Licensing in California from out of state

[mddb]

Hello,

I attended an out of state NP (WHNP) program and am returning to California to work. I need some help figuring out the licensing process. Is it correct that you must take and pass the certification exam BEFORE applying for an NP license in California? If so, do you know if it's possible to submit the application to begin processing, and then submit the exam information later (I have not taken the exam yet). Also I am planning on taking the exam out of state (New York), which I am assuming is okay since it's a national test (I'm taking the NCC exam since I'm a WHNP).

Any advice anyone can offer who has gone through this process would be great

Thanks so much!!