United States
Hong KongTranscripts and state agencies
Your result sits in the NASCLA National Examination Database. Each state board receives it only when you request a transcript, which costs USD 45 per state.
A small administrative step that candidates assume happens automatically. It does not.
Where the result lives
In the NASCLA National Examination Database, which holds it indefinitely and independently of any state.
That is what makes the program work. The result is held centrally and distributed on request rather than belonging to whichever state you sat in.
Requesting a transcript
You request one for each state licensing agency you are applying to. Each costs USD 45.
Applying in three states means three transcripts and three fees. That is the ongoing cost of the portability the program gives you, and it is modest against three separate examinations.
Not your state board, not a prospective employer, not a licensing consultant. The result is yours to distribute, which is a feature rather than an oversight - it means a failed attempt is not broadcast either.
Timing
Request early. A state board cannot begin assessing an application against a trade exam requirement it has no evidence of, and a transcript in transit is a stalled application.
Adding a state later
Request another transcript whenever you decide to license somewhere new. There is no time limit that forces you to decide now, and the result does not expire out of the database.
That is the practical value of the program for a contractor whose work expands over years rather than all at once.
Common questions
How does a state get my NASCLA result?
You request a transcript from the NASCLA National Examination Database, at USD 45 per state.
Is my state notified automatically?
No. Nobody is notified by your passing. The result is yours to distribute.
What if I want to license in another state later?
Request another transcript. There is no deadline forcing the decision now.
How much does each transcript cost?
USD 45.
When should I request one?
As soon as you pass, since the board cannot progress an application without it.