Nurse state crossing · California licensing · NLC status table · LPN/LVN list
RN work list: California
What an RN has to do to work in California. Pick where you live and the page shows your route.
California is not a compact state, so a multistate licence does not cover work here. You need a California licence; the steps are below.
Home and work in California
If you already hold a licence California issued, there is no state line to cross. Renewal and continuing-education rules are on the California licensing page.
Moved here from another state? California does not honour multistate licences yet, so you need a California licence to work here. The endorsement steps are below.
NCSBN · ncsbn.org · checked 11 Sep 2026
Route B: get a California licence by endorsement
For everyone else. Each step comes from California’s own licensing sources; tick it off as you go.
-
Active out-of-state license
- Detail
- Current and active RN license in another state, U.S. territory, or Canada.
Qualifying education
- Detail
- Completed an educational program meeting all California requirements.
Exam passed
- Detail
- Passed NCLEX-RN or the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE); Canadian Comprehensive Examination not acceptable.
State Board of Nursing · rn.ca.gov · checked 11 Sep 2026
Source quotation
you must hold a current and active RN license in another state, U.S. territory, or Canada, have completed an educational program meeting all California requirements, and have passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) or the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE).
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
-
- Amount
- 350
- Per
- application
- Also payable
International RN endorsement application
- Amount
- 750
Manual fingerprint card processing (DOJ and FBI)
- Amount
- 49
Conditions & source context
Row quote covers the $350 domestic endorsement fee. The same schedule lists $750 for international endorsement and $49 for manual fingerprint card processing.
State Board of Nursing · rn.ca.gov · checked 11 Sep 2026
Source quotation
Registered Nurse Endorsement Application - RN from Another State, District or U.S. Territory | NOTE: These are not the fees for verification of California RN licensure; see Miscellaneous Fees. | $350
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
-
- Required
- Yes
- State check
- Yes
- FBI check
- Yes
- Fingerprints
- Yes
- Vendor
- Live Scan or fingerprint card (Hard Card)
- Fee
- 49
Conditions & source context
Quote covers the method. The $49 manual card processing fee (DOJ and FBI) comes from the BRN fee schedule row 'Manual Fingerprint Card Processing (DOJ and FBI) | $49'.
State Board of Nursing · rn.ca.gov · checked 11 Sep 2026
Source quotation
Completed fingerprints using either Live Scan or fingerprint card (Hard Card) processing method
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
-
- Required
- No
- Verification for endorsement
- Yes
Conditions & source context
Nursys accepted when the applicant's home board participates; otherwise BRN's own Verification of License form. Required:false because the board form is always an option.
State Board of Nursing · rn.ca.gov · checked 11 Sep 2026
Source quotation
Completed "Verification of License" form or Nursys® Verification Application if your board of nursing participates in Nursys®.
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
-
RN
- Hours
- 30
- Mandated topics
- Implicit Bias requirement (hours not established in this pass)
Conditions & source context
The CE page separately lists an Implicit Bias requirement;
State Board of Nursing · rn.ca.gov · checked 11 Sep 2026
Source quotation
to complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
-
- Fastest published
- 70
- Slowest published
- 84
- Basis
- published_by_state
Conditions & source context
BRN's table updated September 24, 2026 reports 10-12 weeks for U.S. endorsement applications and processing of applications received August 16-31, 2026. The board describes these as general, current average timeframes; individual circumstances can change processing time. This is a dated planning range, not a promised completion date. Typical_days omitted because the board publishes a band.
State Board of Nursing · rn.ca.gov · checked 2 Oct 2026
Source quotation
Licensure by Endorsement: Mandatory Timeframe: Currently Processing Items Received: (Updated 9/24/2026) US 10-12 Weeks August 16-31, 2026
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
Pick a start date to see the latest day to apply, based on the longest time the board publishes, 84 days.
Built from the California nursing licensing record and the compact status table. A step appears only when the record has a sourced answer for it; anything else points to the board. Informational only: confirm with the board of nursing before you apply.