How to Get a California Endorsement for Your Nursing License

Co-authored by Amy Bobinger

Last Updated: December 20, 2022 References

One of the best things about being a nurse is having the ability to travel to help other people. If you hold a valid nursing license and you would like to practice in California, you can apply for a California nursing license through endorsement!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Applying for Endorsement

1
Fill out your application packet. You can choose to either fill out your application online or you can print out the packet and mail it in. Both forms require your personal information, including name, date of birth, and Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer ID Number (ITIN). You will also need your current license number and expiration date.^{[1]
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- If you choose to apply online, complete the Online Licensure by Endorsement Application Identification Form at http://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/applicants/endidform.pdf.
- If you prefer to mail in your packet, download the Application for Licensure by Endorsement Packet from http://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/applicants/end-app.pdf.
2
Attach a 2 by 2 in (5.1 by 5.1 cm) photo of yourself to your application. The picture should show your face looking straight at the camera against a plain background, similar to a passport or driver’s license photo.^{[2]
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3
Get a copy of your fingerprints using Live Scan or a fingerprint card. You will need an official fingerprint card for your California nursing license. You can have this done electronically via Live Scan or get a hard copy of a fingerprint card at any official fingerprinting facility.^{[3]
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- You can get your fingerprints taken at your local police station.
- If you’re in California, visit https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations to find the nearest Live Scan fingerprinting service near you.
4
Contact your nursing school to have your official transcripts forwarded. You will need to get in touch with someone in the Registrar’s Office at your school and have them fill out the Request for Transcript form found on page 13 of your application packet.
5
Send page 17 of the application to your school if you’re an international applicant. Your nursing school will need to fill out the Breakdown of Educational Program for International Nursing Programs along with your official transcripts.^{[4]
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- If your transcripts are not in English, provide the Certified English Translation form to your translator.
6
Request a temporary license if you want to begin practicing right away. It can take several weeks to receive your permanent license after you have applied. If you want to be able to practice right away, check the Request for Temporary License box on page 11 of your application packet.^{[5]
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7
Pay all of the fees associated with your license. Your basic application fee is $100.^{[6]
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- You will need to pay an additional fee of $50.00 USD when requesting a temporary license.
- You will need to pay a $49 fee with your application if you use a fingerprint card.
- If you use Live Scan, you will need to pay the applicable fingerprint processing and Live Scan fees at the Live Scan site. These may vary from location to location.
8
Report all prior convictions or disciplinary action if you have any. Under law, you are required to report all misdemeanor and felony convictions, including those for driving under the influence, as well as disciplinary action against your healthcare license or certificate must also be reported.^{[7]
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- In the report, you will be required to provide a full written explanation of the circumstances surrounding the conviction or disciplinary action, including certified copies of relevant documentation.
- A conviction may not disqualify you from obtaining your California nursing endorsement. The Board will consider the facts and any evidence of rehabilitation when making its determination.
- Convictions must be reported even if they have been adjudicated, dismissed, or expunged.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Meeting Requirements for Endorsement

1
Graduate from an accredited nursing program. In order to practice nursing in California, you are required to complete your education at an accredited nursing school. To apply for endorsement, you will have to provide proof that you successfully completed your nursing program.^{[8]
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2
Pass the NCLEX-RN or SBTPE exams. To be licensed in California, you will have to pass either the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) or the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE).^{[9]
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- The 5-part Canadian nursing examination is valid if it was taken prior to 1980.^{[10]
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- The Canadian Comprehensive Examination will not be accepted for a California endorsement.^{[11]
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3
Have an active nursing license in another state prior to applying for endorsement. Your RN license should be current and active. Licenses will be accepted from all U.S. states and territories, as well as from Canada.^{[12]
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4
Apply for licensure by examination if you do not meet these requirements. Licensure by examination is a similar process to licensure by endorsement. You will need to include your fingerprints, photo, and fees when you apply, just as you would for an endorsement. However, you will have a different application to complete, and you will be required to take the NCLEX-RN.