Which states process license applications/ATTs quickly?

MMARN, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2008

Hi all!
I will be graduating May 14th. I have a commitment abroad in June and therefore eager to take the Nclex by June 20th. I live in NY and have been assured by the University that I will probably not get the ATT by that date. This is in part because the University takes a long time to send the information to the NY BON. I am willing to apply to other states in order to get the ATT sooner...ideally mid-June.
Does anyone have any secrets as to which states process their Nclex applications/ATTs quickly? I figure the sooner I get my ATT, the sooner I will be able to take the exam
Finding the information isn't easy. Taking the exam in New Jersey would be great but I haven't been able to make contact with anyone at the BON.
Any insight into which states I should consider is tremendously appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

In Florida, it varies. I just got my ATT on Friday, the 29th and I applied to the BON on Jan. 31st. So, it took almost an entire month for me to receive it. One of my friends got hers after only 20 days, and another one got hers after 3 weeks. So, I think it all depends on where you apply. Most ATT's, I believe, take around 3-4 weeks to arrive. Good luck!

suzanne4, RN · Mar 3, 2008

When you go thru another state, it takes longer to get approval to sit for the NCLEX exam. Boards are quicker to get things done with their own grads first. It is always faster for local students before those trained in other states. Not sure that you are aware that for any other state, your school needs to send in their paperwork as well, so if they are late getting it to the BON where you are, then they are going to take longer to get it to another state. No state will give approval without a completed set of transcripts in their hands for a nurse that did not train in their state. A few make exceptions in their own state for those that have their names on an approved list sent by the school. But for out of state, and that is what you would be, you are not going to get the ATT from anyplace without your transcripts being delivered and reviewed first.

There are none that I am aware of where you will get approval right away from a different state. Usually about six weeks at the earliest for other states. ATTs are also sent out by Pearson-Vue and they cannot release them without approval from the BON and payment made first. And again the transcripts are required for a state to release approval.

Just so that you are aware, there are testing centers all over the world that are open now, and you just pay an extra fee to test there. That is also an option for you. Or wait until you return home.

Best of luck on your journey.

nursinggrad2007 · Mar 3, 2008

I just graduated in December. I applied online for my ATT on December 10th. I graduated on December 13th. The day after graduation I sent my paperwork to SBON in Indiana and I had in hand my ATT before the end of December. I know of several people I graduated with who had applied prior to graduation with the SBON. They received, scheduled and took their NCLEX on January 2nd and January 3rd, less than one month after graduation.

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2008

I graduated in December and didnt bother sending my 50.00 to the state of Indiana till after Christmas---call it denial, but my excuse was I didnt want it to get lost in the Christmas card shuffle. To my amazement, I received my ATT 2 days after mailing in my check. I was able to log on to pearson vue and pick a test date 2 weeks later.

I am happy to say my test started at 8am and I was on the road back home at 0845 and had a license number by 8am the next day!!!!

Another lady I went to school with has her lic number less than 4 hours after hitting submit on Nclex. 4 hours!!!!

Yet anothers lic did not show up for 7 days. She was able to log on to Pearson Vue and see she passed with in 48 hours though, but she couldnt start getting nursing pay till she had a lic number.

I do know someone in my class took thier test in Lansing Mi because she could get a test date 2 days after getting her ATT. and she also had a lic with in 24 hours.

As far as I know, your allowed to test at any Pearson Vue location.

Best of luck!~!