Ask A Nurse: In Which States Can I Endorse My Nursing License From Puerto Rico

Yes, you can transfer your nursing license from Puerto Rico to the mainland. How much extra work it takes depends on where you want to go.

Endorsement means moving your license from one jurisdiction to another. If you have already met the major licensure requirements (fingerprinting, an eligible nursing program, and a passing NCLEX score), you usually do not repeat them. You fill out an application and make sure your records transfer correctly.

The catch with Puerto Rico is the NCLEX. The territory does not require it for practice, but every nurse who wants to work as an RN in the United States, Puerto Rico included, has to pass it.

Florida is the one exception. A 2002 law lets nurses from U.S. territories apply for full endorsement without the NCLEX, as long as they have at least two years of recent work experience and no disciplinary action against their license. Without that experience, you take the NCLEX or build the experience first.

Start by researching the state you want to practice in. Contact its Board of Nursing for requirements and get an Authorization to Test (ATT) for the NCLEX. Give yourself plenty of time to study.

The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) is another resource worth knowing. Even though Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, some states require the CGFNS Credentials Evaluation Service as part of the application. The CGFNS exam can usually be waived for nurses coming from Puerto Rico, but verify every requirement yourself before you apply.

Bottom line: endorsing your license takes advance planning and likely some NCLEX study. Start with the requirements of the state you are targeting. If you are not set on one, Florida's flexible endorsement is a strong option, provided you have the work experience.