California Licensure by Endorsement Help!

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Hi Everyone,

I am starting the process of obtaining my RN licensure for California. I am currently licensed in North Carolina.

I've heard the process can be very long and just wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions.

I will be visiting California in March and heard that the livescan fingerprinting is much faster but I am unsure if it is an option since I am not a resident of CA. Does anyone know this?

Also, I see they request transcripts. I have been to many different schools! Do I need to submit all transcripts or just the nursing and microbiology classes? ... Also with this, can I just use the schools transcript request process. Most schools have the option to mail electronically.

I am super excited but nervous for this process. Thanks for reading in advance :)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Best bet is to ask the CA BON. Anyone who answers here may have (unintentional) outdated answers.

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Specializes in ICU, Military.

I was stationed at the Naval Hospital in San Diego for 4 years and since I'm active duty and this is a govt facility we werent required to get a California license if we had a valid license in another state. I worked with 2 girls in NC who decided to do a travel assignment in LA and it was a complete circus for them trying to get licensed. They had accepted a contract months ahead of time and when it was time for them to start work neither had got their license yet. They literally had to drive to Sacremento (from LA, LONNNNNNG drive) to get this sorted out in person. So you should definitely plan on this taking a while.

Regarding the transcripts, check with the board to see what is required. California is one of a handful of states that will not license nurses from schools such as Excelsior (if Excelsior is where you received your initial licensure). I would assume they are more interested in where you attended nursing school to verify it is a program that is accepted in CA.

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Best bet is to ask the CA BON. Anyone who answers here may have (unintentional) outdated answers.

While I agree with this 100%, the California BON are not good communicators. You pretty much need to show up in person to have a good chance of speaking with someone. If you can't do that, follow the written instructions as closely as possible, then wait months for them to send you a letter telling you what needs correction (if anything).

OP, I can't actually remember the answers to your questions! I think I tried my best to block the experience from my mind. I did end up flying to CA to do my fingerprinting, and I'm 90% sure that I didn't have a California ID yet ...but I'm not 100% sure.

You will need all of your nursing and prerequisite class transcripts. I do remember that much...

Good luck!

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