How do I get a Cali liscense?

calliesmom96 · Jul 3, 2010

Good luck with getting the California license. I applied for one last September and I still don't have it. I've had to send in fingerprint cards 3 different times, and I'm still not sure if they've accepted the latest ones. I recently received a letter from them where they're having an issue with my transcript, claiming that it doesn't reflect a completion or passing grade on a course that I never took! So I don't know whose transcript they were looking at. I've tried to call and can't get through, so now I have to write a letter which I'm not sure will ever be read or addressed. I only have 2-1/2 more months to get them to issue it, or I've wasted a lot of time and money and then have to start all over. I'm not sure I want to work in California bad enough to go through all this again. I think I would just wait until you actually get an assignment, then apply for the license and the temporary permit, and then do the electronic fingerprints once you get into the state. Again, good luck with it.

sexyaqr · Jul 3, 2010

It took me about 3-4 weeks to get my license. I paid $105 to the cali board and no ..you do not need the temporary license. Once you have the fingerprint card done. Send off verication of your current license and transcript requests. I mailed off the application about 2 days after. Hope you get it

FutureNurse2B · Jul 3, 2010

Thanks a bunch. Yea My recruiter said its best just to wait until I accept an assignment in cali then I can fly out to do the walk through. Glad she told me that before I sent in the application. I still havent received the fingerprint cards I requested tho. Seems it takes forever.

EmergencyNrse · Jul 3, 2010

If you're going to do the walk-thru you don't need the fingerprint cards.

Before you go:

-Make sure your transcripts are ready from your nursing program.

-If your state isn't in the NURSYS program. I would send Nursys a certified copy of your NCLEX and have it available to be released to the Cali board.

https://www.nursys.com/NLV/LicenseVerificationJurisdictions.aspx

-Allow yourself some time the day before to go down to one of the many fingerprint offices and do it then.

Preparation is the key. Have all your ducks in a row before you leave and it's simple.

I flew to San Francisco on a Thursday. Got my fingerprints done that afternoon. Drove to Sacramento and spent the night down the street from the Board of Nursing. Was in the office by 9:00 a.m. and submitted my transcripts (sealed copy) I brought with me. I was told to return in a couple hours. Went out to brunch and came back @ 11:00. I had license in-hand by 11:15 and was back on the road by 11:30.

I had the rest of the weekend and drove up to Lake Tahoe. Incredible!

Continued on to Reno to donate some $$$ to the state of Nevada on Saturday

(:lol2:Hold'em & Blackjack :lol2: ). I was back in San Fran on Sunday to check into my apartment and was promptly @ work Monday morning.

Easier than the mail route I assure you. I would do it all over again just to spend a weekend @ Tahoe. You really have to go.

Good luck.

FutureNurse2B · Jul 6, 2010

Wow thanks! So do you think its a good idea to go ahead and have my transcripts send from my school now even though I have not accepted an assignment yet? Or should I wait until the process starts beginning. Maryland is apart of the nursys system so I'm good to go for that.

EmergencyNrse · Jul 6, 2010

Wow thanks! So do you think its a good idea to go ahead and have my transcripts send from my school now even though I have not accepted an assignment yet?

It seemed to me that your focus is on going to Cali. Sure, go ahead and send them your transcripts.

They will create a file for you... Do as much as you can BEFORE you go.

It is also my suggestion that you keep several sealed copies with you just in case.

"Chance favors the prepared mind."

Good luck. The pay out here doesn't suck.

UofCRN · Aug 11, 2010

Hey, I'm a Canadian and licensed thru Minnesota before getting a CA license. I didn't have to wait too long for a temporary CA license, but that was because I'd been offered a job in Santa Barbara, so perhaps having a job offer helps. Having said that, I'm now in the process of renewing my CA licence (began renewal process in June) and it is taking quite some time. Hang in there, though ... it seems that CA is one of the more difficult states to license through.

lindy333 · Aug 12, 2010

Hey all,
So I'm in the process of applying for a Ca liscense

I am also in the process of getting my California License.

The Confirmation Card is not available online only if they send you the application via mail. I sent mine with confirmation by the postal office of delivery so I know it was at least delivered to them. Iwas told that California is no longer a walk thru state and you can't fly out and get your license the next day. I send my application in

three weeks ago and they still haven't cashed my check. I am unsure if my finger prints passed or if my transcript was good enough for them. So waiting patiently and if my fingerprints do fail I decided to fly out and do the live scan to speed up the process. Good Luck. I will post here when I do get mine and let everyone know how long it took.

kimtab · Sep 20, 2010

they require fingerprint results before issuing a temp license http://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/applicants/tlcounter.pdf

So you can only walk through if you have done your fingerprints and the results have been reported to them.

I sent in my stuff as I had it. I had everything in as of May 25, 2010 and my license was issued about 6 weeks later.