Processing Times

Initial evaluation of an application must be completed within 90 days of receipt of application. (16 CCR § 1410.1.) The processing times below are provided as a general guideline. Although the Board makes every effort to stay within these timeframes, applications are individually evaluated, and processing times can vary based on individual circumstances.

Mandatory processing timeframes are identified in the California Code of Regulations. The timeframes shown below reflect the current, average timeframes the Board is working within.

US and International examination and endorsement applications are processed in date order received. California examination applications are processed by entire cohort after graduation date and in date order of transcript received from the California nursing school.

Applicants

California examination applications: are processed as entire cohort after graduation date and in order of the date transcripts are received from the California nursing school. Initial evaluation of an application must be completed within 90 days of receipt of application. (16 CCR § 1410.1.)

If you apply after the cohort applications are processed your application will default to be processed in date order received.

US and International examination applications: are processed in date order received. Initial evaluation of an application must be completed within 90 days of receipt of application. (16 CCR § 1410.1.)

Licensure by Examination: Mandatory Timeframe: Currently Processing Items Received: (Updated 3/12/2024)
California 10-12 Weeks February 16-29, 2024
US 10-12 Weeks March 1-15, 2024
International 10-12 Weeks February 1-15, 2024
Military 1-2 Weeks March 1-15, 2024
Refugees, Asylees, and Holders of SIVs 1-2 Weeks March 1-15, 2024
NCLEX-RN Results 2-3 Weeks March 1-15, 2024
    If you requested and paid for an Interim Permit, it will be issued within 24-48 hours after your exam application has been approved. Issued IPs can be verified using License Search and via your BreEZe account home page.

Reapply/Repeat examination applications: are processed in date order received.

Reapply/Repeat Examination: Mandatory Timeframe: Currently Processing Items Received: (Updated 3/12/2024)
California 10-12 Weeks March 1-15, 2024
US 10-12 Weeks March 1-15, 2024
International 10-12 Weeks March 1-15, 2024
Military 1-2 Weeks March 1-15, 2024
Refugees, Asylees, and Holders of SIVs 1-2 Weeks March 1-15, 2024

Endorsement applications: are processed in date order received. Initial evaluation of an application must be completed within 90 days of receipt of application. (16 CCR § 1410.1.)

Licensure by Endorsement: Mandatory Timeframe: Currently Processing Items Received: (Updated 3/12/2024)
US 10-12 Weeks February 16-29, 2024
International 10-12 Weeks February 1-15, 2024
Military 1-2 Weeks March 1-15, 2024
Refugees, Asylees, and Holders of SIVs 1-2 Weeks March 1-15, 2024
Temporary License 2-3 Weeks March 1-15, 2024

Certification applications: are processed in date order received. If furnishing applications are received with the parent certification application, they will be processed with the associated certification (NP/NPF & NMW/NMF).

Certifications: Target Timeframe: Currently Processing Items Received: (Updated 3/12/2024)
Nurse Practitioner 4 Weeks (Mandatory Timeframe) March 1-15, 2024
Nurse Practitioner Furnishing 4 Weeks (Mandatory Timeframe) March 1-15, 2024
Nurse-Midwife 10-12 Weeks March 1-15, 2024
Nurse-Midwife Furnishing 10-12 Weeks March 1-15, 2024
Nurse Anesthetist 10-12 Weeks March 1-15, 2024
Clinical Nurse Specialist 10-12 Weeks March 1-15, 2024
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse 10-12 Weeks March 1-15, 2024
Public Health Nurse Certification 4 Weeks (Mandatory Timeframe) March 1-15, 2024

Licensees

*If your license has not been renewed after 72 hours from the time your renewal application and fee have been submitted, your fingerprints may need to be updated, or your fingerprint results may be unmatched in the BreEZe system and require manual intervention. Please contact the fingerprint unit by using the Contact Us page and provide your information and updated live scan information if applicable.

Item Requested Target Timeframe Currently Processing Items Received: (Updated 3/12/2024)
License & Certificate Renewal Online - Within 72 Hours* March 1-15, 2024
By Mail - 6-8 Weeks February 16-29, 2024
8-Year Renewal 4-6 Weeks March 1-15, 2024
Name Change 2-4 Weeks March 1-15, 2024
Inactive to Active Status Online - Within 72 Hours March 1-15, 2024
By Mail - 2-4 Weeks March 1-15, 2024
Duplicate Certificate Online - 1-2 Weeks March 1-15, 2024
By Mail - 2-4 Weeks March 1-15, 2024
Continuing Education Provider Application 8-12 Weeks March 1-15, 2024

Verification of Licensure (Endorsement to Another State or Country): Verifications are processed in date order received. Information for verification requests is gathered from various Board records and systems.

  • Requests for verification of license numbers of 500000 and below must be accessed via the Board’s application records housed on microfilm and will require additional processing time.
  • Requests for verification of license numbers above 500000 are available in electronic format for Board access.
Verifications: Target Timeframe: Currently Processing Items Received: (Updated 3/12/2024)
500000 and below - Microfilm 6-8 Weeks February 1-15, 2024
500000 and above - BreEZe 6-8 Weeks February 1-15, 2024