When can nurse grads take the NCLEX? Process for licsensure?

Scrubmouse RN · Jul 9, 2011

The NCLEX is taken after you graduate nursing school. The State has to get paperwork from your school that says that you graduated from nursing school. In addition the State needs your fingerprints for a background check. When all is clear you get the ATT (Authorization to Test) and then you can register for the NCLEX. How long depends on how fast you and your school get the necessary paperwork done. After the NCLEX, assuming you pass, you pay a fee to the BON and get your license within 4 weeks. This is in IL. Other states give you a license almost immediately after passing the Exam.

ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN · Jul 9, 2011

I sent in my application the day I graduated. My school did not send in the degree conferral until about two weeks after I applied. Once ALL of the paperwork is at the BON, they will send you the ATT to take NCLEX. How long it will take until your license number is issued will vary. Some states are quick (24 to 48 hours) while others take longer (up to 4 weeks).

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2011

In order to sit for the NCLEX you need to apply to the Board of Nursing (BON) in the state where you want to practice. Each state varies slightly, but in general you need to provide:

1. The actual application, signed and notarized by a state notary

2. A letter of completion from your nursing school stating that you have met the requirements of the program

3. In some states, you must provide official transcripts for all your courses.

4. The application fee (varies from about $50 to $200 depending on your state)

So you can only take the NCLEX after you have graduated. You also need to register with a company called Pearson VUE that administers the test. This is a seperate $200 fee no matter what state you live in. After the BON approves your application, they will send Pearson VUE an Authorization to Test (ATT). Pearson VUE will email you this number and you need it to schedule your exam. Then you take the exam and your results are submitted to the BON where you applied. The BON then issues you a license number and a paper license.

The length of this process also varies greatly depending on your state. You can schedule your exam right away, or wait as much time as you would like. If you choose to take it as soon as possible, it depends on what dates are available at your testing center. It might be the next day, it might be two or three weeks away. After you take the test, the results are sent to the BON electronically so it is received by the BON almost immediately. Unofficial "quick results" are available to the test taker through Pearson VUE 48 hours after the test. Again, depending on your state, it can take one day to get a license number, or it can take a month.

I think I've ben exposed to the extremes: In Maine, where I grew up, it take about a week from the time you apply until you get an ATT. Once you take the exam, it's about another week until you get a license number.

In NJ, where I live now, it took my over 8 weeks from the time I applied to even get an ATT. It's been two weeks since I passed boards, and I'm still waiting on a license number. BON says it could be another two weeks.

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · Jul 9, 2011

This is just a question from someone about to start the program this Fall, I was wondering when is the earliest time to take the NCLEX? I wanted to know for HRSA purposes... they only allow applicants with a current nursing liscence to apply for the loan forgiveness program. My other question is how long does it take for NCLEX to provide the pass/fail grade and what is the process to actually recieving your liscence? Any help and info would be apprieciated.

Depends on your state and your school. I live in MN and it went pretty smooth.

You can take the NCLEX as soon as your school releases your graduation information to the state BON. My school did this right away.

(I know at least one school - St. Kate's - that was NOT releasing anyone's status to the state until they took the Kaplan course and proved they completed the remediation. I would have been dragged out of there in a straightjacket if they tried that with me.)

I took the NCLEX 3 weeks after graduation found out I passed 24 hours after taking the test on the BON website and my license was active in 48 hours. I got my hardcopy a few days later.

Anyway, I would think that you would be able to have your license within a few weeks after graduation no matter where you live.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Jul 12, 2011

I graduated on a Tuesday, Picked up my official transcripts on Thursday. Applied to the state with the state app and transcripts. (didn't have to fingerprint or notary or any of that) I got my ATT on Friday and I scheduled my NCLEX that Monday. I had to drive to a different state to take it because the soonest they had locally was 3.5 weeks. So took NCLEX on Monday and had my official license online Tuesday. So from the day I graduated to getting my Lic. was 1 week.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Jul 12, 2011

Depends on your state and your school. I live in MN and it went pretty smooth.
You can take the NCLEX as soon as your school releases your graduation information to the state BON. My school did this right away.
(I know at least one school - St. Kate's - that was NOT releasing anyone's status to the state until they took the Kaplan course and proved they completed the remediation. I would have been dragged out of there in a straightjacket if they tried that with me.)
I took the NCLEX 3 weeks after graduation found out I passed 24 hours after taking the test on the BON website and my license was active in 48 hours. I got my hardcopy a few days later.
Anyway, I would think that you would be able to have your license within a few weeks after graduation no matter where you live.

I have met many people that it takes weeks, like 4-6 to even get the ATT and that doesn't account for when they can schedule the exam.

I was the first one to take it as a new grad in my area. Like current semester. I had my lic online next day. None of my classmates took it for 3 more weeks. They didn't feel comfortable taking it as soon as I did. By the time they took it the other schools were taking it too. Most it took a weeks for their lic to show up online after passing because there were a lot more applicants to process by that time then when I took it.

layleebug · Aug 6, 2011

Thanks so much everyone for the replies, I'm sure they would have explained the process to us during nursing school but I wanted to get a good idea of when I can actually start submitting certain job apps and loan repayment programs (i know 2 years in advanced and i'm already planning :uhoh3: ) and a lot of them depended on when I receive a license number or when I pass the exam.. so I'm assuming at least a week up to 4 weeks after graduation I should look forward to begin to settle down.. thanks so much for the feedback