In this article, I’ll go over some of the things you need to know about whether or not your NCLEX exam expires after taking it.
Like everything in life, there’s a standard answer and exceptions to that answer.
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Does Your NCLEX Expire?
As long as you’re a practicing nurse, your NCLEX does not expire. In other words, you do not have to retake it. If you haven’t practiced for an extended period, you may be required to retake the NCLEX or take remedial classes to have your license reinstated.
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Practicing Nurses Don’t Need to Worry
Rest assured that your NCLEX score will not expire if you’re a practicing nurse that’s meeting all of your requirements for active licensure.
You might be wondering what I mean by requirements.
Some states set requirements for how many hours nurses must work a year for active licensure.
On top of that, some states also set continuing education requirements (CEUs) that nurses must accomplish to be in good standing.
What About Moving to Another State?
Generally, if you’re moving to another state, you do not need to retake the NCLEX if you’re already in good standing in your current state.
You would typically need to apply for licensure by endorsement to get a license in a new state based on your licensure in another state.
Every State is Different
To make a very long story short, every state is different.
To know how your state will handle a particular situation, you’ll need to contact that state’s board of nursing for clarification.
NCLEX Prep Academy
Check out the comprehensive NCLEX prep review that I recommend. Don’t bother with other NCLEX preps that over promise and under deliver. Did I mention they have a 99.86% NCLEX pass rate?
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- Does ATI Prepare You For the NCLEX?
- Can You Fail the NCLEX in 145 Questions?
Can I retake NCLEX again? I have paSSED NCLEX in 2008. I just want to take it since I don’t have a current experience as a nurse. Can I retake it again?
Hey Cha,
Can you still get licensed by your state board of nursing? If you can still get licensed why would you want to take it again? If it’s about getting a course refresher since you haven’t worked as a nurse, there’s courses you can do that in my opinion would do a better job at preparing you for real practice than studying for and taking the NCLEX.
As for whether or not you can retake the NCLEX after passing it, that I don’t know.
Hi colleagues. I passed the NCLEX RN last 2009. I applied via California BON but since i have no SSN, i wasnt able to finish the last step in order to be licensed. Since then i have been a nurse in Australia. I was wondering, do i have to retake the NCLEX? I hope to apply this time at NY nursing.
Thank you for your help.