Question on the NP Furnishing License in Calif

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Feb 2, 2014

Moved to our Nurse Practitioners (NP) forum for best chance advice.

coast2coast · Feb 2, 2014

I called the Board of Nursing in Calif, but have not received an answer. I am applying for a FNP license in Calif. My Advanced Pharmacology course was completed in Spring 2008. Does anyone know if the Calif State Board will accept this course for the Nurse Furnishing License or will they require me to repeat the Advanced Pharmacology course? I have not worked as an FNP. This is my 41st year in Nursing and I recently retired as a nursing professor and plan to work as an FNP. I have always remained active in the clinical area while teaching. I have not worked as an FNP, but completed the Post Master's Certificate 1.5 years ago. I know the Board has the 5 year rule for the Advanced Pharmacology course, but does that mean 60 months or can it be more than 60 months, but less than 6 years? Has anyone had a similiar situation that I am in? Also, does anyone have any recommendations regarding Advanced Phamacology courses to take on line that are accelerated that I can complete sooner than a semester. Any comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated and welcomed.
FNP Florida

a few thoughts ....

Something is very wrong with CA BON staffing right now (more so than usual). So it might be a realllly long time before you hear anything official. Depending on how recently you applied they are saying up to 90 day wait for response.

It it seems like they might require more recent pharm. I know Fitzgerald has review courses and UCLA is advertising their FNP review right now. It's supposed to be a great course, if you are near the area.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Feb 2, 2014

Have you received an NP license endorsement? That's the first step before applying for NPF license. I would try multiple times to get a person on the line. You have an unusual case in that you completed your Advanced Pharmacology course over 5 years ago but never practiced as an NP. The only time the board would accept a pharmacology course over 5 years old is if the NP applicant has practiced including having prescribed (this must be verifiable).

I have a suspicion that since you don't have that NP experience, you are considered a new NP and may be asked to retake Advanced Pharmacology since you took your course over 5 years ago. You may have to take the traditional full semester route. California can be very picky and they do their own verification of any documents you send.

nregnier · Feb 2, 2014

Juan de la cruz,

Thank you very much for your quick response and your comments. No, I have not practiced as an FNP yet, nor do I have a FNP license in any state. I was teaching full time and also working as an RN in Florida when I completed my Post Master's Certificate as an FNP. I have an active Florida State RN license and used to have an active Calif RN license but let it lapse when they required fingerprints. I am actually from Northern Calif, but left the state in 1981, but plan to move back from Florida to Calif. I have a BSN, MSN, and School Health Services Credential from Califorinia State University, Chico. I am going to renew my deliquent Calif RN license since I had my fingerprints scanned in Calif. I just recently went Calif on an interview for a job for an FNP. I will have to reinstate my RN license with the scanned fingerprints, apply for a FNP license (this will be my first FNP license), and also obtain my Furnishing license and my DRE number. I am currently in a state that prohibits NP's and PA's from writing Rx's for any controlled substances. Florida and Alabama are the only two states left that prohibit NP's and PA's for writing Rx's for any controlled substances. I will keep trying to talk to someone on the Board tomorrow. I was told on the Consumer Line that a person at the board had 5 business days to return my phone call, but it has been more than 5 business days. If Iam required to retake the Advanced Pharmacology course I am hoping to find one this following quarter because this semester has already started. I looked up the Governor's College; since it is a college you can take the courses at your own pace; and I thought I could quickly go through the course on line. Unfortunately, the Governor's college requires Advanced Pharmacolgy as a prerequisite prior to applying to their Graduate Program. If anyone is aware of a Advanced Pharmacology course that is scheduled on the quarter system instead of the semester system PLEASE contact me. Thank You. NR FNP

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Feb 2, 2014

Good luck. There will be jobs here for you anyway. There is a need for primary care providers since California seems to be one of the more successful states in terms of building an infrastructure for ACA implementation. Covered California has been well received from what I've witnessed.

jlhovatter · Aug 11, 2016

What did you end up doing? Which university did you retake the class? I am now in the same predicament that you were in a few years ago. I'm scrambling around trying to find a single advanced online pharm class that is approved through CA. I have called and emailed the BRN numerous times with no response. They keep disconnected my calls due to high call volume! So frustrating!!

Goldenfox · Aug 11, 2016

Don't bother calling or writing to the California Board of Nursing about this. You will not receive a reply. Just take the course that they require and fax the completion certificate to them. They will send your furnishing number to you shortly afterwards. They don't accept advanced pharmacology courses from the majority of universities outside of California.

If you are a member of AANP, take a look at their free continuing ed offerings they offer a free 3-hour pharmacology course that the California BON accepts for this purpose. If you are a member of the California association of NPs they offer the course free as well. The ANCC also offers a similar course that the California BON accepts but I'm not sure if theirs is free.