Yes, you can physically travel to the United States without taking the NCLEX, but you cannot legally work as a Registered Nurse (RN) in any U.S. state without first passing it. The NCLEX RN (or NCLEX PN for Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses) is the mandatory national licensing examination required by all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.

If you are an internationally educated nurse seeking to work in the U.S., passing the NCLEX is a non-negotiable step in a longer process that typically includes:

Credential Evaluation: Having your foreign nursing education and license reviewed by an approved agency like CGFNS International or the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.
English Proficiency: Demonstrating English language competency through tests like the TOEFL or IELTS, if applicable.
State Board Application: Applying for licensure to the Board of Nursing in the state where you wish to work and meeting its specific requirements.
Authorization to Test (ATT): Receiving approval from your chosen state board to schedule and take the NCLEX.
Passing the NCLEX: Successfully passing the exam to receive your U.S. RN license.

You may travel to the U.S. as a tourist, student, or under other visa categories without the NCLEX, but the license is the legal requirement to practice nursing. Some nurses come on work visas sponsored by future employers, but these are contingent on eventually passing the NCLEX.

For information on the tests required to enter nursing school in the U.S., you can read about nursing entrance exams.

For the definitive, official requirements for internationally educated nurses, visit the website of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).