirement for nursing. If you plan on working in California you'd better save yourself some time, effort, and money and just apply to California. If you don't have a ss# then California isn't the place to apply to. Having a Vermont license is useless unless you plan on working there. Yes, they don't require a ss# but there's no point in having a license if you can't work due to no ss#, and not being in the US.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Is Vermont an easy state to apply to and renew one's license? I plan to work in California. I know it's not recommended to apply directly to California, so I'm looking for a state I can apply to. I saw on Vermont BON's website that they require a Vermont-specific CES. Would I have an easier time processing my VisaScreen in the future if I get a Vermont-specific CES, since they're both from CGFNS?

Yes getting VSC will be easier if you have CES as CGFNS will use the same documentation

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
No state really is easy to apply to as you have to meet their educational requirements. Even if you go through Vermont first and then plan to endorse to California you still need to meet Californias requirement for nursing. If you plan on working in California you'd better save yourself some time, effort, and money and just apply to California. If you don't have a ss# then California isn't the place to apply to. Having a Vermont license is useless unless you plan on working there. Yes, they don't require a ss# but there's no point in having a license if you can't work due to no ss#, and not being in the US.

Because many employers would prefer to see a pass in NCLEX it is a bit expensive going to another state for license but if CA is preferred state they may have saved enough to pay for the process with CA at a later date but at least they will have gotten in the queue which at least going to another state will do. Maybe CA will extend their file if they went to CA initially but not always a guarantee and they would have to look at another state before the 3 years are up.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
Is Vermont an easy state to apply to and renew one's license? I plan to work in California. I know it's not recommended to apply directly to California, so I'm looking for a state I can apply to. I saw on Vermont BON's website that they require a Vermont-specific CES. Would I have an easier time processing my VisaScreen in the future if I get a Vermont-specific CES, since they're both from CGFNS?

That would be a wise move unless things change in CA. As it stands, your only obstacle in getting a license in CA is that you do not have an SSN. CA, at the time of this writing, does not require CES or an English test for foreign nursing school grads so if the same rules apply when you get an SSN and ready to endorse to CA, you shouldn't have any more hurdles aside from the CA's track record of slow processing of licenses.

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CA is really my first choice, but I don't have an SSN.

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Specializes in Aged Care.
CA is really my first choice, but I don't have an SSN.

Me too buddhaboy, I really want to work in California so that's where I applied. So now I'm done with NCLEX and IELTS so at the moment I am just saving money for me to apply for the Visa Screen. Of course I have to obtain the Visa Screen before my IELTS expires. But just got my pass letter from California early this year (I took the exam last December) so I am hoping that in three years time something will change, may it be the rules of California regarding issuance of license (no more SSN perhaps?) or the retrogression being lifted? Then after a couple of years (from now) if I see the need to "endorse" to other states like VT for example then that's the only time that I plan to do so.

Which brings me to this question: Is it all right for me to obtain a Visa Screen now (using my IELTS and NCLEX pass in California) and then endorse to another state after some time (after getting my VS)? Isn't immigration gonna question why I did this? By the way, I'm not planning on anything illegal or bypassing any step, just for the sake of my IELTS. I don't wanna take it anymore. I took the IELTS middle of last year for another purpose. Thanks!

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Which brings me to this question: Is it all right for me to obtain a Visa Screen now (using my IELTS and NCLEX pass in California) and then endorse to another state after some time (after getting my VS)? Isn't immigration gonna question why I did this? By the way, I'm not planning on anything illegal or bypassing any step, just for the sake of my IELTS. I don't wanna take it anymore. I took the IELTS middle of last year for another purpose. Thanks!

It's alright to obtain your Visa Screen now. Immigration would not question is you endorse your license to another state. It's legal. I have NY license and visa screen. Then I endorsed my license to another state after a year. Keep in mind than Visa Screen has expiration. I believe it's valid for 3 or 5 years only (im not sure)

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

VSC is valid for 5 years and then needs renewing if the plan is still the USA, also be aware if IELTS has expired (usually only valid for 2 years) you will need to resit IELTS again before a VSC is issued again

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If all you did was pass the NCLEX then you're not endorsing since you don't have a license to endorse. All you're doing is forwarding your pass results to another state to keep the file active.

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Specializes in Aged Care.

@jpsnpdro: Oh okay, thanks! That cleared things up for me. Good luck and God bless on your application!

@silverdragon: Thanks for the reminder :). But really? If my Visa Screen expires, then I have to resit the IELTS again? I thought that once you submit your IELTS for the purpose of obtaining your VS then it's alright if it expires, as long as you keep your VS valid. Hmmm...

@nursecubanita: yep, i know. Sorry. I should have said endorse my NCLEX result. thanks! :)

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