Initial License in California

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Hello everyone,

When should I submit my application for initial license by examination for California?

I am attending school in Arizona, graduating May 8th. The CA BON website says if you are attending a school in CA to submit it 2-3 weeks before graduation, but does not specify for out of state schools.

I am thinking I need to submit it about 2 months before (in the next week or so) but am not sure and don't want to mess it up. My professors don't really know and the hold times for calling the BON are ridiculous.

I'm hoping someone can tell me their experience and give me some advice.

Thank you

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Have you considered taking NCLEX in Arizona and then getting your license in CA by endorsement? It may be a faster route.

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I would apply 3 weeks out. The CA BON does not recommend applicants applying further out than 2-3 weeks. I would also recommend doing everything on the online application on Breeze, and not the paper application.

I would not recommend taking the NCLEX for the Arizona BON and transferring to CA by endorsement, if the sole goal is to work in CA. The CA BON website actually states that this can be slower than just taking the NCLEX in AZ for CA licensure.

The bigger issue is the fingerprinting. It is 100% worth it to travel to CA from AZ and get the LiveScan done in CA. The fingerprint card can be a hassle.

The CA BON has massively revamped their online process and it's much more reliable than paper. If you have an option do something online, I would recommend that option.

Make sure when your School of Nursing mails your final transcript with "degree conferred" stated on it, that you also mail every single one of your community college transcripts for prereq classes too (if you went to different CC's.)

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Hi. I just went through this process. It took in total 16 weeks for me to get my ATT. I applied directly to California BON, did a hard copy of my finger prints and submitted everything a month before graduation. Here's a breakdown of my timeline:

Applied: Nov 14th

Finger prints submitted: Nov 15th

Graduation: Dec 14th

Approval to test: March 3rd

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Hi! I went through the same process. Applied Nov 6, graduated dec 14, did my fingerprints in CA week of Christmas, and got my ATT on jan 27. Apply soon, you don’t need to wait for 2 weeks until graduation if you are applying from schools outside of CA

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WOW!, thank you all so much.

I really appreciate all of the responses and input! Just curious how long it took you guys to get a testing date once you got your ATT? I'm trying to decide if getting an interim permit would be worth it as well.

Appreciate you all some much!

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12 minutes ago, Intensive Care Murse said:

WOW!!, thank you all so much.

I really appreciate all of the responses and input! Just curious how long it took you guys to get a testing date once you got your ATT? I'm trying to decide if getting an interim permit would be worth it as well.

Appreciate you all some much!

There were dates available the next day after getting my ATT, so an IP wouldn't have been worth it for me. It really depends on where you live too. This was for Northern California.

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5 minutes ago, MEJAC said:

There were dates available the next day after getting my ATT, so an IP wouldn't have been worth it for me. It really depends on where you live too. This was for Northern California.

WOW! that's really fast, did not expect to hear that! Everyone I've asked has had to wait like a month or so (I haven't asked too many people though). I would ideally like to take it in SoCal (orange county), so maybe it takes a lot longer down south. But good to know!

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Specializes in Maternity.

Graduating this upcoming December. I've been told to do Live Scan fingerprinting ASAP, even before submitting Breeze application in December. I've already submitted the livescan (got it done at UPS yesterday). Now I am SO concerned I've done it backwards. all of the students in my class have, pretty much. How do we remedy this?? Thank you!

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On 9/17/2020 at 4:35 PM, Anne M said:

Graduating this upcoming December. I've been told to do Live Scan fingerprinting ASAP, even before submitting Breeze application in December. I've already submitted the livescan (got it done at UPS yesterday). Now I am SO concerned I've done it backwards. all of the students in my class have, pretty much. How do we remedy this?? Thank you!

Did you ever find a fix? Currently in the same boat…

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Specializes in Maternity.

Yeah it worked out. Got my stuff approved at same time as classmates, didn’t have to do anything special. You’ll be good 

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On 3/6/2020 at 7:13 AM, MEJAC said:

There were dates available the next day after getting my ATT, so an IP wouldn't have been worth it for me. It really depends on where you live too. This was for Northern California.

I recently graduated from Michigan State and applied to Breeze in April. There are deficiencies listed on my application and it is still pending. The anatomy and physiology courses for my program did not have labs, but some of my deficiencies are anatomy with lab and physiology with lab. Do you know if they ever waive these? Also, they listed courses I have already taken like psychology and social sciences. Any feedback helps as I already have plans to move out to California in August and am hoping to take my NCLEX soon!

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