CA BRN accepts ITIN in place of SSN

lr1234 · Aug 30, 2007

PS. Make sure you fax them your SSN number as soon as you get it even if you got your license using your ITIN so that they can update your file. They accept ITIN/SSN numbers only by fax or mail, not by telephone.

I just called CA BRN and they said they will issue an RN license with an ITIN number if the person doesn't yet have an SSN. This is good news for people who are already in the US on a dependent visa, but are ineligible for SSN (for example H4 visa holders).
The downside is that the IRS requires that you file the ITIN application together with your tax return, so you can't just apply for the ITIN without filing your tax return at the same time.
LR

suzanne4, RN · Aug 31, 2007

It really does not help and we do not advise it. You cannot work with the ITIN# so you are trying to get around the requirements that show proof thast you can legally work in the US.

You still need to have the SSN# to renew your license. I never recommend things like this be done. Unfortunately, we have seen it happen too often and the nurse works illegally in a nursing home and then gets deported. There is just no reason to have a license number if you cannot work legally in the US. Have seen this done because unscrupulous attorneys told nurses that they could work right away like this while waiting for their papers, and it just is not so.

Wanting to get the license when you cannot work only leaves a bad taste. Have seen too many bad things happen in CA over the past year with getting the license with the ITIN# and it has not been good. Many have been deported because of same.

So not good information, if you have seen things from the other side of it.

lr1234 · Sep 3, 2007

Suzanne,

For many people the reason for wanting their CA licenses with the ITIN is simply because they want to know if they passed the NCLEX as soon as possible after the test by checking for their license info online. Waiting 3-4 weeks for the results in the mail is just too much. If CA participated in the quick results system I'm sure many would be happy to wait until the SSN to get their hard licenses.

Working illegally on ITIN and getting deported is another thing. I'm surprised that there are lawyers who advise their clients to do that!

It really does not help and we do not advise it. You cannot work with the ITIN# so you are trying to get around the requirements that show proof thast you can legally work in the US.
You still need to have the SSN# to renew your license. I never recommend things like this be done. Unfortunately, we have seen it happen too often and the nurse works illegally in a nursing home and then gets deported. There is just no reason to have a license number if you cannot work legally in the US. Have seen this done because unscrupulous attorneys told nurses that they could work right away like this while waiting for their papers, and it just is not so.
Wanting to get the license when you cannot work only leaves a bad taste. Have seen too many bad things happen in CA over the past year with getting the license with the ITIN# and it has not been good. Many have been deported because of same.
So not good information, if you have seen things from the other side of it.

suzanne4, RN · Sep 3, 2007

unfortunately, there are those that do that. And also instruct their clients to get the ITIN# when they have come over here with the tourist visa and have stayed illegally. Have seen so much of it, that it gets me very upset. And if the nurse is already in the US under the H4 visa, it is only about two weeks to get results by mail, not the one month, that is only if out of the US.

And actually, only 1/2 of the states use Quickk Results in the first place, it is definitely not most of the US. And many of the others have to wait a fair amount of time as well.

Sorry, but I do not like to see anyone using the ITIN# when they do not have taxes to pay, and they can be followed by the IRS for not reporting taxers, that is what it was designed for. There is no reason that be placed on a hit list by the IRS just because somone is anxious to get their results. That is something that anyone should never wish to do.

Because someone is anxious to get their results, this is not the way to do it. It just causes too many issues. And getting the results in a hurry, by just a couple of days, is no reason to cause this many problems in the future. Average wait time in CA is ten days, so to wait just a few days extra makes more sense to me.