Overview
The Board of Registered Nursing regulates the practice of registered nursing and certified advanced practice nurses in order to protect the public. The Board exists to protect the health and safety of consumers and promote quality registered nursing care in California.
Registered Nursing (RN) Licensure by Examination
Applicants must take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) if they have never taken and passed, or been licensed as a registered nurse in another state. All applicants must have completed an educational program meeting all California requirements. If you are lacking any educational requirements, you must successfully complete an approved course prior to taking the examination.
All Applicants Must Provide the Following:
- Appropriate Fees.
- Completed Application for Licensure by Examination including a U.S. social security number.
- To apply online click here for detailed information on how to apply and pay your application fees online, or go directly to BreEZe to begin filling out your application and pay your fees online.
- To apply via paper application complete and print an Application for Licensure by Examination and mail to the Board address, listed on the application, along with the appropriate fees.
- Completed fingerprints using either the Live Scan Process or the Applicant Fingerprint Card (Hard Card) processing method as directed in the “Instructions for Submitting Fingerprint Cards”. Submit the appropriate nonrefundable TOTAL FEE as directed on the Application Fee Schedule.NOTE: Application does not include fingerprint cards or live scan form. Fingerprint cards and livescan forms may be requested on the Requests page.
- One recent 2″ x 2″ passport-type photograph.
- Completed Request for Accommodation of Disabilities form(s), if applicable.
- Request for Transcript form(s) completed and forwarded directly from the nursing school(s) with certified transcripts.
- If applicable, documents and/or letters explaining prior convictions or disciplinary action and attesting to your rehabilitation as directed in Section II of the General Information and Instructions.CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS WITH CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS OR DISCIPLINE
- Click here for additional information about the NCLEX® from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing
- Click here for an NCLEX® Using CAT video from National Council of State Boards of Nursing which explains the exam process
- Click here for additional information on testing locations
- IN ADDITION FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS:
- A. Send Breakdown of Educational Program for International Nursing Programs form to your school with the Request for Transcript form. Also provide the Certified English Translation form to your certified translator if your transcript is not in English. (See Supplemental Application Instructions for International Graduates with the application.)
- B. Submit a copy of your license or diploma that allows you to practice professional nursing in the country where you were educated. Also, provide copies of your certificates for midwifery and psychiatric nursing, if applicable.
RN Licensure by Endorsement
To qualify for endorsement (reciprocity) into California as a RN, you must hold a current and active license in another state or Canada, have completed an educational program meeting all California requirements, and have passed National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) or the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE). The Canadian Comprehensive Examination is not acceptable. If you do not possess these qualifications, you do not qualify for licensure by endorsement and must apply to take the examination instead.
All Applicants Must Provide the Following:
- Appropriate Fees.
- Completed Application for Licensure by Endorsement including a U.S. social security number.
- Completed fingerprints using either the Live Scan Process or the Applicant Fingerprint Card (Hard Card) processing method as directed in the “Instructions for Submitting Fingerprint Cards”. Submit the appropriate nonrefundable TOTAL FEE as directed on the Application Fee Schedule.NOTE: Application does not include fingerprint cards or live scan form. Fingerprint cards and livescan forms may be requested on the Requests page.
- One recent 2″ x 2″ passport-type photograph.
- Completed Verification of License form OR Nursys® Verification Request Application if your board of nursing participates in Nursys®. International graduates must also submit license verification from the board of nursing where the examination was taken.
NOTE: Nursys® verifications expire 90 days from the date of request. Please do not request your Nursys® verification prior to submission of your endorsement application or it may expire before your file can be fully evaluated. - Request for Transcript form(s) completed and forwarded directly from the nursing school(s) with certified transcripts.
- If applicable, documents and/or letters explaining prior convictions or disciplinary action and attesting to your rehabilitation as directed in Section II of the General Information and Instructions.CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS WITH CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS OR DISCIPLINE
- Request for a Temporary License (optional) if you wish to begin work pending issuance of a permanent license.
PLEASE NOTE: Processing time for a temporary license may take 6-8 weeks. - IN ADDITION FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS:
Send Breakdown of Educational Program for International Nursing Programs form to your school with the Request for Transcript form. Also provide the Certified English Translation form to your certified translator if your transcript is not in English. (See the Supplemental Application Instructions for International Graduates section of the application.)
Application Fees
| DESCRIPTION | FEE AMOUNT |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse Examination Application Fee and Reapply/Repeat Examination Application Fee | $150 |
| Interim Permit | $50 |
| Registered Nurse Endorsement/Reciprocity Application Fee (NOTE: This is not the fee for verification of California RN licensure; see Miscellaneous Fees) | $100 |
| Temporary RN License | $50 |
| Manual Fingerprint Card (DOJ and FBI) | $49 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | $75 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $75 |
| Nurse-Midwife | $75 |
| Nurse-Midwife Furnishing Number | $50 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $75 |
| Nurse Practitioner Furnishing Number | $50 |
| Public Health Nurse | $75 |
| Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse | No Fee |
| Continuing Education Provider | $200 |