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In most cases, no. If you passed the NCLEX-RN to become a registered nurse in Canada, you can use that result to apply for a U.S. nursing license. You don’t need to sit the exam again.
There are a few exceptions. Nurses licensed in Quebec, nurses who qualified before 2015, and practical nurses may still need to take an NCLEX exam. This guide explains who’s covered, who isn’t, and how to turn your Canadian NCLEX result into a U.S. license.
For the full picture on moving south, read Can Canadian Nurses Work in the U.S.?
Why Your Canadian NCLEX Result Counts in the U.S.
Since January 2015, every Canadian province and territory except Quebec has used the NCLEX-RN as its entry-to-practice exam for registered nurses. It’s the same exam U.S. nurses take, run by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Canada is the only country outside the U.S. that uses it to license nurses.
That’s why a U.S. Board of Nursing can accept your result. You’ve already met the exam standard every state requires.
What you can’t skip is the U.S. license itself. The NCLEX is an exam, not a license. You still need to apply to the Board of Nursing in the state where you’ll work, and each state sets its own rules. Your NCLEX pass is also one of the things TruMerit checks before it issues your VisaScreen certificate, which you need for the TN visa.
Who May Need to Take the NCLEX
Nurses licensed in Quebec. Quebec uses its own entry-to-practice exam, set by the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ), rather than the NCLEX-RN. If you qualified in Quebec, you’ll need to pass the NCLEX-RN through a U.S. state board before you can be licensed in the U.S.
Nurses who qualified before 2015. Before the NCLEX-RN arrived, Canadian nurses wrote the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE). Some states will still license you on that basis. Michigan, for example, accepts the CRNE for Canadian nurses who passed it before 2015. The catch is the TN visa. For VisaScreen, TruMerit asks Canadian nurses who passed the older exam to show they’ve also passed the NCLEX-RN or the TruMerit Nurse Qualifying Exam. So if you plan to work in the U.S. on a TN visa, expect to sit one of them.
Practical nurses. Ontario and British Columbia have used the REx-PN for practical nurses since 2022. Other provinces use the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination. U.S. state boards license practical nurses through the NCLEX-PN, so neither Canadian exam carries over. It’s also worth knowing that the TN visa covers registered nurses only.
How to Use Your NCLEX Result to Get a U.S. License
- Choose your state. Apply in the state where you’ll work. Requirements and processing times vary between boards, so check the rules before you start.
- Apply to that state’s Board of Nursing. As a nurse with an existing license, you’ll usually apply by endorsement. Some states call it reciprocity.
- Arrange your verifications. The board will want proof of your NCLEX pass and confirmation from your Canadian regulator that your license is in good standing. Some states also ask for a credentials evaluation from TruMerit, formerly CGFNS International.
- Complete your background check. Most states ask for fingerprints for a state and FBI criminal background check.
- Apply for VisaScreen at the same time. You’ll need it for the TN visa, so there’s no reason to wait.
Some boards ask for a U.S. Social Security number before they issue a license. You can apply for one once you’re in the U.S. with permission to work, and the board can tell you how it handles applicants who don’t have one yet. The whole process can take several months, so start as early as you can.
After Your License: The Next Steps
With a U.S. license, a VisaScreen certificate and a job offer, you can apply for TN status as a Canadian citizen. Our TN visa guide for registered nurses walks you through it, and Can Canadian Nurses Work in the U.S.? covers the move from TN to a green card.
You don’t have to work through it alone. Conexus has helped internationally educated nurses build careers in the U.S. since 2010. Our licensing and credentialing team knows how state boards work and what they’ll ask for, so you can spend less time on paperwork and more time planning your move.
Ready to put your NCLEX to work? Apply with Conexus, and we’ll talk you through your next steps.
NCLEX for Canadian Nurses: Your Questions Answered
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Yes. It’s the same NCLEX-RN, run by the NCSBN. The main difference is that Canadian candidates can choose to write it in English or French.
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The Nurse Licensure Compact lets nurses practice in all member states on one license. It’s issued by your primary state of residence. Nurses on a visa can declare either their home country or a compact state as their primary residence. If you declare Canada, you’ll get a single-state license instead.
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It depends on the state. Some boards move quickly, while others take several months. Applying early and having your verifications ready is the best way to avoid delays.
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Your result still counts. But VisaScreen includes an English language check, and the exemption depends on your nursing education being taught in English. If you studied in French, you may need to take an approved English test.
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Yes, as part of our sponsorship, we’ll support you through licensing to ensure you can work in the U.S. with the right credentials.
