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Frequently Asked NCLEX Questions
PLEASE REMEMBER: THERE ARE 50 STATES, DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA AND 4 US TERRITORIES AND THEY ALL HAVE DIFFERENT LICENSING
REQUIREMENTS FOR NURSES.
FOR ANSWERS ABOUT YOUR PARTICULAR CASE PLEASE CONTACT YOUR STATE
BOARD OF
NURSING OR OUR OFFICE.
- I have a nursing diploma from my country, can I get a Registered Nurse (RN) license in the USA?
- Is the licensing test (NCLEX) easier or harder in different states?
- How many times can I take the NCLEX test?
- Where or how can I get the real NCLEX questions, and not just practice NCLEX questions?
- Do I have to apply for RN licensing in the same state where I live?
- If I sent my nursing application to another state, do I have to go to that state to take the test?
- Do I need to take the English language examination (TOEFL) to get my license?
- What is CGFNS?
- Do I have to, or need to take CGFNS examination?
- What other types of nursing licenses are there?
- I was told that I must (should) get an LPN license before applying for an RN license. Is it true?
- What is Licensure by Endorsement?
- If I want to endorse (exchange) my nurse license to another state, do I have to take the NCLEX test again?
- Can I work in any state after I get my RN license?
- How can I get the “Compact” license and how does it work?
- Where can I work when I get my RN license?
- Is the nursing license from one state (such as New York) better than the nursing license from another state?
I have a nursing diploma from my country, can I get a Registered Nurse (RN) license in the USA?
Yes. Every state has its own requirements for foreign-educated nurses, but in general if you have 2 or more years of regular nursing education, your diploma is accepted in the US and you are eligible for RN licensure.
Is the licensing test (NCLEX) easier or harder in different states?
No. NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) is a national test created by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and administered by the Pearson VUE. The level of difficulty of the test does not change from state to state or from one test location to another.
How many times can I take the NCLEX test?
Most states have no limit on the amount of times an applicant can take the NCLEX test. Some states, such as Florida, do have limits but you do not have to apply to those states to get your license; you can just endorse your license from another state. Please contact your State Board of Nursing or our office for detailed information.
Where or how can I get the real NCLEX questions, and not just practice NCLEX questions?
The short answer is you can't, and probably should not try. NCSBN keeps NCLEX test questions secret for good reason - to prevent fraud on NCLEX exam. It is even illegal to debrief nurses who just completed the NCLEX test about their NCLEX exam questions. So, do not fall victim to someone claiming to have "connections" or some suspicious website without contact information promising to sell you the "real" NCLEX questions. At best, you will get the NCLEX practice questions from one of the NCLEX review books you have not yet read, but for much higher price than at the bookstore. At worst, they will sell you a bad copy of the same NCLEX book or an illegal copy of the same NCLEX CD you already have.
Do I have to apply for RN licensing in the same state where I live?
No, you do not. Nurses in the majority of states may apply for RN licensure with any state in the US.
However, nurses who live in one of the compact member states, may apply to their home state or to any state that is not a member of the "Nurse Licensure Compact".
Read more about "Nurse Licensure Compact" and "compact member states"
If I sent my nursing application to another state, do I have to go to that state to take the test?
No. You may take the test at any test location that is convenient for you.
Do I need to take the English language examination (TOEFL) to get my license?
No you do not. However, there are states that require the English language examination for initial RN licensing and even for licensure by endorsement. Please contact your State Board of Nursing or our office for detailed information.
CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) is not a government agency. It is a Pennsylvania-based corporation. In most states it serves as "pre-screening" agent for foreign-educated nurses.
Do I have to, or need to take CGFNS examination?
No you do not. If you have passed the NCLEX examination, you do not have to take CGFNS test. CGFNS test is a so-called "predictor test". It does not give any special privileges to those who have taken it (whether they pass or fail), nor does it provide any certain indication that you will pass the NCLEX examination.
What other types of nursing licenses are there?
Generally speaking, there are three main types of nursing licenses in the US: Licensed Practical (Vocational) Nurse (LPN or LVN), Registered Nurse (RN) and Nurse Practitioner (NP). Differences among them are in the levels of education and the scope of duties and responsibilities. Although each state has its own licensing requirements, usually LPN's have the lowest educational requirements and the narrowest range of duties and responsibilities. The scope of practice and the level and content of education for an RN is wider than for an LPN. NP is a registered nurse who has completed advanced nursing education (generally a master's degree) and passed complex examinations in a particular specialty.
I was told that I must (should) get an LPN license before applying for an RN license. Is it true?
Not true. LPN is a completely separate license; it is not a “step” on the way to an RN license. Some states even have separate boards for RN's and LPN's. If you choose to become an LPN before applying for an RN license, you will have to: a) send 2 separate licensing applications; b) meet 2 separate licensing requirements; c) pass 2 separate licensing examinations, NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN. Also, while working very hard, an LPN will on average make only half as much money as a typical RN.
What is Licensure by Endorsement?
Licensure by endorsement is a procedure for obtaining a license
in another state for
Registered Nurses (RN) and Practical Nurses (LPN or LVN) who have
passed NCLEX test and are licensed in one of the states.
No. After you have passed the NCLEX test in any state you will never have to take it again.
Can I work in any state after I get my RN license?
In a majority of states (such as NY, NJ, CT, PA, CA etc.) RN license gives you the right to work only in the state that issued your license. Some states have entered into "Nurse Licensure Compact" which allows nurses licensed and residing in one compact member state to practice in other compact member states. NOTE: Even if you are licensed in one of the compact member states but you do not live in that state, you are not eligible for a "compact" license.
How can I get the “Compact” license and how does it work?
In order to have a "compact" license you must live in one of the compact member states. For example, if you have Maryland RN license and happen to live in Maryland, close to Virginia border, you may work in Virginia with your Maryland RN license. However, if you move to Virginia permanently, you must get Virginia RN license in order to work there. Another benefit of the "compact" is for traveling nurses who may get short term work assignments (usually up to 13 weeks) in any compact member states and they only need to have "compact" license from one of them.
The drawback of the Nurse Licensure Compact is for nursing applicants who live in one of the compact member states and do not have an RN license in any state: these nurses can only apply to their home state or to any state that is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, but can not apply to other compact member states for initial (first time) RN licensing.
Where can I work when I get my RN license?
RN license gives you the right to work at any healthcare facility. There are some advanced positions that may require additional training.
No. All licenses are equal. For example, New York State RN license gives you right to work in the State of New York only. Also, when applying for licensure by endorsement to another state, there are no special privileges for people with licenses from a particular state .
