We all know getting licensed in California (CA) takes forever. If you, like me, went to nursing school in a different state and is wondering if it's better to get your license in that state and then endorsing in CA, read this. My experience was in Nebraska (NE), so I can't speak for other states. I'm writing this post because I searched for this information and couldn't find it anywhere. Now, I have lived it and I am here to put this information out there in hopes to help someone.
First caveat, it's going to be more expensive, so first figure out what is your priority time vs money. On that note, NE waves its fees for veterans, their spouses and family of active military. It also waves fees for people under 24yo.
I went to school in NE after being frustrated trying to get in Nursing School in CA. My graduation date was August 20th. I sent in my application (very simple, paper based application) June 28th (however, I have friends who didn't send there application until beginning of August and they got their ATT just two days after me). On the application, I chose to get a single state license (in order to get a multi state license you need to be a resident of NE and I was not).
NE state was amazing, within two weeks I got an e-mail from them confirming that I understood that in order to practice in CA I had to endorse my license. There responses were super fast, and even before I sent in my application, anytime I sent an e-mail asking a question, I would get a response in 10 min at the most. They confirmed over e-mail that my application was good and they were just waiting for my transcripts.
The transcripts were sent out on August 21st. On August 24th, I got my ATT. I scheduled my exam for Sept 7th (in CA) at 8am. I finished the exam at 1030am and at 1251pm I got an e-mail from the state of NE congratulating me on passing the NCLEX and the number of my license. SAME DAY.
I applied for endorsement in CA on Sept 9th, did my fingerprints on Sept 11 and got my endorsed license on Oct 5th. The whole CA deal with fingerprints and application for temp license cost me $525. I made the mistake of paying for the temporary license that I never got. They just straight up gave me the license almost one month later. A friend of mine who is a veteran got her temp license three days after application.
This is my experienced. Time was more important than money for me because I had a job lined up and I didn't want to wait too long to take the NCLEX. I think it was worth it and the only thing I would change is I wouldn't apply for the temp license in CA.
