Getting a California License

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Hello -

I applied for a California license by endorsement at the end of October. I applied for a temporary permit as well (in person). I have yet to receive anything from them as of today, February 18th. I am wondering if anyone else is having this problem?

I have called multiple times, starting in December. I was able to speak to someone at the Board of Consumer affairs and they were helpful - checked on the status of my application and said everything looks okay (transcripts were received, NURSYS form and livescan form), it just needs to be approved. She said it could take up to 6 months and that the phones at the BON office are essentially turned off so they can process applications. Apparently, they changed their processing system October 1 and are still recovering from that?

My concern is that the NURSYS verification is only good for 3 months, if they have yet to verify my Va license, I would think I would need to pay again.

Any advice?

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Specializes in ER.

I haven't started the process yet but am looking into it (for Cali). I've heard from numerous people that it is taking a LONG time. Like 4 months minimum. Recruiters have been telling me the same. One lady I was talking to requested fingerprint card in Oct and just now got them. Not sure about the nursys verification.. surely you won't have to pay again though!? I will be doing the same (nursys) when I apply as well.

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Specializes in NICU.

I requested my fingerprint cards in January. I hear it takes weeks to receive those and then 6 months to get the license. Good luck!

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You don't have to wait for the fingerprint cards from the board. California will take the standard FD-258 supplied by any agency that can roll prints.

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Specializes in NICU.

Are you sure about that? I have heard differently. BUT if its true I will send those in as soon as I can!

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Have I ever lied to you? Yes, it is true and will lop off a lot of waiting time. I'm not sure why the board doesn't recommend it in the directions, but I have it from the horse's mouth. In some states, you have to fill out coding on generic fingerprint cards appropriately (some states won't even allow this), but because for California you are not sending it directly to the BOJ but with a stop at the BON first, it is not necessary. California will track your fingerprint cards and collate them with the rest of your application by your social security number. So they don't have to be submitted together, but it is a good idea.

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I believe NedRN is correct- I thi k you can get fingerprints at any police department.

I dropped off my application in person and did Livescan in California.

I had received my fingerprint cards about 1.5 weeks after I requested them.

at the office- I was told it would be 6 weeks max for my license to be received AND I paid for a temporary license that I hoped to get even sooner.

I am headed into my 5th month of waiting, with no response from the Bon. . . Other than- we are swamped/overwhelmed. I even called the office of consumer affairs to try to get some info- a VERY nice woman assisted me and essentially told me that my application is sitting in a pile somewhere in the office and that they aren't answering phone calls - all of their time is spent processing the back log of applications.

I still try to call about every two weeks- mostly because IF there is an issue with my transcripts or application I want to resolve it ASAP.

NEDRN gives the best advice!

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Well, thanks! It is a bit disturbing to hear about your waiting period after doing the Livescan in state. I suspect there is some issue that you are unaware of, and not being able to talk to them to find out what it is makes it worse. Possibly you could call the BOJ just to rule out any issue with your background check. It really shouldn't be your education, although that could hold up your perm. Have you done the license check at the BON online site? It may have already been issued. There is a separate search function to check on your temp - checking the perm won't reveal your temp status.

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Ned is right. You can use the fingerprint cards from your local police agency and mail them in with your application. I did this, and I have my California license.

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How much does it cost to get a California license?

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If you have to ask, you can't afford it!

Just the license? Or total including verifications, transcripts, with temp, and RT airfare?

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I wonder what has been the hold up lately?? I sent in fingerprint cards and received my license in about 6-8 weeks.

A girl I know had to have here reviewed for an old felony and hers only took a week liner. She did fingerprint cards also!

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