RN Transfer from Florida to California

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jan 7, 2010

In general, once you pass the NCLEX, that's it -- you should be able to transfer your license without retaking the NCLEX. You should browse the CA BON site: http://www.rn.ca.gov/ -- look for anything that talks about licensure by endorsement (rather than examination, because that's the NCLEX).

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2010

You know that it is extremely hard to find and job in California as a new grad, and that it is much more expensive to live there.

PrincessO, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 11, 2010

Its hard to find jobs as a new grad in Florida also.

I am from California and currently living in Florida so I can tell you that California is much bigger then Florida so you will find places that are expensive to live and places comparable to Florida. In terms of cost of living and pay, California is definately a better place to be as a nurse than in Florida. Plus California has unions that protect there nurses...I thought the nurse to pateint ratios was rediculous in California, but it is much worse in Florida...they work you like a dog here and in my opinion it is very unsafe!

:twocents:

Also, if you know for sure that you will go to Cali just take the Cali NCLEX here in Florida.

PrincessO, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 12, 2010

here is a list of states that do not need to transfer liscense. california and florida not included of course!

nurse licensure compact (nlc) states

compact states implementation date arizona 7/1/2002 arkansas 7/1/2000 colorado 10/1/2007 delaware 7/1/2000 idaho 7/1/2001 iowa 7/1/2000kentucky 6/1/2007 maine 7/1/2001 maryland 7/1/1999 mississippi 7/1/2001 nebraska 1/1/2001 new hampshire 1/1/2006 new mexico 1/1/2004 north carolina 7/1/2000 north dakota 1/1/2004 rhode island 7/1/2008 south carolina 2/1/2006 south dakota 1/1/2001 tennessee 7/1/2003 texas 1/1/2000 utah 1/1/2000 virginia 1/1/2005 wisconsin 1/1/2000

if you have questions regarding nlc licensure, please contact your state board of nursing in your primary state of residence for specific requirements. for state board of nursing contact information, please click here.

states pending nlc implementation (these dates could be subject to change)

pending compact states statusmissouri

PrincessO, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 12, 2010

here is a list of states that do not need to transfer liscense. california and florida not included of course!

nurse licensure compact (nlc) states

compact states implementation date arizona 7/1/2002 arkansas 7/1/2000 colorado 10/1/2007 delaware 7/1/2000 idaho 7/1/2001 iowa 7/1/2000kentucky 6/1/2007 maine 7/1/2001 maryland 7/1/1999 mississippi 7/1/2001 nebraska 1/1/2001 new hampshire 1/1/2006 new mexico 1/1/2004 north carolina 7/1/2000 north dakota 1/1/2004 rhode island 7/1/2008 south carolina 2/1/2006 south dakota 1/1/2001 tennessee 7/1/2003 texas 1/1/2000 utah 1/1/2000 virginia 1/1/2005 wisconsin 1/1/2000

if you have questions regarding nlc licensure, please contact your state board of nursing in your primary state of residence for specific requirements. for state board of nursing contact information, please click here.

states pending nlc implementation (these dates could be subject to change)

pending compact states statusmissouri

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2010

I believe that if you read about "compact states". You have to still maintain residence in the original "compact" state while working in the other. And that if you become a resident of a different compact state you do have to get an official license in the new compact state of residence.

Much like drivers licenses. They are recognized for brief periods, visiting, brief assignments in other states and working when you live near a state border. But if you physically relocate elsewhere, you still have to change and reapply for a new state license.

Rshells · Jul 8, 2011

Hi. I was wondering if anyone knows of the steps I need to take if I want to transfer from florida to california. For example after I pass the NCLEX here in florida, what do I need to do if I want to work in california? Would I need to retake the NCLEX in california? I'm not sure what california's standards are.... thank you any help would be greatly appreciated :)

Hey Ashley417, did you figure out how to transfer your RN Florida license to California? I am in nursing school, but I am hoping to move back home to Cali after I finish. I am worried that California will give me a hard time to transfer my license. Any advice would be a great help. Thanks! :)

OlderCareerChange · Sep 11, 2011

Did anyone find out the definitive answer? I'm in the same boat: nursing school in Florida but moving back to California (all my family live there and can provide temporary housing). I looked at the FAQ at the California Board of Nursing Site but didn't see that issue addressed. Thanks again for any info.

tashacorinne · Sep 13, 2011

You can get licensure by endorsement. Look it up on the CA BRN website. The NCLEX is a state-wide recognized test, so you wouldn't need to take it again. I wouldn't recommend coming to CA though, there aren't any jobs here :/

Zaptastic · Sep 13, 2011

Thanks. I know about the endorsement thing, but am wondering if there is any advantage to taking the NCLEX in California if you know you are going to work there eventually. I read all about their requirement of transcripts (including for pre-requisites), etc and wonder which process would be cheaper in the end. Also, my father and uncle are physicians in California and know several places hiring RNs. I know people keep saying there are no jobs, but I have looked into it and am will to move up to the far northern part of the state where most of my family live. I'm not picky and am willing to work in any capacity. People have tried to discourage me from seeking jobs in the past, but I've never had a problem. I'm willing to take the jobs no one else wants.

tashacorinne · Sep 15, 2011

Well, since CA is such a huge state, its hard to find the little jobs in every part of the state. I guess you're lucky in knowing some physicians and looking in the way north of the state. Where I am, LTC and SNFs aren't even hiring new grads, and I thought those were the unwanted jobs...

About taking the NCLEX... if you wanted to save money, I guess you could skip out on all the FL fees to get your RN and just move to CA and pay the CA fees. You would just have to compare the prices on the CA BRN website. If you're in CA, I think you can get a livescan fingerprint instead of doing the fingerprint card (which I think you do if you're out of state). Good luck to you.