Licensure by Endorsement 2017

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Can someone who has recently gone through this share their experience with me?

I submitted my application electronically for licensure by endorsement on Feb. 8, 2017, after passing my NCLEX in Arizona. I paid the fee for a temporary license as well (even though I've heard that may just be a waste of money and some hospitals don't accept a temp one). I did the live scan in California, sent my transcripts from my nursing school (and the community college where I did prereq's at), and I uploaded all of the necessary documents to the licensure by endorsement application (passport photo, etc.).

I have heard that the estimated 10-12 weeks processing time may not even apply until they have deposited the money you pay them (which I've been checking by looking at my bank account online). Is this true? I have been offered interviews only to have the invites rescinded once I told them that I applied for endorsement recently. The recruiters told me it may take way longer than the 10-12 weeks. I have written my local assemblymember in San Diego about this, and he said that he forwarded my complaint and proposal that the CA BRN be better staffed to the assemblymember in Sacramento. I'm growing anxious because I moved here with my husband after nursing school for his dream job and realizing that I may be waiting to work for a long time, even though recruiters have shown interest. Meanwhile I am volunteering as a Spanish medical interpreter (thanks to my first degree) and trying to somehow keep nursing knowledge fresh in my head. I know CA is a tough place for new grad nurses and that so many others are suffering due to the backlog at the CA BRN...but I am starting to wonder if I'll ever get that CA license or if I'll need to go back to AZ and try to join my husband here in a few years.

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If you haven't been to this section of their site yet:

Processing Times

10-12 weeks is listed as the current wait time for licensure by endorsement.

... and 8-10 weeks is the current wait for a temporary license.

That is, assuming, that everything you've submitted has been received correct and complete.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Dialysis, Hospice.

I do phone triage from home for agencies all over the country and am currently licensed by endorsement in 11 states besides my original state where I passed boards 27 years ago.

One of the states that I need to be licensed in is California and I can tell you from personal experience that their BON is slower than molasses in January, by far the slowest one that I have had to deal with. It took over four months for me to get RN licensure by endorsement there and that was with having submitted everything correctly and not needing to redo anything. One of my co-workers said that one of the nurses at one of the agencies that we service told her that new grads in CA are waiting 6-8 months for licensure by exam, so I think endorsement is probably a little quicker.

My impression when dealing with the CA BON was always that they are woefully understaffed and stressed out. They do need to hire more people, it isn't fair to nurses who apply for licensure to have to wait months and months. I have heard that CA is having major budget issues at the state level, maybe this has something to do with it.

I recently needed to obtain my Colorado RN license by endorsement. The entire process took about three weeks from start to finish. It definitely depends on what state you are dealing with.

Best of everything to you and hang in there!

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Thank you for that feedback! It's nice to hear from someone who has actually gone through this give me a more realistic idea of how long I'll be waiting. I'm glad I got my NCLEX over with through AZ BON, and then applied for endorsement in CA because I can't imagine waiting that long to test. Since I applied for endorsement February 8 and it took you 4 months, I think I'll just not expect anything until the beginning of June then. Thanks again!

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Did you ever get your license New2CAnurse? I applied for endorsement on May 24th and, same as you, completed my LiveScan and all of that in CA. I haven't quite hit 12 weeks yet but judging by the application period currently being processed (according to their website) it's going to be a long wait. Anyone else in the same boat?

I hope you got your license and everything worked out for you!

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