Help Needed: California BRN Rejecting NCLEX Verification from AHPRA (Endorsement Issue)

[Maninder Goswami]

Hello everyone,

I hope this message finds you well. I'm reaching out to see if anyone here has faced — or successfully resolved — a similar issue with the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) and AHPRA regarding NCLEX-RN verification for endorsement.

Summary of My Situation:

I took and passed the NCLEX-RN on December 22, through eligibility granted by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

I never obtained licensure or registration with AHPRA — I only used them to gain eligibility to sit for the exam.

I later became a Registered Nurse in Ontario, Canada, licensed through the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO).

In May 2025, I submitted an application for California RN licensure by endorsement.

Issue:

The California BRN requires two things from AHPRA:

Direct NCLEX-RN verification (not just a score transfer).

The Candidate Performance Report (CPR) — sent directly from AHPRA.

Despite multiple attempts, AHPRA continues to send only a score transfer form, which the BRN has told me is not valid for endorsement. This has caused a frustrating delay in my application.

What I've Done So Far:

Reached out to AHPRA several times (between 2024–2025) with clear requests.

Sent the BRN's exact wording:
"NCLEX score transfer is for examination, not for endorsement. Please contact AHPRA and request for your NCLEX Verification including Candidate Performance Results to be sent directly to the Board from AHPRA.”

But AHPRA continues to send the same invalid document.

Questions:

Has anyone successfully navigated this process with AHPRA and California BRN?

Is there specific wording or form that worked for you when requesting from AHPRA?

Can the BRN contact AHPRA directly to clarify?

Any alternative solutions I should consider?

I currently hold an active RN license in Ontario and am simply trying to complete the endorsement process in California. Any advice, guidance, or shared experience would be deeply appreciated. This has been an exhausting bureaucratic loop, and I'm hoping someone here might have found a way through it.

Thank you so much in advance!

[FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP]

Maybe you should look up the top executives with the Australian organization and identify which ones would have authority over this area.  Then write a nice letter and mail each of them using FedEx or some other such service so you can verify they received it.  You can also email them if necessary.  Hopefully that will get some action out of them.

Good luck

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

You're caught in a bureaucratic loop between AHPRA and the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). You're trying to get a simple verification for endorsement, but the miscommunication is delaying your process. Here's some thoughts:

• The key issue here is that the California BRN requires specific verification beyond a score transfer — they need NCLEX-RN verification from AHPRA, including the Candidate Performance Report (CPR). A score transfer alone is insufficient for endorsement purposes. 

• AHRPA, however, may be unaware of the specific format or report that BRN requires. It's crucial to emphasize to AHPRA that the NCLEX-RN verification must include the Candidate Performance Report and must be sent directly from AHPRA to the BRN.

Sometimes, these issues arise from vague or generic requests. Here's a more detailed approach you can try:

• Provide the AHPRA contact directly with BRN's exact requirements. When you contact AHPRA, be explicit about the precise document(s) needed:
  • NCLEX-RN Verification. A copy of the NCLEX results that include your performance report.
  • Candidate Performance Report (CPR). This report includes more detailed information about your performance on the exam.
  • Include an Official Request Letter from BRN. In your email or communication, attach the official correspondence from the California BRN that lists their exact requirements. This way, AHPRA will have a formal understanding of what they need to send.
  • Clear subject line. Make sure the subject line of your request is clear and specific (e.g., "Request for NCLEX-RN Verification with CPR for California Endorsement”).
• Escalate if needed: If you continue to receive incorrect documents, consider escalating the matter to a higher official at AHPRA or request a formal response from their verification or licensing department to expedite the issue.

Can the BRN Contact AHPRA Directly?

Yes, California BRN can contact AHPRA directly if needed. Since AHPRA and BRN are both regulatory agencies, they may have official communication channels for clarifying issues like this. You can request that California BRN contact AHPRA on your behalf and provide any necessary clarifications about what's required.

When you contact BRN, ask if they are willing to reach out to AHPRA directly for the NCLEX-RN verification with the CPR.

Key Action Plan for You

• Send a precise email to AHPRA detailing the required documents.
• Attach the official BRN requirements for verification and Candidate Performance Report.
• Request a higher-level contact or supervisor at AHPRA if the issue persists.
• Ask BRN if they are willing to contact AHPRA directly.
• Consider exploring alternative pathways, such as the NCSBN, if needed.

This type of paperwork process can be complex and frustrating, but persistence, clear communication, and a strategic approach should help resolve the issue.

Good luck!