California Endorsement Process

Sour Lemon · Nov 11, 2020

On 11/9/2020 at 11:10 AM, nps07 said:

Hi everyone I am getting ready to drop a few hundred dollars on this application and I just was hoping that someone who has gone through the process could answer a few questions. I have my fingerprint card, I have access to my schools and ready to transfer transcripts, and I am ready with the license verification off of nursys.

question 1:

after you finish your fingerprint card are you responsible to send it in, and if so does it simply get sent into the board of nursing?

question 2:

under the education history tab, I have some prerequisites that were done in a different college that I did not earn my nursing degree from, would you add them into the nursing history tab? I am aware that I have to send transcripts from the school where I did my prerequisites, but does it need to be noted on the application?

I've endorsed to California, but it was 6-8ish years ago. I tried to do a fingerprint card, and I was responsible for mailing it in myself. It was not accepted, however. In the end, I flew to California and did a live scan to avoid further frustration.

I would absolutely include all schools. The California BON takes a long time to process applications, and that's if everything is 100% clear and perfect.

VegasScout, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2021

I just received my CA nursing license through endorsement on 12/31/20. My advice is to go to CA directly to do the Livescan fingerprinting process. It is so much easier and faster. I drove from Las Vegas to Barstow, CA and got it done and it still almost took 3 months for the BON to process my application. Luckily, they found no deficiencies in my file. If you send in the fingerprint card, I hear it takes close to forever for them to process your application.

buffalo2122, ADN, BSN, MSN · Mar 13, 2021

Vegasscout, do you have to have everything in the application done before doing the livescan? Or can you do that anytime in the process? I live in AZ. Also, do they only want ADN transcripts? I have my BSN and MSN as well. And can I send the official transcripts with my application? Or does the school have to send them? Do we need to use the transcript request on the application or can I just order them online from my school and have them send it to me so I can send with my completed app? Thanks!!

VegasScout, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2021

You can probably get the Live Scan done at any time throughout the process. I don't know for certain, but you probably can. As for transcripts, your school MUST send them, not you because they need to be official. I would send all three nursing school transcripts. You probably don't need the MSN one, but why not include it if it is an easy process (an electronic transcript for example) just to be sure.

As for using their transcript request form, I used it for my BSN transcript because the Registrar's office was adamant that I needed it for California. I also sent in about 6 other transcripts because I completed my prereqs at a variety of schools and all transcripts were required. I didn't use a transcript request form for any of them and it didn't affect me in the slightest.

I would use that transcript request form just in case. It didn't affect my application but I could have just had a generous and forgiving person processing my app. The electronic transcripts almost always have a button to upload any necessary forms. You can upload it there and they will use it when sending out your transcript.

buffalo2122, ADN, BSN, MSN · Mar 21, 2021

Thank you so much! Do you know if it makes a difference doing the application online? Or sending it by snail mail?

nps07 · Mar 21, 2021

On 3/13/2021 at 4:53 PM, buffalo2122 said:

Vegasscout, do you have to have everything in the application done before doing the livescan? Or can you do that anytime in the process? I live in AZ. Also, do they only want ADN transcripts? I have my BSN and MSN as well. And can I send the official transcripts with my application? Or does the school have to send them? Do we need to use the transcript request on the application or can I just order them online from my school and have them send it to me so I can send with my completed app? Thanks!!

I had everything ready to send before filing the application (just have the hard card in your hand, and all the school info you need, be ready to request transcripts too). I wrote all my degrees related to nursing (ADN and BSN) and the prereqs (I had 4 colleges total). safer to just include everything. after I filed the application I requested my schools to send transcripts the next day directly to the CBON. that next day I also went in and got my hard card fingerprints. I sent it in using 1-day certified mail (they want both fingerprint cards sent, but I only sent one and it didn't make a dif in the end - I emailed the fingerprint dept at the CBON to make sure it was fine). it took me almost 5 months to get my lic number. I filed in mid November, and I got my lic number early march.

nps07 · Mar 21, 2021

54 minutes ago, buffalo2122 said:

Thank you so much! Do you know if it makes a difference doing the application online? Or sending it by snail mail?

def do the online application. youll need to request transcripts directly from the schools to go directly to the CBON address. I hear the livescan makes the application process faster, but I was not about to fly out to get my finger scanned. took me about 5 months to process. using hard card.

buffalo2122, ADN, BSN, MSN · Mar 21, 2021

Do I have to have the app done before doing livescan? The website makes it seem like I can't fingerprint until the app is sent in.

nps07 · Mar 22, 2021

As far fingerprints go... You do them after the application is turned in. Remember that the application does not start getting processed right away.... If you search for the status of applications through the California Board of nursing you will see that it takes them about a month or two to only start processing.

its these steps:

1.gather hard card, documents, and info needed for app

2. submit app

3. send in fingerprints AND transcripts

4. wait until they contact you or you get your number.

buffalo2122, ADN, BSN, MSN · Mar 23, 2021

Thank you! I did the app online. Waiting on them to email my livescan forms and then just need to send in my transcript. I hope they send the livescan forms quickly so I can make the drive to CA asap! ?

buffalo2122, ADN, BSN, MSN · Mar 23, 2021

On 3/21/2021 at 7:56 PM, nps07 said:

As far fingerprints go... You do them after the application is turned in. Remember that the application does not start getting processed right away.... If you search for the status of applications through the California Board of nursing you will see that it takes them about a month or two to only start processing.

its these steps:

1.gather hard card, documents, and info needed for app

2. submit app

3. send in fingerprints AND transcripts

4. wait until they contact you or you get your number.

Do you think I should go through the trouble of changing my last name at the nursing school I went to? The transcripts are under my maiden name and I don't want them to get lost.