How To Get Registered Nurse License In California

Nursing License Requirements in California

In California, there are two split up licensing agencies for nurses. Vocational Nurses (LVNs) are licensed by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians. Registered Nurses are licensed by the California Board of Registered Nursing. California has 385,663 licensed RNs and 87,701 LVNs.

California is non a Nursing Licensure Compact state.

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Nurses at both levels take NCLEX exams. NCLEX results are listed past school and can be accessed through the Board sites: vocational (http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/applicants/schools/alphabetize.shtml#passrates) and RN (http://world wide web.rn.ca.gov/education/passrates.shtml). The RN application bundle includes a list of NCLEX prep resources (http://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/applicants/exam-app.pdf). The Board lists many, but does not endorse item ones.

If a nurse has already gone through the licensing procedure in another jurisdiction, the candidate may be eligible for licensure by endorsement. A nurse who has passed an acceptable exam will not need to get through the examination process again. California is not, however, a member of the nurse compact.

California's Health Professions Teaching Foundation offers scholarship assistance or loan repayment to some qualified LVNs and RNs. Data almost this plan, as well as national programs that help nursing students, is bachelor on the site of the California Board of Registered Nursing (http://www.rn.ca.gov/careers/fiscal-aid.shtml).

An additional resource for learning about the requirements to become a nurse in California is the American Nurses Association – California (http://www.anacalifornia.org).

LVN License Requirements in California

LVN Education Requirements

Prospective LVNs complete twelfth grade instruction or equivalency, and so (in most cases) attend state approved nursing programs. Graduates of programs canonical in other states are eligible for licensure equally are individuals who complete equivalent educational activity and training while in the military. In that location is an additional pathway for candidates who have done bedside nursing and completed training that is considered equivalent.

Come across: LVN programs in California

The Lath has issued a warning, though, that schools that are not approved to teach nursing within the state do sometimes merits approval condition; if a student opts for a school that is misrepresenting itself in this fashion, he will not be eligible for licensure. A list of approved California LVN programs can exist found on the Board site (http://world wide web.bvnpt.ca.gov/applicants/schools/index.shtml#schools). Nursing schools are required to provide their NCLEX pass rates; this information is also available. The Board recommends that candidates give thorough consideration to program quality before enrolling.

Read more than about selecting an LVN program in the article "Choosing an LVN Program in California".

Application Process

Fingerprinting is an additional requirement for licensing. Candidates residing in California utilize a Live Scan procedure. They should exist prepared to pay $49 at the fingerprinting site. There is a form bachelor for download on the Board site. Application forms are available on the aforementioned page (http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/applicants/). As part of the application process, candidates must verify their loftier schoolhouse education or equivalency.

Applicants must pay $150 to the California Lath for application processing and $200 to Pearson to take the NCLEX-PN licensing test. California must corroborate candidates before they can be authorized to test. The exam is computerized and can exist scheduled at any testing site, either in California or another state (http://world wide web.pearsonvue.com/nclex/). A candidate who does not pass is eligible to retake after 45 days but must again pay Pearson and the California Board.

Graduates of California programs may work nether an interim let while waiting to take the licensing examination.

Out of Land LVN Applicants

Out of country candidates must meet similar requirements, only the procedure is slightly different. They will demand to verify their license status using a newspaper form or an online organisation. They should send $199 to cover the awarding and fingerprinting procedure (http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/applicants/application_for_vocational_nurse_licensure_by_endorsement.shtml).

Candidates who initiate the fingerprinting process while residing outside California will not exist able to utilize the Live Scan fingerprinting and volition use cards instead.

Strange applicants are too eligible for licensure by endorsement, provided they take the NCLEX (or took its predecessor in an earlier time).

RN License Requirements in California

RN Educational activity Requirements

A prospective RN should enroll in an approved program in professional nursing. A list of programs that have been approved inside California can be constitute on the RN site (http://www.rn.ca.gov/educational activity/index.shtml).

Awarding Process and NCLEX-RN Test

The application process has several steps, just some may be completed in advance. Candidates must have a criminal groundwork cheque. California residents are mostly required to use Live Scan for their fingerprinting, though Alive Browse exemptions are sometimes granted. A 2″ past 2″ photograph must also be included with the application materials. Nigh application materials are found in the PDF packet on the licensing page (http://www.rn.ca.gov/applicants/lic-exam.shtml). Candidates may need to follow the link to the requests page to get fingerprinting materials.

Candidates who have met the fingerprint requirement but have not nonetheless taken the licensing examination may piece of work under an interim permit. The cost to apply for RN past exam is $150 (http://www.rn.ca.gov/consumers/fees.shtml#app). An acting permit or temporary license costs an additional $50. The examination itself costs $200, payable to Pearson.

Candidates who neglect an examination attempt will need to re-utilise to the California Board and pay an additional fee.

Out of Country RN Candidates

Both out-of-state and internationally licensed nurses are considered for California licensure. If a nurse is currently licensed and has already taken the required test, the procedure is called endorsement. The candidate should provide verification from the country in which he originally passed the license test in addition to the one where he is currently licensed.

The Lath notes that Excelsior graduates are subject to the same requirements as other out-of-country applicants. Anyone who enrolled in a program from December half dozen, 2003 on has been required to have supervised clinical practice, obtained concurrently with nursing theory.

Out-of-state candidates are not required to use Live Scan for fingerprinting, but should be enlightened that if they opt for a fingerprint card in lieu of Alive Browse, an additional fee will be assessed past the Board.

Application packets are available on the Board site (http://world wide web.rn.ca.gov/applicants/lic-finish.shtml). In virtually cases, endorsement candidates may utilise online. A temporary license may be issued for an additional $fifty; this allows the nurse to work while materials are beingness processed. Criminal groundwork information must be received before any license, including a temporary 1, tin can be issued. If the background cheque has been completed beforehand, a candidate can hand carry materials to the Lath function to expedite the issuance of a temporary license (http://world wide web.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/applicants/tlcounter.pdf).

The licensure process is, past police force, expedited for any eligible candidate who is the spouse or domestic partner of a member of the military on active duty in California. Applicants should attach a copy of their marriage certificate, evidence of legal matrimony, or certified annunciation of domestic partnership. A copy of military orders should also be included.

International candidates should send their school a form titled "Breakdown of Educational Plan for International Nursing Programs" in addition to the transcript request. If the transcript is not in English, information technology must be translated by a professional translator. The necessary forms are available in the endorsement bundle, along with detailed instructions.

International candidates must take and pass the NCLEX. Canadian candidates who took a pre-1980 licensing exam may be exempted. The Lath notes that the Canadian Comprehensive Test does not substitute for the NCLEX-RN.

Out-of-state nurses are eligible to work under a temporary license. International candidates from not-English language speaking nations must present TOEFL scores if they wish to piece of work nether an interim permit while waiting to accept the NCLEX-RN exam.