NCLEX: Authorization to test in CA...how long did it take?

myRN19 · Feb 17, 2012

Congrats on graduating soon! Well, my school paid for all the fingerprinting. It was through livescan and that was about a month before graduating. Within a month of graduating, received papers in the mail that I was able to test. Scheduled through pearsonvue and they email you the ATT with 15 minutes or so. All this was in CA. So the waiting was not that long. Just make sure you schedule your test soon as availability fills up quick. Good luck!

raincitynurse · Feb 20, 2012

Thank you so much for your reply! I know the time frame for evey board of nursing is different, and it is great to some perspective!Cheers!RainCity

pDilla · Feb 21, 2012

I had a similar experience as the RN above. My school did the fingerprints through Live Scan and sent out our applications about a month before we graduated. Then, the BRN sent each of us letters saying our application was incomplete because we needed to send in our official transcripts. I think my school did this just to get us into the system. On the day that we took our last final, we were able to register on Pearsonvue. All we needed was our school code. As soon as you have that school code and pay for the NCLEX you can schedule a date. However, the BRN won't release your results until they have all of your paperwork processed. I took the NCLEX exactly one month after my last final, got my results in 2 days.

Somethings to keep in mind:

CA is NOT a part of any interstate licensure agreement so if you want to start working in CA right away, you should probably apply for a CA license.

The market in CA for new grads is rough! I'm not sure if it's good anywhere really, but California is no exception.

Hope this helps! Good luck to you!

raincitynurse · Feb 21, 2012

pdilla:

thank you so very much for your reply and answering all my questions! i have decided that the best route is applying directly for my california license. you and myrn19 have been most helpful! i hope the universe rains good deed sprinkles on you both, you've helped me make a huge decision!

raincity

Condie · Jun 30, 2012

RainCity,

How did it go? I just graduated on June 16th from colorado, and want to return to my home state of California. I paid the $200 to Pearson vue and accidentally said that I wanted Colorado state licensure, so i think I have to call and get that changed to California, but I wonder if it's faster to take it in Colorado? then transfer my license to Ca. or is that too much money wasted if I'm not going to work in colorado?

Did you get an interim Permit? I have an interview with a good lead into a possible job in L&D in california and they want me to have at least an interim Permit to start-

any thoughts?

kn_absn · Aug 3, 2012

Hi Condie!

I was wondering how it is going for you to sit for the NCLEX in California rather than Colorado? Also, how did the interview with L&D in CA go?

I am in a similar situation, but from AZ and wanting to take the NCLEX in CA. I am most likely going to apply to do it in CA but I am curious how long it will take and if anyone knows more information on that.

Thanks!

maqer · Apr 9, 2013

Hi everyone,

Noticed this thread hasn't been updated in awhile but I hope that you can help me and update on your experiences kn_absn and RainCityNurse. I'm in a similar situation, getting my education/degree in another state but plan to move home back in CA for licensure. I'm just curious to see how long it took you to get licensed. I have a dilemma of whether or not I should just get licensed in the state I'm in right now and then apply for licensure by endorsement for CA, or just go back to CA and go through the process there. My main goal is to just take the NCLEX and get licensed to practice in CA as quickly as possible. Hope you still check the forums!

chot2011 · Apr 9, 2013

Hi Maqer,

I finished a 2nd degree nursing program out of state in December. California wanted all of my transcripts, to show that I both completed nursing school and filled the pre-requisites such as microbiology, anatomy, etc. I ordered the paper fingerprint card about 6 weeks before graduating, got them 2 weeks later, and the card was included in the packet my school sent with my completed application. It took about 6 weeks from finishing nursing school to getting my ATT to take the NCLEX for CA (other states are faster, CA is known for taking a long time). You will need to send the CA board all of your transcripts no matter what, so I'd say might as well apply first for CA rather than submit paperwork to two boards.

I did run into one important snag- my school sent my application as one packet, and the packet included my official school transcript. The CA nursing board thought I'd personally sent the packet, rather than me turning in my portion to my school and the school sending it. Since they thought I sent it they did not count my school's transcript, since transcripts must come directly from the school and not through the student. The CA board sent me a paper letter to let me know they didn't receive the transcript, but after I called the board and explained the packet was sent by the school the board accepted it.

Hope this helps and good luck!!