Transferring license to California - Which method??

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Specializes in Pediatric Primary Care.

Hey guys! I'm hoping for some guidance or suggestions. I'm going to hopefully be moving to CA soon, so I've begun looking into transferring over my nursing licenses. I have an expired RN license from several years ago, so hopefully that'll be fairly easy to renew - fingerprint cards, fees, waiting...

But... of course, the NP license is a whole other ballgame. I'm currently licensed in NC as a PNP and have my national certification with PNCB. I'm torn, though. I see there are 3 options as to how to renew - looks like I'd be using method 2 (non-CA based program) or via equivalency (method 3). The problem with #3 is an NP and an MD have to sign off, proving that I'm an NP, qualified, etc.. I don't work with any other NPs right now, but I think one I used to work with would be able to sign off. BUUUUT... the MD I work for has no idea I'm looking for other jobs/moving.. unless I tell him now ?

Would it be worth it to use option 3? Is it quicker? It'd be worth it if it expedited the process, but I don't want to let him know months and months ahead of time that I'll be moving.. and have that terrible awkwardness in the office.

I guess, just any thoughts on if licensing via endorsement is that much quicker, or if I could play it safe and just apply with option 2?

Also, if anyone has experience with applying for your NP AND RN license at the same time? I've seen some other threads hint to that they did both at the same time, but I'd hate to wait the 10-12 weeks for one, then start the process all over for the other.

Thanks !!!

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

Option #2 is your best bet. I don't think you qualify for #3 and frankly I'm not sure how that even works. It seems like an option for those NP's trained overseas or whose educational preparation were years before we had graduate programs for NP's. It takes a long time for California to process applications and the website does give an idea of their processing times. Yes, you could send applications for RN and NP together. Know that the NPF license is also another separate part of the application process.

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Specializes in Pediatric Primary Care.

Ah, awesome. Well, I'm glad it seems like a bit of a more straightforward answer than I was initially expecting. And yeah, I did see that about the NPF. I'll just send in all 3 at once.

Thank you so much!

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Specializes in Pediatric Primary Care.

juan de la cruz (or anyone else out there who knows about this process!):

I was hoping you might be able to help me again?? I'm finalizing applying for my CA NP. My RN license is reactivated, yay!

1) On the online application, it asks "Did you obtain certification by a national organization/association whose standards are equivalent to those set forth in the California Code of Regulations Section 1484?" I went to school out of state, and I read through the 1484 regulations..but I have no idea if my school conforms to all of those! I went to a well-known university (Vanderbilt), so I'm guessing so...? But I'd hate to put "yes" and be wrong. Any ideas on how to find this out?

Thanks!

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
6 minutes ago, etoile88 said:

juan de la cruz (or anyone else out there who knows about this process!):

I was hoping you might be able to help me again?? I'm finalizing applying for my CA NP. My RN license is reactivated, yay!

1) On the online application, it asks "Did you obtain certification by a national organization/association whose standards are equivalent to those set forth in the California Code of Regulations Section 1484?" I went to school out of state, and I read through the 1484 regulations..but I have no idea if my school conforms to all of those! I went to a well-known university (Vanderbilt), so I'm guessing so...? But I'd hate to put "yes" and be wrong. Any ideas on how to find this out?

Thanks!

You absolutely should say yes if you received certification from either AANP, ANCC, AACN, PNCB, or NCC. That's what that question is asking. California approves in-state NP programs individually and grads of those schools don't have to take national certification to be licensed. You will need verification of that certification. Your NP program will be accepted regardless as long as you're nationally certified. I have a co-worker who is a Vanderbilt grad who is an amazing NP.

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).

Also, you need to get your CA Furnishing number

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Specializes in Pediatric Primary Care.

Ahhh, awesome. That makes so much more sense. Thank you! Such a big help.

And yes, did you guys get your furnishing number at the same time, or closer to when you were getting a job? Or is it best to just do it all at one?

Ughhh so I realized (I was a travel nurse so I had like 7 RN licenses at one point) that I forgot to list one of my expired licenses under the non-CA RN license section. There's probably no way to know, but do you think that'll be a huge deal, as in reject my application or something??

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).

I did everything at the same time. If I recall correctly, you may have to watch a video or something to get the furnishing. You can do this for free through the CANP website

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Specializes in Pediatric Primary Care.

Oh okay cool, I'm glad it doesn't seem too difficult.

Thank you !!

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Specializes in Pediatric Primary Care.

For the furnishing number (man, $400??), since I graduated from my nursing program less than 5 years ago, do you think I meet the requirements to skip like..proving the classes I took, and all that? It also asks for my NP license #; do you think I can just skip that, or should I wait until I get my NP #?

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

You still need to have your school fill out the form. Skip the box that asks for an NP license. Get this done now because after the 5 year limit, you would have to provide additional documentation. Be aware that the Furnishing License is two-fold, if you are not going to prescribe schedule drugs then you are fine with just doing the online application and having your school send the form.

If you need to prescribe controlled substances, make sure your Pharmacology course included content on prescribing controlled substances. That is what the question on the bottom of the form is asking for (the one right above the signature line). Some out of state programs do not specifically address this. You also need to send your DEA cert. Welcome to California and our rules, lol.

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Specializes in Pediatric Primary Care.

Hehe, hip hip hooray! Okay, cool... what if I don't know yet what job I'll get, to know if I'll want to or need to prescribe scheduled drugs? Haha this is so intense! Every state is so different..

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