When I take my NCLEX is that certification only good in the state in which I live?

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When I take my NCLEX exam is that certification only good for the state in which I live? What if I get a job in another state how to I become licensed in that state?

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Specializes in Dialysis.

It depends which state you live in I live in Virginia and we are a part of the contact state compact. Look it up on your State Board of Nursing website to be sure. If you are not in a compact state, you can work in any state in the US and its territories, you just have to pay to have a license in that state. You will not have to retake the NCLEX to have additional licenses. Hope this helps!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Let's assume you get your initial license in New York, but are interested in working in Florida. You must apply to the Florida Board of Nursing for a license by endorsement and pay the requested fees to start the process of obtaining a valid Florida nursing license.

A New York license is valid only in New York. A Florida license is valid only in Florida. You must be licensed in the state where you intend to work.

Some states are part of the Nursing Licensure Compact, and any nursing licenses issued by these state boards of nursing will be 'compact licenses.' However, people frequently misunderstand the concept of a compact nursing license.

Let's assume you obtain your initial license in Texas, which is a compact state. Many people think they can legally work in all of the compact states if they are licensed in just one compact state. However, a nursing license from a compact state is similar to a driver's license in that you can legally work in another state for a maximum of 30 days. Thereafter, you must obtain a license in the state where you intend to work.

Let's assume that you have a Texas compact license, but plan to move to Arizona, which is another compact state. You can legally work in Arizona under your Texas license for 30 days. After the 30 days has elapsed, you will definitely need an Arizona nursing license in order to continue working legally in Arizona.

A nursing license is similar to a driver's license. Once you have moved to Arizona, you can legally drive in Arizona under your Texas driver's license for 30 days, then you will need to obtain an Arizona driver's license in order to keep driving legally in your new home state. It is the exact same concept with a nursing license that is from a compact state.

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Some states are part of the Nursing Licensure Compact, and any nursing licenses issued by these state boards of nursing will be 'compact licenses.' However, people frequently misunderstand the concept of a compact nursing license.

Let's assume you obtain your initial license in Texas, which is a compact state. Many people think they can legally work in all of the compact states if they are licensed in just one compact state. However, a nursing license from a compact state is similar to a driver's license in that you can legally work in another state for a maximum of 30 days. Thereafter, you must obtain a license in the state where you intend to work.

Let's assume that you have a Texas compact license, but plan to move to Arizona, which is another compact state. You can legally work in Arizona under your Texas license for 30 days. After the 30 days has elapsed, you will definitely need an Arizona nursing license in order to continue working legally in Arizona.

A nursing license is similar to a driver's license. Once you have moved to Arizona, you can legally drive in Arizona under your Texas driver's license for 30 days, then you will need to obtain an Arizona driver's license in order to keep driving legally in your new home state. It is the exact same concept with a nursing license that is from a compact state.

Just to clarify a couple points -- it is not true that all licenses issued by compact states have "compact privileges" (will be recognized by other compact states for working purposes). If one applies for licensure in a compact state while living somewhere else (out of state), you will get a license, but it will just be a traditional, "regular" license that doesn't have compact privileges and is only good in that state. Also, if you move from a compact state to a non-compact state, your previous license automatically loses its compact privileges. I moved a couple years ago from a compact state to a non-compact state; I still have my previous license and am keeping it active (because I intend to return there some day), but it no longer has compact privileges (until I return to the state at some point in the future). You have to be a permanent resident of the state to get a license with compact privileges.

If you live in a compact state and have a license with compact privileges, you can use that license to work in other compact states for as long as you want, for the rest of your career if you like, as long as you maintain your permanent residence in your home state. The "thirty days" rule only applies to moving to another state, not working in another state. (I recently worked for four years in the compact state next to mine on my home state license).

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Just to clarify a couple points -- it is not true that all licenses issued by compact states have "compact privileges" (will be recognized by other compact states for working purposes). If one applies for licensure in a compact state while living somewhere else (out of state), you will get a license, but it will just be a traditional, "regular" license that doesn't have compact privileges and is only good in that state.
I'm already cognizant of this. One of my former classmates was licensed in Texas, which is a compact state. But because his permanent residence of record was in Oklahoma, his Texas nursing license was a 'regular' one without the compact privileges.

The point of my previous post was to simplify an explanation for an OP who seemingly knows next to nothing about nursing licensure issues.

If you live in a compact state and have a license with compact privileges, you can use that license to work in other compact states for as long as you want, for the rest of your career if you like, as long as you maintain your permanent residence in your home state. The "thirty days" rule only applies to moving to another state, not working in another state. (I recently worked for four years in the compact state next to mine on my home state license).
Yes, this is accurate. One of my current coworkers lives and works in Texas, but is licensed in another compact state and never intends to obtain nursing licensure in the state of Texas. She maintains permanent residence of record in Arizona (although she has not lived there in several years) due to property ownership, so she simply works in Texas using her Arizona compact license.
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Here is a list of the nurse licensure compact states: Nurse Licensure Compact - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Each state issues its own registered nurse (RN) license. Just because you got your license from one state doesn’t mean that you cannot immediately begin working in another state. All you need to do is learn about transferring RN license before you apply and seek employment as an RN in a different state. Most states will recognize your license and do not require any additional tests – these are considered as reciprocal states. Check your BON for more info. ;)

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