The path to becoming a Registered Nurse in California is governed by standards established by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). The state faces a high demand for qualified nursing professionals, making the RN license a valuable credential. Navigating the licensing process requires careful attention to educational prerequisites, application logistics, and administrative requirements.
Meeting the Educational Requirements
The initial step toward licensure involves completing an approved nursing education program that meets the BRN’s standards. Students may choose from several distinct pathways, all providing the necessary theoretical and clinical instruction. The program must be approved by the BRN, or an equivalent state board if located outside of California, to qualify a graduate for the examination.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is typically a two-to-three-year program offered through community colleges. It remains a common entry point for registered nursing practice. ADN programs prepare students for the full scope of generalist nursing practice in various clinical settings. Graduates are fully eligible to apply for the licensing examination in California.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a four-year university degree that includes a broader curriculum encompassing research, leadership, and community health concepts. While the ADN qualifies a candidate for licensure, the BSN is increasingly preferred by many healthcare employers, particularly in large hospital systems. The BSN curriculum provides a comprehensive foundation for career advancement into administrative or specialized roles.
Vocational Nurse (LVN) to RN Bridge Programs
Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) can advance their careers through bridge programs that grant credit for prior education and experience. California offers a unique 30-Unit Option, allowing LVNs to become eligible for the RN licensing exam after completing specific coursework, usually within 18 to 24 months. This 30-Unit Option does not grant a degree. Most other U.S. states do not recognize it for licensure by endorsement, limiting the nurse’s ability to practice outside of California.
The Official Application Process
The process for new graduates seeking initial licensure begins with submitting an application directly to the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). Applicants use the BRN’s online portal, BreEZe, to complete and submit the Application for Licensure by Examination. This must be done before the candidate can register for the national licensing examination.
The application requires payment of a non-refundable fee, which varies based on whether the nursing program was completed in California or out-of-state. Candidates must also arrange for their official academic transcripts to be sent directly from their nursing school to the BRN. The BRN will not accept transcripts if they are submitted by the applicant or if they are stamped as “issued to student.”
Once the BRN receives the application, fee, and transcripts, staff members review the file to determine the applicant’s eligibility for the examination. This eligibility review is a prerequisite to moving forward with the testing phase.
Taking the NCLEX-RN Examination
After the BRN confirms an applicant has met all prerequisites, it declares the candidate eligible to test and notifies the testing vendor, Pearson VUE. The applicant must then register and pay the examination fee directly to Pearson VUE.
Following registration and payment, Pearson VUE issues an Authorization to Test (ATT) via email, which grants the candidate a window, typically 90 days, to schedule the exam. Candidates cannot schedule an appointment without this required credential. The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is a computerized, adaptive test administered at approved testing centers.
The exam results are reported directly to the BRN. Once the BRN receives a passing score, the license is issued following the final clearance of the mandatory background check. Failing to test within the ATT window requires the candidate to re-register with Pearson VUE and potentially re-apply to the BRN.
Licensing for Out-of-State RNs (Endorsement)
Registered Nurses who hold an active license in another U.S. state, territory, or Canada can apply for a California license through licensure by endorsement. This pathway requires the applicant to verify their original license and demonstrate that their nursing education met California’s specific curriculum requirements. Verification of the current license is typically completed through the Nursys online system, if the original state participates.
Applicants must also prove they completed specific coursework that California mandates, including classes in communication skills and certain natural sciences like anatomy, physiology, and microbiology with laboratory components. Out-of-state nurses who have been practicing in good standing for at least two years may be exempt from having to retake these courses if they can prove they successfully completed the theory component. The endorsement application can be submitted online via BreEZe, and applicants can simultaneously request a temporary license to begin working while the permanent license application is pending review.
Mandatory Background Checks and Fingerprinting
All applicants, whether seeking initial licensure by examination or via endorsement, must submit to a criminal background check performed by the California Department of Justice and the FBI. This is accomplished through the state’s digital fingerprinting system, known as Live Scan. The BRN provides the necessary form, which the applicant takes to an authorized Live Scan vendor within California.
The Live Scan process electronically transmits the fingerprints, which is the fastest method, with results typically reaching the BRN within a few weeks. Applicants residing outside of California may submit their fingerprints using a physical hard card (Form FD-258), though this method generally takes longer to process. The BRN cannot issue a license until the background check has been fully completed and cleared, which is often the longest part of the application timeline.
Maintaining Your California RN License
Once the Registered Nurse license is issued, the nurse must adhere to the Board’s requirements to maintain an active status. The license operates on a renewal cycle, typically required every two years on the last day of the licensee’s birth month. Compliance with the renewal standards ensures the nurse’s continued competency and eligibility to practice.
License renewal requires the completion of 30 contact hours of continuing education (CE) during the preceding two-year renewal period. These courses must be taken through a provider approved by the BRN. New licensees, within the first two years, must also complete one hour of direct participation in an approved course covering implicit bias. All licensees are responsible for keeping their contact information current with the BRN to receive important renewal notices and compliance updates.