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.
For the week of November 20, 2023, we are processing initial applications received during the dates noted below. Contacting the Board for application status while within these timeframes may cause processing delays. We thank you for your patience and cooperation.
Some application types can now be tracked through our Application Status and Details page. For other application types, click here for instructions on checking your status.
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.) |
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|---|---|---|
| Licensure by Examination: | Mandatory Timeframe: | Currently Processing Items Received: (Updated 11/21/2023) |
| California | 10-12 Weeks | October 1-15, 2023 |
| US | 10-12 Weeks | November 1-15, 2023 |
| International | 10-12 Weeks | October 1-15, 2023 |
| Military | 1-2 Weeks | November 1-15, 2023 |
| Refugees, Asylees, and Holders of SIVs | 1-2 Weeks | November 1-15, 2023 |
| NCLEX-RN Results | 2-3 Weeks | November 1-15, 2023 |
| 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. |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Reapply/Repeat Examination: | Mandatory Timeframe: | Currently Processing Items Received: (Updated 11/21/2023) | |
| California | 10-12 Weeks | November 16-30, 2023 | |
| US | 10-12 Weeks | November 16-30, 2023 | |
| International | 10-12 Weeks | November 16-30, 2023 | |
| Military | 1-2 Weeks | November 16-30, 2023 | |
| Refugees, Asylees, and Holders of SIVs | 1-2 Weeks | November 16-30, 2023 | |
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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 11/21/2023) | |
| US | 10-12 Weeks | November 1-15, 2023 | |
| International | 10-12 Weeks | October 1-15, 2023 | |
| Military | 1-2 Weeks | November 1-15, 2023 | |
| Refugees, Asylees, and Holders of SIVs | 1-2 Weeks | November 1-15, 2023 | |
| Temporary License | 2-3 Weeks | November 1-15, 2023 | |
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). |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Certifications: | Target Timeframe: | Currently Processing Items Received: (Updated 11/21/2023) | |
| Nurse Practitioner | 4 Weeks (Mandatory Timeframe) | November 16-30, 2023 | |
| Nurse Practitioner Furnishing | 4 Weeks (Mandatory Timeframe) | November 16-30, 2023 | |
| Nurse-Midwife | 10-12 Weeks | November 16-30, 2023 | |
| Nurse-Midwife Furnishing | 10-12 Weeks | November 16-30, 2023 | |
| Nurse Anesthetist | 10-12 Weeks | November 16-30, 2023 | |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | 10-12 Weeks | November 16-30, 2023 | |
| Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse | 10-12 Weeks | November 16-30, 2023 | |
| Public Health Nurse Certification | 4 Weeks (Mandatory Timeframe) | November 16-30, 2023 | |
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 11/21/2023) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| License & Certificate Renewal | Online - Within 72 Hours* | November 16-30, 2023 | |
| By Mail - 6-8 Weeks | November 1-15, 2023 | ||
| 8-Year Renewal | 4-6 Weeks | November 1-15, 2023 | |
| Name Change | 2-4 Weeks | November 1-15, 2023 | |
| Inactive to Active Status | Online - Within 72 Hours | November 16-30, 2023 | |
| By Mail - 2-4 Weeks | November 16-30, 2023 | ||
| Duplicate Certificate | Online - 1-2 Weeks | November 16-30, 2023 | |
| By Mail - 2-4 Weeks | November 16-30, 2023 | ||
| Continuing Education Provider Application | 8-12 Weeks | November 1-15, 2023 | |
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.
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|---|---|---|---|
| Verifications: | Target Timeframe: | Currently Processing Items Received: (Updated 11/21/2023) | |
| 500000 and below - Microfilm | 6-8 Weeks | October 16-31, 2023 | |
| 500000 and above - BreEZe | 6-8 Weeks | October 16-31, 2023 | |