Trying to get California license need help

Nurses Career Support

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Specializes in BSN, RN.

Hello all. I've been trying to get all of my paperwork together for my California license by endorsement. There's a section there that states the Current state in which I hold my license (New York) board of nursing has to fill out that section .does anyone have any experience with this? Do I have to contact the New York board of nursing and mail them my paperwork just so they can fill out that one section?

thank you!

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There seems to be a lot of confusion about the California process. I'm hoping this article will provide guidance.

The instructions for licensure by endorsement are on the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) website under

Licensure by Endorsement

You must click on the BLUE BOX about halfway down the page that says Click to download application packet.” Wait for the PDF to download. You must carefully read all the instructions in this download!

You can apply in 2 ways:

1. Apply online

2. OR print out the application forms and fill them in, then mail to BRN

Generally, applying online should save some time.

Fingerprints – you can get these in 2 ways:

1. Livescan

2. OR print out the fingerprint cards and have your fingerprint taken manually.

Livescan is supposed to save some time, so if you can easily come to California for that, then try doing that.

Here is list of authorized sites for California RN livescan:

Live Scan Locations | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General

How long will it take to get my Calif RN license by endorsement?

10 to 12 weeks. Don't feel bad, it takes the same time for Calif residents.

At the same time you apply for your RN license, you can request a temp RN license, which takes 8 to 10 weeks.

If you are the spouse or partner of active duty military, or you are a veteran (honorably discharged from the US military), you can request expedited processing. I don't know how much time that saves.

Here is the link to see the current processing times for applications:

Processing Times

Remember to check the Breeze system regularly for your application status and to see if there are any issues.

It can be difficult to get hold of anyone at the BRN. I used the email system within Breeze and got quick action. Some people have reported success in contacting the California Nurses Association or American Nurses Association California to get help. Or their Calif State Rep. Some people have also reported going to the BRN in person.

This can seem overwhelming and confusing, I know. If possible you can check with your school career services or your academic advisor for help. Or have someone you trust help you read the instructions and review your application. Hope this helps!

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Specializes in BSN, RN.

Thank you for your reply! I was wondering about page 12 of the application(if I'm not mistaken) there is a section there that that's that the current nursing state in which you are licensed has to fill out that section for you, before all of the paperwork and the packet gets mailed or faxed to the California board of nursing for the application. My question is how do I go about giving my packet for the New York State board to fill out? Do I mail it or fax it to them?

Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in BSN, RN.
There seems to be a lot of confusion about the California process. I'm hoping this article will provide guidance.

The instructions for licensure by endorsement are on the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) website under

Licensure by Endorsement

You must click on the BLUE BOX about halfway down the page that says Click to download application packet.” Wait for the PDF to download. You must carefully read all the instructions in this download!

You can apply in 2 ways:

1. Apply online

2. OR print out the application forms and fill them in, then mail to BRN

Generally, applying online should save some time.

Fingerprints – you can get these in 2 ways:

1. Livescan

2. OR print out the fingerprint cards and have your fingerprint taken manually.

Livescan is supposed to save some time, so if you can easily come to California for that, then try doing that.

Here is list of authorized sites for California RN livescan:

Live Scan Locations | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General

How long will it take to get my Calif RN license by endorsement?

10 to 12 weeks. Don't feel bad, it takes the same time for Calif residents.

At the same time you apply for your RN license, you can request a temp RN license, which takes 8 to 10 weeks.

If you are the spouse or partner of active duty military, or you are a veteran (honorably discharged from the US military), you can request expedited processing. I don't know how much time that saves.

Here is the link to see the current processing times for applications:

Processing Times

Remember to check the Breeze system regularly for your application status and to see if there are any issues.

It can be difficult to get hold of anyone at the BRN. I used the email system within Breeze and got quick action. Some people have reported success in contacting the California Nurses Association or American Nurses Association California to get help. Or their Calif State Rep. Some people have also reported going to the BRN in person.

This can seem overwhelming and confusing, I know. If possible you can check with your school career services or your academic advisor for help. Or have someone you trust help you read the instructions and review your application. Hope this helps!

Thank you for your reply! I was wondering about page 12 of the application(if I'm not mistaken) there is a section there that that's that the current nursing state in which you are licensed has to fill out that section for you, before all of the paperwork and the packet gets mailed or faxed to the California board of nursing for the application. My question is how do I go about giving my packet for the New York State board to fill out? Do I mail it or fax it to them?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in BSN, RN.
There seems to be a lot of confusion about the California process. I'm hoping this article will provide guidance.

The instructions for licensure by endorsement are on the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) website under

Licensure by Endorsement

You must click on the BLUE BOX about halfway down the page that says Click to download application packet.” Wait for the PDF to download. You must carefully read all the instructions in this download!

You can apply in 2 ways:

1. Apply online

2. OR print out the application forms and fill them in, then mail to BRN

Generally, applying online should save some time.

Fingerprints – you can get these in 2 ways:

1. Livescan

2. OR print out the fingerprint cards and have your fingerprint taken manually.

Livescan is supposed to save some time, so if you can easily come to California for that, then try doing that.

Here is list of authorized sites for California RN livescan:

Live Scan Locations | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General

How long will it take to get my Calif RN license by endorsement?

10 to 12 weeks. Don't feel bad, it takes the same time for Calif residents.

At the same time you apply for your RN license, you can request a temp RN license, which takes 8 to 10 weeks.

If you are the spouse or partner of active duty military, or you are a veteran (honorably discharged from the US military), you can request expedited processing. I don't know how much time that saves.

Here is the link to see the current processing times for applications:

Processing Times

Remember to check the Breeze system regularly for your application status and to see if there are any issues.

It can be difficult to get hold of anyone at the BRN. I used the email system within Breeze and got quick action. Some people have reported success in contacting the California Nurses Association or American Nurses Association California to get help. Or their Calif State Rep. Some people have also reported going to the BRN in person.

This can seem overwhelming and confusing, I know. If possible you can check with your school career services or your academic advisor for help. Or have someone you trust help you read the instructions and review your application. Hope this helps!

section that states***

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The instructions on the printed form say to mail it to your BON in the state where you are licensed. OR you can use nursys.com if your state participates in that system. I used nursys.com

You can call your current state BON if you are not sure

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I did the online application and I think it is faster that way Good luck

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Specializes in BSN, RN.
I did the online application and I think it is faster that way Good luck

thank you for the response! So if I use Nursys then I don't have to send anything in to my BON. I live in New York and that is where I got licensed. I'm just confused if I send in a paper copy of that can't it get lost/ the BON May never receive it? And also I thought California BON wanted the full packet together to be sent in so it would be strange to send just one paper for the BON to sign?

thank you! What is the link to the online app?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
thank you for the response! So if I use Nursys then I don't have to send anything in to my BON. I live in New York and that is where I got licensed. I'm just confused if I send in a paper copy of that can't it get lost/ the BON May never receive it? And also I thought California BON wanted the full packet together to be sent in so it would be strange to send just one paper for the BON to sign?

thank you! What is the link to the online app?

I used Nursys and didn't have any issues. The online application is right on the California BRN website. It is very clear - press the "online application" button on the website page. I don't know how you can miss it. You have to read the fine print on the website and the application very carefully.

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