State Board of Nursing Applications for International Nurses: Processing Times, Fees, and the Texas Strategy
You apply for NCLEX eligibility through a state Board of Nursing -- not NCSBN directly. Most internationally educated nurses apply in Texas first because it processes international applications in as little as 15 business days ($186 fee). After passing NCLEX, you can endorse your Texas license to any other state you plan to work in.
The Texas Strategy
The majority of internationally educated nurses apply to the Texas Board of Nursing first. This is not a loophole -- Texas BON explicitly processes international applicants and has built its workflow around them.
Why Texas is the default first choice:
- 1Speed: ~15 business days processing for international applications. No other major state comes close.
- 2Fee: $186 application fee -- lower than California ($300) and comparable to most other states.
- 3No Certification Program required: Texas requires only the CGFNS CES Professional Report ($485), not the CGFNS Certification Program ($495 extra). That saves money and months.
- 4Endorsement path: After passing NCLEX with a Texas license, you can transfer (endorse) to any state where you plan to work -- either through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) or individual state endorsement.
- 5NLC member: Texas is a compact state. If your permanent address will be in any of the 41 NLC states, a Texas license covers you to practice there without a separate endorsement.
Texas processes applications from nurses in countries including the Philippines, India, Nigeria, Kenya, Nepal, and many others. The Texas BON website lists the specific documentation requirements for each country.
State Comparison: Top 8 States by International Nurse Volume
| State | Processing Time | Application Fee | Certification Program Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | ~15 business days | $186 | No | Fastest; most popular first state for international nurses |
| Florida | 4-8 weeks | $145 | Verify | Not an NLC compact state; endorsement required to work elsewhere |
| Georgia | 4-8 weeks | $80 | Verify | Lower fee; active international applicant processing; NLC compact state |
| Illinois | 6-12 weeks | $150 | Verify | Not an NLC compact state |
| Nevada | 4-8 weeks | $110 | Verify | NLC compact state |
| Washington | 4-8 weeks | $110 | Verify | Not an NLC compact state; high cost of living but high nurse demand |
| California | 3-6 months | $300 | Yes | High demand; significant BON backlog; restricts temporary practice permits; not NLC |
| New York | 3-8 months | $143 | Verify | Slow processing; avoid if speed matters; not NLC |
Source: State BON websites, 2026. Processing times for international applicants are estimates; current times vary. Verify directly with your target state board before applying.
What the State Board Is Checking
You are applying for NCLEX eligibility -- not an RN license yet. The RN license is issued only after you pass NCLEX. During the eligibility review, the state board verifies:
Your CGFNS CES report (or accepted alternative) confirms your nursing degree is equivalent to a US BSN.
You meet the English language proficiency requirement for that state (if applicable).
Your nursing license in your home country is valid and in good standing at the time of application.
A criminal background check -- typically fingerprints submitted through IdentoGo.
All transcripts, training verification, and other documents are authenticated and in the correct format.
IELTS and English Language Requirements
Not all states require English proficiency testing. Requirements differ by state and by your country of nursing education.
Common exemptions
Many states exempt nurses educated in English-medium programs. Nurses from the Philippines, Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana typically qualify -- but you must provide verification from your school that instruction was in English.
When a score is required
When a test is required, states generally accept IELTS Academic at 6.5 overall, or TOEFL iBT at 79. Some states accept OET (Occupational English Test), which is designed specifically for healthcare workers.
California requires specific English-medium verification even for applicants from countries where English is the instruction language. Texas accepts English-medium education verification without an IELTS score for qualifying applicants. Check your specific state board -- requirements change.
Note: IELTS General Training is not the accepted version. If your state requires a score, submit IELTS Academic. Check with your BON before registering for the exam.
CGFNS CES vs. the Certification Program: Know the Difference
Applying to a state that requires the CGFNS Certification Program without completing it results in automatic rejection. Many nurses apply to New York or Maryland without realizing this, then wait months to discover the error.
$485
Required by all states. Evaluates your nursing education credentials against US BSN standards. Standard processing: 10-12 weeks. Expedited ($425 extra): ~4 weeks.
$495
A separate, more extensive CGFNS credentialing program required by New York, Maryland, and a handful of other states -- on top of the CES. Takes longer and costs more.
Texas, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, Washington, and most other states do not require the Certification Program. CGFNS maintains the current state-by-state requirements list at cgfns.org. Verify before you apply.
Source: CGFNS International, 2026.
Apply to the State Board Before CGFNS Is Done
You do not have to wait for CGFNS to finish before submitting your state board application. Most state boards accept your application while CGFNS is still processing -- the board simply holds the file open and waits for CGFNS to send the CES report directly.
Submitting both at the same time can cut 6-8 weeks off your total timeline. Start the state board application on the same day you order your CGFNS CES report.
After You Pass NCLEX: Endorsement and the NLC
Passing NCLEX in Texas gives you a permanent Texas RN license. To work in a different state, you have two paths:
Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)
41 states are NLC compact members. A license in one compact state is valid for practice in all other compact states -- no separate endorsement needed. Texas is a compact state.
If your permanent home address will be in a compact state, your Texas license covers you to work in all 41 compact states.
Individual State Endorsement
Non-compact states (California, New York, New Jersey, Florida, and others) require a separate endorsement application and fee for each state where you want to practice.
Endorsement is generally faster than initial licensure because NCLEX verification transfers automatically through NURSYS.
Full NLC compact state list: ncsbn.org/compact
Related Steps
Frequently Asked Questions
Which state is easiest for international nurses to get licensed?
Texas is the most commonly chosen first state. It processes international applications in approximately 15 business days, charges $186, and does not require the CGFNS Certification Program. After passing NCLEX in Texas, you can endorse to any other state.
Can I apply to a state board while waiting for CGFNS?
Yes. Most state boards -- including Texas -- accept your application while CGFNS is processing. The board holds your file open and waits for CGFNS to send the CES report directly. Submitting both on the same day is the standard approach and saves 6-8 weeks off your total timeline.
Do I need IELTS to apply to the Texas Board of Nursing?
Texas accepts verification of English-medium nursing education in lieu of an IELTS score. Most Filipino nurses are exempt because nursing programs in the Philippines are taught in English. Nurses from other countries should verify with the Texas BON directly, as requirements are updated periodically.
What is the difference between the CGFNS CES and the Certification Program?
The CES ($485) is the credential evaluation report required by all states. It confirms your nursing degree is equivalent to a US BSN. The CGFNS Certification Program ($495, paid separately) is a more extensive credentialing program required by New York, Maryland, and a few other states on top of the CES. Texas, Florida, Georgia, and most states do not require it. Verify your target state's requirements at cgfns.org before applying.
What happens to my Texas license if I want to work in California?
California is not an NLC compact state. You will need to apply for endorsement to the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) separately. Expect 3-6 months for California endorsement processing. Many nurses start the California endorsement process while already working in Texas or another compact state on their Texas license.
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Last updated: June 2026 · Source: Texas BON, NCSBN, CGFNS International, state BON websites.