Florida to California Licensing Questions

Published

Hello! 

I am a current nursing student in Florida. I am taking my ASN courses at the same time as my BSN courses. I will be finishing and graduating with my ASN (hopeuflly!) at the end of Summer, and with my BSN at the end of fall. 

My family was talking about moving to California to be with our other family, and I had some questions about how to get my licensing there. 

(sorry my questions may seem too simple or repetitive!)

1. When I apply for the NCLEX, will I have the option to apply my results to compact states (FL) AND California at the same time, or would I have to only choose one? Is there the option to pay an extra fee to apply for a license in both states at the same time?

2. If I hold a license in Florida, that would also be applicable to any of the compact states. When I apply for a California license by endorsement, would that mean I will have a license active in all the compact states AND California? Or would I have to give up my compact state license?

3. Should I wait until I get my BSN before applying for endorsement in CA? Or can I take my NCLEX, apply for endorsement, then get my BSN? In other words, is there a separate process for transferring my BSN, or do I only need to get an RN license in CA? 

4. Is there a way I can already check if I need to take any more additional class before applying for a California license? In other words is there a way I can have my transcript looked over before applying for a license to make sure I am on the right track? (I've seen situations when CA tells people they are missing a course or something)

5. I don't need work experience before applying via endorsement right? I plan to go to CA as soon as I can after passing my NCLEX.

Thank you so much!!

image.png image.png image.png
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).

The answers to your questions are on the CA Board of Reg Nursing website.  CA is the hardest RN and NP license to get and it takes a long time.  The usual processing times are also on the CA BON website.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Sarah127 said:

1. When I apply for the NCLEX, will I have the option to apply my results to compact states (FL) AND California at the same time, or would I have to only choose one? Is there the option to pay an extra fee to apply for a license in both states at the same time?

No.  You have to choose one state to have the results sent to.  You can the apply for licensure by endorsement after you receive your initial license.

Sarah127 said:

2. If I hold a license in Florida, that would also be applicable to any of the compact states. When I apply for a California license by endorsement, would that mean I will have a license active in all the compact states AND California? Or would I have to give up my compact state license?

Yes, as long as you maintain residency in, and declare FL as you primary state of residence (PSOR), you can apply for a license with multi-state privileges.  So long as you maintain FL as your PSOR you can practice in any of the compact states using your FL license.

Applying for licensure by endorsement in CA, or any other non-compact state, will have no bearing on your FL, so long as you maintain FL as your PSOR.  If you relocate to another state, and change your PSOR to the new state, what happens to your FL license depends on whether the state you relocate is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).

If you relocate to a state that is not a member of the NLC, in your case CA, when you update your address with the FL BON your FL license will lose its multi-state privileges and become a single state license, only allowing you to practice in FL.

If, however, you relocate to another NLC state you must apply for licensure by endorsement in that state within 60 days.  While your license is being processed in your new state you can practice on you FL license until your new license is issued.  After your new license is issued,  and the FL BON is notified they will place your FL license in an inactive status.

Sarah127 said:

3. Should I wait until I get my BSN before applying for endorsement in CA? Or can I take my NCLEX, apply for endorsement, then get my BSN? In other words, is there a separate process for transferring my BSN, or do I only need to get an RN license in CA? 

No need to wait.  If you are certain that you will be relocating to CA, you can apply for licensure by endorsement as soon as you receive your FL license.  You don't transfer your degree.  Rather, you apply for licensure by endorsement based on passing NCLEX.

Sarah127 said:

4. Is there a way I can already check if I need to take any more additional class before applying for a California license? In other words is there a way I can have my transcript looked over before applying for a license to make sure I am on the right track? (I've seen situations when CA tells people they are missing a course or something)

I'm unsure whether the CA BRN lists required classes.  However, I believe they list approved schools in CA.  Reviewing the program syllabus from three or four programs should provide some indication whether your program will be acceptable.

For question 5, that information should available on the CA BRN website.

Best wishes.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×

There was a time, perhaps about ten years ago, when the college transcript reviewers who worked for the California Board of Nursing seemed to have inconsistent views about how to evaluate college courses. Hopefully, that time has passed. I found that it was helpful to get my live scan fingerprints done while I was in California. 

Now the problem seems to be with Florida RN schools, and RN license applicants who went to school overseas. The nationwide nursing shortage may help make this situation a little less complicated.....I hope.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Chare answered your questions.

See CA BON Important Information for Applicants

Quote

If you attended a nursing program in another State, you may have your transcripts sent to our Board electronically from a certified third-party electronic transcripts vendor such as Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, etc. Your school may also send them directly. Electronic transcripts must be sent to [email protected].

CA § 1426. Required Curriculum.;  Required Prerequisites for RN Examination and Endorsement Applicants  lists communication and science course requirements.

Since the DOJ Nightingale nursing school scam,  California is carefully reviewing Florida nursing school graduates application and declining those from approved but not accredited nursing programs due to lack of onsite nursing program review ( which does occur during accreditation visit).  One can check Florida Prelicensure Nursing Education Programs status to verify schools status.

Sure your excited to be graduating this Summer and then can take NCLEX and upon passing,  begin your nursing career. Best Wishes!

 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
NRSKarenRN said:Since the DOJ Nightingale nursing school scam,  California is carefully reviewing Florida nursing school graduates application and declining those from approved but not accredited nursing programs due to lack of onsite nursing program review ( which does occur during accreditation visit).  One can check Florida Prelicensure Nursing Education Programs status to verify schools status.

 

NRSKarenRN said:

Chare answered your questions.

See CA BON Important Information for Applicants

Since the DOJ Nightingale nursing school scam,  California is carefully reviewing Florida nursing school graduates application and declining those from approved but not accredited nursing programs due to lack of onsite nursing program review ( which does occur during accreditation visit).  One can check Florida Prelicensure Nursing Education Programs status to verify schools status.

Sure your excited to be graduating this Summer and then can take NCLEX and upon passing,  begin your nursing career. Best Wishes!

 

Sure your excited to be graduating this Summer and then can take NCLEX and upon passing,  begin your nursing career. Best Wishes!

 

So if I graduate from an accredited Florida program (Premiere International College), will the California BON eventually approve it? I heard all Florida ASN programs are on hold right now in CA. Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

CA requires specific courses in addition to completing a nursing education program in order to be licensed there.

Required Prerequisites for RN Examination and Endorsement Applicants

Quote

 

California Code of Regulations Section 1426 identifies the prerequisite courses required in addition to a nursing program:

Communication skills, six (6) semester or nine (9) quarter units shall include principals of:

  • Oral communication
  • Written communication
  • Group communication

Related natural sciences, sixteen (16) semester or twenty-four (24) quarter units shall include:

  • Anatomy with lab
  • Physiology with lab
  • Microbiology with lab
  • Behavioral sciences (Psychology)
  • Social sciences

 

Meeting these requirements, graduation from an accredited nursing program + passing NCLEX, good chance of being granted CA license.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion