Registered Nurse · Licensing Roadmap
New York RN to California RN License Requirements
Explore licensing pathways, application requirements, fees, fingerprinting, license verification, and compact considerations.
Last researched
Research is temporarily unavailable
We could not confirm these requirements right now. Please try again later or contact our licensing team.
Source-linked, AI-organized research. Confirm your requirements with the licensing board. This guide does not verify your license or determine eligibility.
Likely pathway †
Pathway conditions to check
- licensure_by_endorsement
Must hold a current and active RN license in another state, U.S. territory, or Canada.
To determine which option applies: Identify issuing jurisdiction; confirm license status is current and active.
Source 1 ↗ - licensure_by_endorsement
Must have completed an educational program meeting all California requirements.
To determine which option applies: Confirm your RN education meets California requirements (details not provided in the snippet).
Source 1 ↗ - licensure_by_endorsement
Must have passed NCLEX-RN or SBTPE; Canadian Comprehensive Examination not acceptable.
To determine which option applies: Confirm exam(s) taken and results (NCLEX-RN vs SBTPE vs Canadian).
Source 1 ↗ Source 2 ↗ - licensure_by_endorsement
If you have not taken and passed the RN exam in any state, you will not be issued an endorsement license in CA.
To determine which option applies: Confirm whether you have ever passed the RN exam in any state.
Source 1 ↗ - coursework_exemption_optional_for_out_of_state_applicants
Optional coursework exemption: proof of successful completion of anatomy, physiology, and microbiology coursework (with or without lab) via complete transcript submitted by the school.
To determine which option applies: Whether you are requesting the lab-component removal; provide transcript details.
Source 1 ↗ - coursework_exemption_optional_for_out_of_state_applicants
Optional coursework exemption: at least two years practicing in another U.S. state or territory where licensed.
To determine which option applies: Years of practice and jurisdiction(s) where you were licensed.
Source 1 ↗ - coursework_exemption_optional_for_out_of_state_applicants
Optional coursework exemption: verification of licensure in the other jurisdiction.
To determine which option applies: Whether licensure verification can be obtained for the other jurisdiction(s).
Source 1 ↗
View source
Government fees †
Fees shown in the endorsement fee instructions depend on your application method: - Method 1 (US graduate): “APPLICATION: $350.00” and “TEMPORARY LICENSE (OPTIONAL): $100.00.” - Method 2 (International graduate): “APPLICATION: $750.00” and “TEMPORARY LICENSE (OPTIONAL): $100.00.” - Fingerprint card (if out of state): “$49.00.” - Nursys® verification fee: “The fee…is $30.” Could not confirm which method applies to a NY-licensed US graduate without knowing whether you completed your nursing program in the US vs outside the US/territory.
Fee breakdown
- Fingerprint card (Hard Card) if out of state — Amount needs confirmation
When using fingerprint card (Hard Card)
- Endorsement application fee - Method 1 (US graduate) — Amount needs confirmation
Method 1
- Endorsement application fee - Method 2 (International graduate) — Amount needs confirmation
Method 2
- Temporary license (optional) — Amount needs confirmation
If applying for temporary license
- Nursys® license verification fee — $30.00
When using Nursys® verification request method
Source 1 ↗
View source
Processing time †
The provided official evidence does not confirm a general endorsement processing time. It does state: “Once submitted successfully, please allow approximately two weeks for review of your exemption form.” Also, “There may be a delay” if the application/fingerprint results indicate prior conviction(s) or other basis for denial.
Compact considerations †
If you hold an active multistate RN license, keep your primary residence in its issuing compact state, and retain valid practice privileges. The available evidence did not confirm current NLC participation for California. Do not assume that a multistate license authorizes practice there; confirm with the board.
View source
Application requirements †
Endorsement application (recommended online): 1) Register for a BreEZe account. 2) Select “RN Endorsement” on the BreEZe homepage. 3) Attach documents at the end of the application process. 4) Pay application fees with a valid credit card. All applicants must submit: (a) fingerprints via Live Scan or Hard Card (the packet does not include the form), and (b) a “Verification of License” form or Nursys® Verification Application if your board participates; Nursys® verifications expire after 90 days and must not be requested before submission. Temporary license is optional; you may apply online to begin work pending permanent issuance.
Requirements checklist
- Current and active RN license in another state/U.S. territory/Canada — Required
Licensure by endorsement (reciprocity) into California
Source 1 ↗ - Educational program meeting all California requirements — Required
Licensure by endorsement
Source 1 ↗ - Passed NCLEX-RN or SBTPE — Required
Licensure by endorsement
Source 1 ↗ - Canadian Comprehensive Examination not acceptable — Required
Licensure by endorsement
Source 1 ↗ - If no RN exam taken/passed in any state, no endorsement license in CA — May apply
Licensure by endorsement
Source 1 ↗ - BreEZe online application steps — Required
Application
Source 1 ↗ Source 2 ↗ Source 3 ↗ Source 4 ↗ - Fingerprints (Live Scan or Hard Card); packet does not include fingerprint form — Required
Application
Source 1 ↗ Source 2 ↗ - Verification of License form or Nursys® Verification Application (if participating) — Required
Application
Source 1 ↗ - Nursys® verification request timing (do not request before submission; expires 90 days — May apply
Verification
Source 1 ↗ Source 2 ↗ - If applicable: documents/letters explaining prior convictions or disciplinary action and attesting to rehabilitation — May apply
Application if applicable
Source 1 ↗ - Temporary license (optional) valid 6 months; fingerprint results must be processed before issuance — May apply
Application if applying for temporary license
Source 1 ↗ Source 2 ↗ - Submit transcripts directly from school; electronic/email rules for CA vs out-of-state; mail for international — Required
Documents
Source 1 ↗ Source 2 ↗ Source 3 ↗ Source 4 ↗
License verification †
Verification items for endorsement: - Completed “Verification of License” form OR Nursys® Verification Application (if your board participates). - Nursys® verifications expire “90 days from the date of request” and you are told not to request Nursys® verification prior to submitting the endorsement application. - International graduates must also submit a “Verification of License” form from the board where the examination was taken. Fingerprint processing is used for a criminal history record check, and the Board must receive/process fingerprint results before temporary issuance.
Fingerprinting and background checks
Fingerprint requirement is mandatory for all applicants for a criminal history record check. As of July 1, 2020, applicants are “no longer be asked about prior criminal conviction history”; criminal history is “discovered upon receipt of fingerprint results,” and applicants with a history of criminal conviction are referred for “an additional Enforcement Division review.”
View source
Education and transcripts
Endorsement eligibility includes completing “an educational program meeting all California requirements.” For an out-of-state coursework exemption (to remove a lab component), evidence includes: “Proof of successful completion of anatomy, physiology, and microbiology…must be provided…via a complete transcript, submitted by the school,” plus “At least two years practicing in another US state or territory,” plus “Verification of licensure in the other jurisdiction.”
Documents to prepare
Transcripts: - Graduating California students: programs submit transcripts “electronically.” - Out of state nursing programs: transcripts may be sent electronically by approved vendors or directly from school; electronic transcripts must be sent to “eTranscripts.BRN@dca.ca.gov.” - International nursing programs: official transcripts must be sent “by mail.” Endorsement document list in the fee/app instructions includes: fingerprints (Live Scan or Hard Card); “Verification of License” form or Nursys® verification; if applicable, documents/letters explaining prior convictions or disciplinary action and attesting to rehabilitation. If coursework exemption is requested, you upload a “Coursework Exemption Attestation Form.”
Responsible agency †
The California BRN endorsement instructions state applicants should apply online and use BreEZe (“Register for a BreEZe account”). The evidence also includes transcript submission routes (electronic vendor to “eTranscripts.BRN@dca.ca.gov” or by mail for international programs) and that Live Scan forms/Hard Card are not included in the application packet and must be requested via Fingerprint Information.
Some details in marked sections could not be confirmed. The text explains what remains uncertain; confirm those details with the licensing board before applying.
Details still to confirm
- Likely pathway
Only licensure by endorsement eligibility gates are evidenced. No alternative CA pathways for non-endorsement applicants were provided in the available official snippets.
- Application requirements
General BreEZe steps are evidenced, but the evidence does not enumerate all screen-by-screen or every attached form name/field. Linked “Online RN Endorsement Application Instructions” content beyond the extracted excerpts is not fully evidenced.
- License verification
Evidence confirms the verification methods and Nursys timing, but does not state verification submission deadlines or exactly when it must arrive relative to fingerprints in all cases.
- Government fees
The evidence provides method-based application amounts, but does not state which method applies to your specific situation unless program location (US vs outside US/territory) is known. The evidence also does not provide a Live Scan operator fee amount to the applicant.
- Processing time
No general endorsement processing/issuance timeline is provided in the official excerpts; only exemption review timing and conditional temporary delays are evidenced.
- Compact considerations
Current destination-state compact participation was not confirmed by the validated evidence. Confirm participation, your license type and primary residence before relying on multistate privileges.
- Responsible agency
Evidence does not provide all contact details or addresses for sending paper items beyond transcript delivery method/email.