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 May 19, 2025, 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 5/19/2025) |
| California | 10-12 Weeks | April 1-15, 2025 |
| US | 10-12 Weeks | May 1-15, 2025 |
| International | 10-12 Weeks | May 1-15, 2025 |
| Military | 1-2 Weeks | May 1-15, 2025 |
| Refugees, Asylees, and Holders of SIVs | 1-2 Weeks | May 16-31, 2025 |
| NCLEX-RN Results | 2-3 Weeks | May 1-15, 2025 |
| 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 5/19/2025) | |
| California | 10-12 Weeks | May 16-31, 2025 | |
| US | 10-12 Weeks | May 16-31, 2025 | |
| International | 10-12 Weeks | May 16-31, 2025 | |
| Military | 1-2 Weeks | May 16-31, 2025 | |
| Refugees, Asylees, and Holders of SIVs | 1-2 Weeks | May 16-31, 2025 | |
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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 5/19/2025) | |
| US | 10-12 Weeks | April 16-30, 2025 | |
| International | 10-12 Weeks | May 1-15, 2025 | |
| Military | 1-2 Weeks | May 1-15, 2025 | |
| Refugees, Asylees, and Holders of SIVs | 1-2 Weeks | May 1-15, 2025 | |
| Temporary License | 2-3 Weeks | May 1-15, 2025 | |
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 5/19/2025) | |
| Nurse Practitioner | 4 Weeks (Mandatory Timeframe) | May 16-31, 2025 | |
| Nurse Practitioner Furnishing | 4 Weeks (Mandatory Timeframe) | May 16-31, 2025 | |
| Nurse-Midwife | 10-12 Weeks | May 16-31, 2025 | |
| Nurse-Midwife Furnishing | 10-12 Weeks | May 16-31, 2025 | |
| Nurse Anesthetist | 10-12 Weeks | May 16-31, 2025 | |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | 10-12 Weeks | May 16-31, 2025 | |
| Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse | 10-12 Weeks | May 16-31, 2025 | |
| Public Health Nurse Certification | 4 Weeks (Mandatory Timeframe) | May 1-15, 2025 | |
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 5/19/2025) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| License & Certificate Renewal | Online - Within 72 Hours* | May 16-31, 2025 | |
| By Mail - 6-8 Weeks | May 1-15, 2025 | ||
| 8-Year Renewal | 4-6 Weeks | May 1-15, 2025 | |
| Name Change | 2-4 Weeks | May 1-15, 2025 | |
| Inactive to Active Status | Online - Within 72 Hours | May 1-15, 2025 | |
| By Mail - 2-4 Weeks | May 1-15, 2025 | ||
| Duplicate Certificate | Online - 1-2 Weeks | May 16-31, 2025 | |
| By Mail - 2-4 Weeks | May 16-31, 2025 | ||
| Continuing Education Provider Application | 8-12 Weeks | May 1-15, 2025 | |
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 5/19/2025) | |
| 500000 and below - Microfilm | 6-8 Weeks | May 1-15, 2025 | |
| 500000 and above - BreEZe | 6-8 Weeks | May 1-15, 2025 | |