Fingerprinting for CA License endorsement

[reginacourtney]

Hi all!

I'm currently an RN in Massachusetts trying to obtain my CA Nursing license and i'm having a lot of trouble with the fingerprinting. Is it absolutely necessary to wait for the fingerprint hard card from the CA BON, or is it possible to get it done at a police station without the card, because I have been waiting for 2 weeks just for the card and its really slowing everything down. I'm trying to get a job out there prior to October and I just can't believe how long the process is taking. Also is it necessary to send all information in together or could I send in my application and fee prior to the fingerprints? I have already had my nursing school send in the transcripts so I can't really see how I would send transcripts in with everything since they want them directly from the nursing school. ANY HELP AT ALL WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I just want to get out of MA!!

thanks so muchhh,

Regina

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Only the CA BON can answer your questions with certainty.

I would bet the rent that their fingerprint card is their method of documentation, and the only documentation they will accept.

[toomuchbaloney]

What she said.

You need to call the CA BON and discover WHICH fingerprint card they utilize and then discover if any fingerprinting services in your area have or can obtain that specific card more quickly.

Good luck.

[RunninOnCoffee]

From my personal experience don't wait for the card, it won't come. When I applied back in January as a transfer from FL I was reading where so many people were never receiving requested cards, myself included. The finger print card I believe is the standard issue card. I think the form number maybe on the website if I remember right. Hopefully the back log has somewhat resolved, but I waited over 4 months for my license to be processed. They are (were) attempting to process applications in roughly 90 days after processing payment. It was taking nearly 30 days just for payment to be processed. While I hope this is not your situation, be prepared to wait and wait and wait some more. Last fall they changed computer systems and it was a complete disaster. CA BON gets two thumbs down from me!

[winniegirl92]

Do you think it helps at all to call the BON after sending in the application? Does it speed up the process at all?

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

Do you think it helps at all to call the BON after sending in the application? Does it speed up the process at all?

Nope! They actually make you wait 6-8 weeks after your application has been received before they'll even communicate with you over the phone.

I experienced so much confusion with my fingerprint card that I ended up flying there and doing Live Scan, instead.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I'm trying to get a job out there prior to October and I just can't believe how long the process is taking.

You will not receive a CA license prior to October. The backlog of endorsement applications is currently enough to keep the CA BRN busy for the next three to four months. The process is slower than slow.

Also is it necessary to send all information in together or could I send in my application and fee prior to the fingerprints?

You can send your application and fee prior to sending your fingerprints. However, the examiners at the CA BRN will not process your application without the fingerprints. In other words, your application will just sit there in a building in Sacramento untouched.

[shoegalRN, RN]

I currently hold a CA license and work as a travel RN in Cali. It took 3 months to endorse from my home state. I used the standard fingerprint cards from the police department and sent them in with my application.

[doggal]

I have had major snafus with the hard cards. If at all possible go out and do a Live Scan. I am in a similar boat and just contacted the DOJ for a clerical rejection of hard card fingerprints (second submission). But I am flying out in October and will probably have to do a Live Scan. The bureaucracy is incredible.