Registered Nurse · Licensing Roadmap
New York RN to California RN License Requirements
Explore licensing pathways, application requirements, fees, fingerprinting, license verification, and compact considerations.
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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
- endorsement
Current active RN license in another state, U.S. territory, or Canada
To determine which option applies: Proof of current RN license
Source 1 ↗ - endorsement
Completed an educational program meeting California requirements
To determine which option applies: Official transcripts and program record
Source 1 ↗ - endorsement
Passed NCLEX-RN or SBTPE
To determine which option applies: Exam history
Source 1 ↗ - endorsement
If qualifications are missing, endorsement is unavailable
To determine which option applies: Exam and education status
Source 1 ↗ - coursework_exemption
At least 2 consecutive years since initial licensure actively practicing in good standing
To determine which option applies: Practice dates and discipline history
Source 1 ↗ Source 2 ↗ - coursework_exemption
Completed anatomy, physiology, and microbiology coursework
To determine which option applies: The evidence for this pathway condition needs confirmation.
- coursework_exemption
Verification of licensure in the other jurisdiction
To determine which option applies: The evidence for this pathway condition needs confirmation.
- coursework_exemption
No probation, suspension, public reprimand, censure, or reproval during the qualifying period
To determine which option applies: Discipline history
Source 1 ↗
View source
Government fees †
Official evidence confirms only that application fees are paid by valid credit card and that the coursework-exemption form has no payment associated with it. Could not confirm dollar amounts for the endorsement application, verification, fingerprints, or temporary license from the available official evidence.
Fee breakdown
- application_fee — Amount needs confirmation
RN endorsement
- verification_fee — Amount needs confirmation
RN endorsement
- fingerprint_fee — Amount needs confirmation
RN endorsement
- temporary_license_fee — Amount needs confirmation
if temporary license requested
- coursework_exemption_submission_fee — Amount needs confirmation
if requesting exemption
Source 1 ↗
Processing time †
The coursework-exemption form review is stated to take approximately two weeks. Nursys verifications expire 90 days from request. Applicants can check progress in BreEZe or the Application Status and Details portal. Could not confirm overall time to licensure.
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 †
The BRN recommends applying online in BreEZe. Steps shown are: register for a BreEZe account, select RN Endorsement, attach documents, and pay with a valid credit card. All applicants must submit fingerprints, a Verification of License form or Nursys verification if the other board participates, and any conviction or discipline explanations if applicable. A temporary license is optional.
Requirements checklist
- current_active_out_of_state_RN_license — Required
endorsement
Source 1 ↗ - education_meeting_California_requirements — Required
endorsement
Source 1 ↗ - NCLEX_RN_or_SBTPE_passage — Required
endorsement
Source 1 ↗ - apply_by_examination_if_not_qualified — May apply
endorsement qualifications not met
Source 1 ↗ - BreEZe_account_and_RN_Endorsement_selection — Required
online application
Source 1 ↗ Source 2 ↗ - pay_application_fees_by_credit_card — Required
online application
Source 1 ↗ - fingerprints_Live_Scan_or_Hard_Card — Required
all applicants
Source 1 ↗ - license_verification_or_Nursys — Required
all applicants
Source 1 ↗ - Nursys_verification_expires_90_days — May apply
if using Nursys
Source 1 ↗ - conviction_or_discipline_explanations — May apply
if applicable
Source 1 ↗ - temporary_license_optional — May apply
if applicant wants to begin work pending permanent license
Source 1 ↗ - all_college_transcripts — Needs confirmation
endorsement education review
- out_of_state_transcripts_electronic_or_school — May apply
if attended a nursing program in another State
Source 1 ↗ - coursework_exemption_attestation_form — May apply
if requesting exemption
Source 1 ↗ - coursework_exemption_two_year_active_good_standing — May apply
if requesting exemption
Source 1 ↗ - coursework_exemption_anatomy_physiology_microbiology_transcript — Needs confirmation
if requesting exemption
- coursework_exemption_license_verification — Needs confirmation
if requesting exemption
View source
License verification †
Verification of licensure is required. Use the Verification of License form or Nursys Verification Application if the other board participates in Nursys. International graduates must also submit verification from the board where the examination was taken. Nursys verifications expire 90 days from the request date.
View source
Fingerprinting and background checks †
Fingerprinting is required for all applicants using Live Scan or fingerprint card processing. If applicable, applicants must submit documents and/or letters explaining prior convictions or disciplinary action and attesting to rehabilitation. Could not confirm any further California background-check detail from the available official evidence.
View source
Education and transcripts †
Endorsement requires an educational program meeting all California requirements. Transcripts are required from all colleges attended for nursing degree courses and general education. A separate coursework exemption may apply only if the applicant has completed anatomy, physiology, and microbiology coursework, has at least two consecutive years of active practice in good standing since initial licensure, and provides verification of licensure in the other jurisdiction.
Documents to prepare †
Required documents shown include transcripts, fingerprints, verification of license or Nursys verification, and any conviction or discipline explanations if applicable. For the coursework exemption, submit the attestation form through BreEZe or by mail if upload is unavailable. International-only forms are mentioned but are not shown as applicable here.
Responsible agency
The licensing agency is the California Board of Registered Nursing.
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
- Government fees
No official dollar amounts were supplied for the RN endorsement pathway fees in the available official evidence.
- Processing time
No official overall time to licensure was supplied.
- 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.