Moving to CA

DoeRN · May 29, 2015

I moved to another state and I found most of the requirements stated that you need to be licensed in that state. I applied for my license first then applied for the jobs in the other states.

Oh and I had to do fingerprinting too. I went to the police station and had them fingerprint me and mailed it to the BON and I received my license the following week. The police fingerprinting was sealed and it cost like $10 versus the $80 live scan print. But this wasn't for CA though.

DatMurse · May 30, 2015

I am a nurse in a different state, want to move to CA to be closer to my family.
I have two questions:
1. Can I apply for jobs in CA when I don't have a CA license? Is it better to get the CA license first and then apply?
2. I know the finger print process takes a while. Is it better to go to CA to do it? (I could visit my family and get live scan while I am there.)

whats your specialty?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 30, 2015

Can I apply for jobs in CA when I don't have a CA license? Is it better to get the CA license first and then apply?

You can certainly apply for jobs in CA without a California RN license, but do not expect any callbacks from managers or recruiters. Most local employment markets in CA have more than enough qualified local applicants and will not deal with candidates who have out-of-state licensure because they do not have to.

Hence, it is better if you obtain the CA RN license prior to applying. Start now...it took seven weeks to receive my CA license, and that was relatively fast processing for the CA BRN. I also completed LiveScan fingerprinting during a family visit in CA.

jaimekeverhart · May 30, 2015

Search in "timeline for endorsing to CA license" in the search bar for this website and that forum tells you all you need to know. Get your license first.

Adele_Michal7, ASN, RN · Jun 3, 2015

Gotta get the license first. I got live scanned during a visit as well.

sourapril · Jun 5, 2015

WOW! 7 weeks for live scan? That's just crazy. My family lives in CA but I don't plan on going there any time soon (I just took a long vacation so I don't have many days banked yet.) I was going to just do the fingerprint in my current state and mail it to them, but sounds like I should get a live scan.

You can certainly apply for jobs in CA without a California RN license, but do not expect any callbacks from managers or recruiters. Most local employment markets in CA have more than enough qualified local applicants and will not deal with candidates who have out-of-state licensure because they do not have to.
Hence, it is better if you obtain the CA RN license prior to applying. Start now...it took seven weeks to receive my CA license, and that was relatively fast processing for the CA BRN. I also completed LiveScan fingerprinting during a family visit in CA.

sourapril · Jun 5, 2015

public health

whats your specialty?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2015

WOW! 7 weeks for live scan?

Yep. I mailed my endorsement application, LiveScan receipt and fees to the CA BRN on June 11th and was assigned a CA RN license number on July 28th. Overall, it was almost seven weeks.