Requirements for Initial Registered Nurse License Via Endorsement

International Graduate:

  1. Fingerprint submission: Fingerprinting is required for all applicants and licensees for the purpose of conducting a criminal history record check. The fingerprints remain on file with the California Department of Justice (DOJ), who provides reports to the BRN of any future convictions on an ongoing basis (Business and Professions Code section 144). There are two methods available:

    • Method 1 (Live Scan): The Live Scan process is the preferred method as results are received faster (typically within a couple weeks). You do not need to be a California resident in order to complete a Live Scan in California; however, you must complete a Live Scan at a vendor located in California. If you are in California for any reason while awaiting licensure, please consider using the Live Scan process to complete your fingerprint requirement. Please note, the BRN is unable to receive results done for another agency, state, or other purpose.

      Link to Live Scan form: https://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/livescan.pdf

      Link to Live Scan locations in California: https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations

      • Note: Applicants must pay the fee for Live Scan and any applicable rolling fees to the Live Scan vendor directly. All fingerprint fees are non-refundable.

    • Method 2 (Hard Card): This process is not preferred as the DOJ and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) processing times for hard card fingerprints may vary, and on average, take up to 90 days to process. If you are in California for any reason while awaiting licensure, please consider using the Live Scan process to complete your fingerprint requirement. However, if you reside outside of California and cannot access a Live Scan operator in this state prior to licensure, you must use this method.

      • Applicants must pay the $49 processing fee for hard cards to the BRN directly. If you applied via BreEZe your payment included the hard card fingerprint fee ($399 total includes $350 application fee and $49 fingerprint hard card fee). If you did not apply through BreEZe, please submit the $49 processing fee via your BreEZe account under "Hard Card Fingerprint Payment". All fingerprint fees are non-refundable.
      • Once the payment has been submitted, you will need to follow the steps below:
        • 1) Locate a law enforcement agency (LEA) to complete fingerprint hard cards: Contact your local police or Sheriff's Department to inquire about having your fingerprints rolled.
        • 2) Complete one fingerprint hard card (FD-258): Applicants must submit one completed hard card to the BRN. All fields must be completed.
        • 3) Visit the LEA that agreed to complete your fingerprint hard card: Once the LEA has finished rolling your fingerprints, they will return the fingerprint card to you.
        • 4) Submit hard cards to the BRN: After receiving the hard cards back from the LEA, you must submit your fingerprints to the BRN by mail.

      • Note: if a hard card is received without payment being submitted, the hard card will not be processed and will be destroyed. If submitting by mail, you should include a copy of your application summary (if you applied online in BreEZe) to ensure proper and timely processing of your hard cards. Fingerprint hard cards will not be mailed to the DOJ for processing until the full fee payment has been received by the BRN.

  2. Official license verification from Nursys® or a State Board of Nursing, where you hold a current and active RN license. International graduates must submit license verification from the board of nursing where NCLEX was taken. Possession of a current and active license from another state in the United States or from Canada. Please note, if you do not have a current and active license in another state or United States (US) territory, it must be updated prior to submitting your license verification.

    For verification of license from Nursys®, visit www.nursys.com to complete a paperless verification online. Note: the BRN cannot accept the "QuickConfirm" verification.

  3. Transcript(s) submission: The BRN must verify that all licensing requirements are met, including education that is deemed equal to or higher than what is required in California, prior to issuing a license to practice nursing (California Code of Regulations section 1426). The applicant must request that their official transcripts be sent directly from the educational institution(s) to the BRN for verification of all courses required for licensure including prerequisites, corequisites, and nursing specific courses with theory and clinical practice delivered concurrently.

    4. If you attended an education institution(s) in another country, you must have your official transcripts sent to the BRN by mail.

  4. If applicable, documents and/or letters explaining disciplinary action and attesting to your rehabilitation as directed in Section II of the Endorsement Application Fees and Instructions found here: https://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/applicants/end-app.pdf

  5. The following forms completed by the respective agencies. These forms can be found in the Endorsement Application Fees and Instructions found here: https://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/applicants/end-app.pdf
    • "Request for Transcript form" completed by your education institution(s).
    • "Breakdown of Educational Program for International Nursing Programs form" completed by your education institution(s).
    • If your transcript is not in English, please provide the "Certified English Translation form" completed by your certified translator.

  6. Submit a copy of your license or diploma that allows you to practice professional nursing in the country where you were educated. Also, provide copies of your certificates for midwifery and/or psychiatric nursing, if applicable.

  7. International license or diploma verification (Apostille) from Nursing Council or Ministry.

Additional information may be requested upon further review, which will be reflected in your BreEZe account or the Application Status and Details portal. For additional information, please see the "CA RN Licensure Qualifications for Graduates of International Nursing Program" document found here: https://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/education/edp-i-35.pdf

Requirements for Expediting

Abortion Service Expedite:

If you have requested expedited processing of your application in order to provide abortion services. Please note, this request does not mean a license/certification will be issued.

The following documents are required to process this expedited request:

  1. A letter declaring applicant's intent to provide abortion services; and
  2. A letter from an employer or health care entity indicating accepted employment/contract to provide abortion services. The letter must include:
    • Starting date,
    • Location where applicant will be providing abortion services, and
    • A statement that the applicant will be providing abortion services within the scope of practice of their license/certification in accordance with Business and Professions Code sections 2253 and 2725.4, as applicable.

Failure to provide all documentation may result in a delay in expediting the application review.

Asylum Special Visa Expedite:

If you have requested expedited processing of your application as a refugee, asylee, and/or holder of special immigrants’ visas. Please note, this request does not mean a license/certification will be issued.

To receive the expedited processing, you must provide evidence of your refugee, asylee, or special immigrant visa status. The following are examples of the documents that can be provided to process this expedited request:

  1. Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, with an admission class code such as "RE" (Refugee) or "AY" (Asylee) or other information designating the person a refugee or asylee.
  2. Special immigrant visa that includes the classification codes of "SI" or "SQ."
  3. Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), commonly known as a "Green Card," with a category designation indicating that the person was admitted as a refugee or asylee.
  4. An order from a court of competent jurisdiction or other documentary evidence that provides reasonable assurance that the applicant qualifies for expedited licensure.

Failure to provide all documentation may result in a delay in expediting the application review.

Military Spouse Expedite:

If you have requested expedited processing of your application as an active-duty military spouse or partner. Please note, this request does not mean a license/certification will be issued.

The following documents are required to process this expedited request:

  1. Copy of the marriage certificate or certified declaration/registration of domestic partnership filed with the California Secretary of State
  2. Copy of the military orders establishing duty station in California, and
  3. Copy of a current registered nurse license in another state, district, or US territory.

Failure to provide all documentation may result in a delay in expediting the application review.

Military Honorable Discharged:

If you have requested expedited processing of your application as a military member who has been honorably discharged. Please note, this request does not mean a license/certification will be issued.

The following documents are required to process this expedited request:

  1. A copy of the report of separation form: DD 214 Form or Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

Failure to provide all documentation may result in a delay in expediting the application review.