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Nurse Licensure Guide 2023
Find Your Nursing Licensure Guide

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California
,
CA
eNLC:
No
Walk-Through:
No
Temp License:
Yes
Nursys:
No
BON website
P:
(916) 322-3350

Fees

Endorsement Application: $350.00

Temporary License: $100.00

Fingerprint Card (If Out-of-State): $49.00

Timing

Temporary License

Alabama Board of Nursing does not provide a definitive timeline. Timing is dependent upon your willingness to be proactive as items are processed on a first come, first serve basis. Processing takes 24-48 hours upon receipt of all required documentation. The temporary license is valid for 120 days and is nonrenewable.

License Renewal

  • Renewal cadence: Your first California Registered Nurse license is issued for two birthdays, not two years, and will expire the last day of the month following your birth date. From that date on, it will expire every two years, if renewed timely.
  • Renewal fee: $190.00
  • Required contact hours: 30. No contact hours are required for your first renewal.
  • Renewal of your license is done online through BreEZe
  • You may work while your license renewal is pending, provided that the renewal fee has been submitted on time and all renewal requirements have been met. 

Important Things to Know

  • Active duty military spouses or partners receive expedited review.
  • At the end of the application process, you will have the opportunity to attach documents to the application. Please attach as much information as possible to reduce paperwork, speed the review process, and reduce the need for deficiency letters.
  • See Important Notice Regarding Your Application for additional information for applicants with criminal convictions or discipline.

Licensure by Endorsement

Process

Permanent License

1. Submit an application online and pay the fee. You may also mail in the completed application packet, however the Board indicates the process is significantly faster if you opt for the online route.

2. Provide a background check with fingerprints. Instructions for fingerprinting can be found here.

  1. For residents in California: If using a LiveScan method, you must use a Live Scan site located in California. The Board will not be able to receive results for fingerprints taken at Live Scan locations that are outside of California.

    1. At the Live Scan site they will scan your fingerprints electronically and transmit them immediately for processing.

    2. Before requesting a copy of the Live Scan fingerprint form, you must first submit your application for RN licensure.

    3. Most local law enforcement agencies in California have Live Scan equipment. Hours of operation and fees vary, so please contact the Live Scan site directly for information.
  2. For residents outside of California or CA residents who are are unable to access Live Scan, you may use the manual fingerprint (hard card) method.

    1. You will need to use FD-258 for fingerprinting. Please check the facility at which you will be fingerprinted to determine whether they will provide an FD-258 card or require you to bring your own.

    2. You may also obtain an FD-258 card at your local law enforcement agency, such as a police station or sheriff’s office. You may also request one from the Board by using our Fingerprint Request Form.
  3. Request verification of licensure via Nursys from your original state of licensure and the state where you are currently employed. If these states do not participate in Nursys, you will need to contact that state's BON and request verification be sent to the California BON.
  4. Submit transcripts.

    1. For graduating California students: California Board-approved nursing programs will submit your transcripts to the Board electronically upon completion of your program.

    2. For out of state nursing programs: If you attended a nursing program in another State, you may have your transcripts sent to our Board electronically from a certified third-party electronic transcripts vendor such as Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, or directly from your school. Electronic transcripts must be sent to brn.etranscripts@dca.ca.gov.

    3. International nursing programs: If you attended a nursing program in another country, you must have your official transcripts sent to the Board by mail.

Temporary License

  1. If you wish to be issued a provisional license, please indicate this on your application. 
  2. Temporary permits are valid for 6 months. 

‍

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, state-by-state licensure changes have been a daily occurrence. For up-to-date information regarding licensing regulations, please see this page.
Nurse Licensure Guide

How to get your license in

California

Licensure By Endorsement

California

-

CA

eNLC:
No
(visit)
Temp License:
Yes
BON:
Website
Walkthrough:
No
Nursys:
No
P:
(916) 322-3350
California
The ProcessRenewal LicenseCalifornia License Verification - Endorsement by Another StateTimingFeesImportant things to know

The Process

Permanent License

1. Submit an application online and pay the fee. You may also mail in the completed application packet, however the Board indicates the process is significantly faster if you opt for the online route.

2. Provide a background check with fingerprints. Instructions for fingerprinting can be found here.

  1. For residents in California: If using a LiveScan method, you must use a Live Scan site located in California. The Board will not be able to receive results for fingerprints taken at Live Scan locations that are outside of California.

    1. At the Live Scan site they will scan your fingerprints electronically and transmit them immediately for processing.

    2. Before requesting a copy of the Live Scan fingerprint form, you must first submit your application for RN licensure.

    3. Most local law enforcement agencies in California have Live Scan equipment. Hours of operation and fees vary, so please contact the Live Scan site directly for information.
  2. For residents outside of California or CA residents who are are unable to access Live Scan, you may use the manual fingerprint (hard card) method.

    1. You will need to use FD-258 for fingerprinting. Please check the facility at which you will be fingerprinted to determine whether they will provide an FD-258 card or require you to bring your own.

    2. You may also obtain an FD-258 card at your local law enforcement agency, such as a police station or sheriff’s office. You may also request one from the Board by using our Fingerprint Request Form.
  3. Request verification of licensure via Nursys from your original state of licensure and the state where you are currently employed. If these states do not participate in Nursys, you will need to contact that state's BON and request verification be sent to the California BON.
  4. Submit transcripts.

    1. For graduating California students: California Board-approved nursing programs will submit your transcripts to the Board electronically upon completion of your program.

    2. For out of state nursing programs: If you attended a nursing program in another State, you may have your transcripts sent to our Board electronically from a certified third-party electronic transcripts vendor such as Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, or directly from your school. Electronic transcripts must be sent to brn.etranscripts@dca.ca.gov.

    3. International nursing programs: If you attended a nursing program in another country, you must have your official transcripts sent to the Board by mail.

Temporary License

  1. If you wish to be issued a provisional license, please indicate this on your application. 
  2. Temporary permits are valid for 6 months. 

‍

Renewal License

  • Renewal cadence: Your first California Registered Nurse license is issued for two birthdays, not two years, and will expire the last day of the month following your birth date. From that date on, it will expire every two years, if renewed timely.
  • Renewal fee: $190.00
  • Required contact hours: 30. No contact hours are required for your first renewal.
  • Renewal of your license is done online through BreEZe
  • You may work while your license renewal is pending, provided that the renewal fee has been submitted on time and all renewal requirements have been met. 

California License Verification - Endorsement by Another State

California does not participate in Nursys and if you need to verify your CA RN license, please follow the following steps.

Process

1. Fill out the license verification form provided by the state in which you are seeking licensure. If there is no form, write and sign a letter of request on a blank piece of paper. Be sure either form you use indicates your CA RN license number, your current name, the name you used when you became licensed in CA and your birth date.

2. Mail both the verification form and a check or money order of $100.00 to:

  • Board of Registered Nursing PO BOX 944210 Sacramento, CA 94244-2100

3. Allow 4 weeks for the request to be processed.

  • Refer to your bank account as it’s processed the date your check is cashed.

4. Allow another 2 weeks for the verification to be emailed to the receiving Board of Nursing.

5. If the receiving Board of Nursing indicates that they have not received the verification, wait 30 days (no more than 90 days) before reaching out to the California Board of Nursing.

6. After the 30 days, they will make another attempt and send a second email.

Timing

Permanent License

Approximately 10-12 weeks upon receipt of all required materials.

Temporary License

Approximately 2-3 weeks upon receipt of all required materials.


Fees

Endorsement Application: $350.00

Temporary License: $100.00

Fingerprint Card (If Out-of-State): $49.00

Important things to Know About Applying For Licensure for Endorsement

  • Active duty military spouses or partners receive expedited review.
  • At the end of the application process, you will have the opportunity to attach documents to the application. Please attach as much information as possible to reduce paperwork, speed the review process, and reduce the need for deficiency letters.
  • See Important Notice Regarding Your Application for additional information for applicants with criminal convictions or discipline.
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