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 5/30/2023)
California 10-12 Weeks April 1-15, 2023
US 10-12 Weeks May 16-31, 2023
International 10-12 Weeks April 1-15, 2023
Military 1-2 Weeks May 16-31, 2023
Refugees, Asylees, and Holders of SIVs 1-2 Weeks May 16-31, 2023
NCLEX-RN Results 2-3 Weeks May 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.

Reapply/Repeat Examination: Mandatory Timeframe: Currently Processing Items Received: (Updated 5/30/2023)
California 10-12 Weeks May 16-31, 2023
US 10-12 Weeks May 16-31, 2023
International 10-12 Weeks May 1-15, 2023
Military 1-2 Weeks May 16-31, 2023
Refugees, Asylees, and Holders of SIVs 1-2 Weeks May 16-31, 2023

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 5/30/2023)
US 10-12 Weeks May 1-15, 2023
International 10-12 Weeks April 1-15, 2023
Military 1-2 Weeks May 16-31, 2023
Refugees, Asylees, and Holders of SIVs 1-2 Weeks May 16-31, 2023
Temporary License 2-3 Weeks May 16-31, 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).

Certifications: Target Timeframe: Currently Processing Items Received: (Updated 5/30/2023)
Nurse Practitioner 4 Weeks (Mandatory Timeframe) May 16-31, 2023
Nurse Practitioner Furnishing 4 Weeks (Mandatory Timeframe) May 16-31, 2023
Nurse-Midwife 10-12 Weeks May 16-31, 2023
Nurse-Midwife Furnishing 10-12 Weeks May 16-31, 2023
Nurse Anesthetist 10-12 Weeks May 16-31, 2023
Clinical Nurse Specialist 10-12 Weeks May 16-31, 2023
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse 10-12 Weeks May 16-31, 2023
Public Health Nurse Certification 4 Weeks (Mandatory Timeframe) May 16-31, 2023

Licensees

Item Requested Target Timeframe Currently Processing Items Received: (Updated 5/30/2023)
License & Certificate Renewal Online - Within 72 Hours May 16-31, 2023
By Mail - 6-8 Weeks May 16-31, 2023
8-Year Renewal 4-6 Weeks May 16-31, 2023
Name Change 2-4 Weeks May 16-31, 2023
Inactive to Active Status Online - Within 72 Hours May 16-31, 2023
By Mail - 2-4 Weeks May 16-31, 2023
Duplicate Certificate Online - 1-2 Weeks May 16-31, 2023
By Mail - 2-4 Weeks May 16-31, 2023
Continuing Education Provider Application 8-12 Weeks May 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.

  • 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 5/30/2023)
500000 and below - Microfilm 6-8 Weeks May 1-15, 2023
500000 and above - BreEZe 6-8 Weeks May 1-15, 2023