CA state Licensure... How long does it take!

mangubatmc · Dec 6, 2005

i applied in aug 30 and i got my license last week,about 3 mos wait. make sure u complete ur reqt on the first month.

suzanne4, RN · Dec 7, 2005

Have you verified with them that they have actually received everything? Such as your school transcripts, etc. If they have not received everything, they will not notify you.

As long as they have verification from a state where you are licensed, they can issue you a temporary license until they complete your file and that is good for 6 months. You just have to go to Sacramento to get it in person, if you do not have it in advance in your hand. That is what most travellers actually do here.

I take it that you sent in two sets of fingerprint cards? There could have been an issue with one of them. One little thing can delay everything.

I suggest that you phone them and follow up with your file. Best time to do it is at 9 am Calfornia time, it is usually easy to get thru at that time.

The other thing, have you been checking the CA BON website for license verification? You will see your name there before the snail mail gets to you.

JazzyRN · Jan 17, 2006

they are a walk through state. if i were you i would do what i did. and go to sacramento and get your temp license that same day and not wait around for them to mail and process these things for you. You can have it in about 2 hrs

ashthomps · Jan 20, 2006

I just got my CA license the 1st of January. I did the walk through in Sacramento and have to say that's the way to go. They've recently moved and are way behind on opening their mail! When I got there I heard the guy that works there telling another traveler that they were just opening mail that they recieved from December 21st! And I got there December 30th. Make sure you give them AT LEAST 6 weeks to process everything.

pearldora · Jan 24, 2006

I did the "walk through" in Calif. in December. If you call ahead, they will NOT let you know what they have and have not received as far as transcripts or State Licensure certification. Believe me, I called and called. The best thing to do is confirm with the school/schools that all was sent, and also confirm with your State Board where you initiated the certification request that the cert. has been sent. I was so nervous about this, that my State Board actually faxed a notice to the Calif Board stating they had submitted the certification to them. I didn't want to get to the Calif Board and not have all my ducks in a row.

If you do the "walk through" (which is a breeze), you'll just have to drive a little ways to the Dept of Justice (the Calif Board will give you directions if you're not sure where it is), and have them scanned there. OR, you can mapquest and find your way to the Dept of Justice first and get your fingerprint scans. For the walk-through, you have to use the scan, not fingerprint cards. If you're doing this the long way and not planning on actually going to Sacramento to get a temp nursing license, or if your state is part of the NURSYS program, a sister program that can electronically transfer Board info directly to Calif., your best option and quickest way to get the temp license under which to practice in Calif is the walk-through. You get a temp license while the permanent licensure goes into process. i believe you get the perm license w/in 4-6 months. I hope this helps!