Registered Nurse · Licensing Roadmap
New York RN to California RN License Requirements
Explore licensing pathways, application requirements, fees, fingerprinting, license verification, and compact considerations.
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Source-linked, AI-organized research. Confirm your requirements with the licensing board. This guide does not verify your license or determine eligibility.
Likely pathway †
Pathway conditions to check
- Licensure by Endorsement (RN)
Must hold “a current and active RN license in another state, U.S. territory, or Canada.”
To determine which option applies: Confirm applicant has a current and active RN license in another state/territory/Canada (NY is listed, but endorsement qualification depends on meeting CA requirements).
Source 1 ↗ - Licensure by Endorsement (RN)
Must have completed “an educational program meeting all California requirements.”
To determine which option applies: Confirm applicant’s education is complete and meets CA requirements.
Source 1 ↗ - Licensure by Endorsement (RN)
Must have passed “NCLEX-RN® or the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE).”
To determine which option applies: Confirm which exam was passed; Canadian Comprehensive is not acceptable.
Source 1 ↗ - Licensure by Endorsement (RN)
If “have not taken and passed the RN exam in any state,” you “will not be issued a license via endorsement.”
To determine which option applies: Confirm whether the applicant has taken and passed an RN exam in any state.
Source 1 ↗ - Licensure by Endorsement (RN)
If deficient in any requirement, you “must make up the deficiency prior to becoming licensed.”
To determine which option applies: The evidence for this pathway condition needs confirmation.
- Coursework Exemption for Out of State Applicants (optional)
If you completed theory component of anatomy/physiology/microbiology and practiced “for at least two years in another US state or territory,” you “will not be required to retake” lab component with lab.
To determine which option applies: Confirm the applicant’s coursework completion and two years of good-standing practice (discipline status unknown).
Source 1 ↗ - Coursework Exemption criteria (attestation-based)
Actively practicing means “performed at least one activity within the scope and under the authority of their professional license.”
To determine which option applies: Confirm the applicant’s qualifying activities within scope and under the authority of the RN license.
Source 1 ↗ - Coursework Exemption criteria (attestation-based)
Good standing means not involved in discipline actions such as “probation, suspension, public reprimand, censure, or reproval.”
To determine which option applies: Confirm applicant’s disciplinary history to match listed actions (unknown).
Source 1 ↗ - Coursework Exemption proof (education gate)
Proof must be provided “via a complete transcript, submitted by the school.”
To determine which option applies: Confirm the school-submitted complete transcript is available.
Source 1 ↗ - Coursework Exemption proof (practice gate)
Requires “At least two years practicing in another US state or territory.”
To determine which option applies: Confirm practice duration and location while licensed.
Source 1 ↗ - Coursework Exemption proof (verification gate)
Requires “Verification of licensure in the other jurisdiction.”
To determine which option applies: Confirm licensure verification will be provided to BRN.
Source 1 ↗
View source
Government fees †
Fees (targets CA RN endorsement): Endorsement application fee is non-refundable. For US/territory program graduates, “APPLICATION: $350.00” and optional “TEMPORARY LICENSE (OPTIONAL): $100.00.” For international program graduates, “APPLICATION: $750.00” and optional “TEMPORARY LICENSE (OPTIONAL): $100.00.” Fingerprint card fee shown: “Manual Fingerprint Card Processing (DOJ and FBI)… $49.” Could not confirm any additional endorsement-related fees (e.g., Nursys/verification charges) from the provided endorsement snippets.
Fee breakdown
- Registered Nurse Endorsement Application - RN from Another State, District or U.S. Territory (Method 1 - US program graduates) — $350.00
Applies to RN from another state/district/US territory; exact applicability depends on where applicant completed nursing program.
Source 1 ↗ - Registered Nurse Endorsement Application - International RN (Method 2 - international program graduates) — $750.00
Applies to international nursing program graduates; applicant’s program location unknown.
Source 1 ↗ - Temporary RN License (optional) — Amount needs confirmation
Temporary license is optional.
- Manual Fingerprint Card Processing (DOJ and FBI) — $49.00
Applies when fingerprinting is done via manual fingerprint card processing (Hard Card). Applicant’s method unknown.
Source 1 ↗ - Application fees non-refundable — Amount needs confirmation
Applies to endorsement application fees.
Source 1 ↗ - Coursework Exemption Attestation submission payment — Amount needs confirmation
Applies to submitting the exemption attestation document via BreEZe.
Source 1 ↗
Processing time †
Coursework exemption review timing: “allow approximately two weeks for review of your exemption form.” Temporary license timing: “Temporary Licenses cannot be issued until the processing of the fingerprint card or live scan has been completed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Board.” Could not confirm overall endorsement processing time to licensure issuance from the provided evidence.
Compact considerations †
If you hold an active multistate RN license, keep your primary residence in its issuing compact state, and retain valid practice privileges. The available evidence did not confirm current NLC participation for California. Do not assume that a multistate license authorizes practice there; confirm with the board.
View source
Application requirements †
Online RN Endorsement steps (BreEZe): (1) register for a BreEZe account; (2) select “RN Endorsement”; (3) attach documents at the end of the process; (4) pay application fees with a valid credit card. Items for all applicants: completed fingerprints using Live Scan or “fingerprint card (Hard Card)”; completed “Verification of License” form or Nursys® Verification Application (if Nursys participant); and transcripts from all colleges attended. Optional temporary license: “You may apply online for a temporary license” to begin work pending permanent issuance.
Requirements checklist
- RN endorsement qualification: current and active RN license in another state/territory/Canada — Required
Hold “a current and active RN license in another state, U.S. territory, or Canada.”
Source 1 ↗ - RN endorsement qualification: education meeting all CA requirements — Required
Have “completed an educational program meeting all California requirements.”
Source 1 ↗ - RN endorsement qualification: pass NCLEX-RN or SBTPE — Required
Passed “NCLEX-RN® or the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE).” Canadian Comprehensive not acceptable.
Source 1 ↗ Source 2 ↗ - Endorsement not available if no RN exam passed in any state — May apply
If you “have not taken and passed the RN exam in any state,” endorsement license will not be issued.
Source 1 ↗ - Education deficiencies must be made up before licensure — Needs confirmation
If deficient, “must make up the deficiency prior to becoming licensed.”
- BreEZe online application: register for account — Required
Register for a BreEZe account.
Source 1 ↗ - BreEZe online application: select RN Endorsement — Required
Select “RN Endorsement” under the BreEZe dropdown.
Source 1 ↗ - BreEZe online application: attach documents — Required
Attach documents to the application at end of process.
Source 1 ↗ - BreEZe online application: pay with valid credit card — Required
Pay “application fees with a valid credit card.”
Source 1 ↗ - Fingerprint requirement for endorsement applicants — Required
Provide fingerprints using “Live Scan or fingerprint card (Hard Card) processing method.”
Source 1 ↗ - Verification requirement for endorsement — Required
Submit completed “Verification of License” form or Nursys® Verification Application if applicable.
Source 1 ↗ - Nursys expiration rule — Required
Nursys verifications “expire 90 days from the date of request.”
Source 1 ↗ - Transcripts requirement — Needs confirmation
Transcripts required from “all colleges you attended” reflecting nursing degree coursework.
- Coursework proof for RN education: complete transcript requirement (end-app guidance) — Required
Proof of successful completion of anatomy/physiology/microbiology provided via complete transcript submitted by school (with/without lab component).
Source 1 ↗ - Coursework Exemption Attestation Form (optional) — May apply
To request exemption, complete and upload “Coursework Exemption Attestation Form” to BreEZe using “Submit Additional Documents.”
Source 1 ↗ - No payment for coursework exemption document submission — May apply
“There is no payment associated with this submission.”
Source 1 ↗ - Coursework exemption review time — May apply
After submission, allow “approximately two weeks for review of your exemption form.”
Source 1 ↗ - Temporary license option and dependency on DOJ/FBI fingerprint processing — May apply
Board may issue temporary license for up to six months; “cannot be issued until the processing…has been completed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Board”.
Source 1 ↗ Source 2 ↗
License verification †
Endorsement requires “Verification of License” from the other jurisdiction: either a completed “Verification of License” form or Nursys® Verification Application “if your board of nursing participates in Nursys®.” Nursys® verifications “expire 90 days from the date of request,” so do not request prior to endorsement application submission. (International graduates may require additional “Verification of License” and exam verification, but applicant’s status is unknown.)
Fingerprinting and background checks †
Could not confirm target-state (CA) background-check substance requirements from the available official endorsement evidence. The provided sources mention fingerprint processing in the endorsement/temporary license context, but do not detail separate background-check requirements to summarize here.
Education and transcripts †
Endorsement requires education meeting CA requirements and passage of NCLEX-RN or SBTPE. If deficient in any requirement, you “must make up the deficiency prior to becoming licensed.” Coursework Exemption (optional): if you completed the theory component of anatomy, physiology, and microbiology and have been practicing in good standing “for at least two years” in another US state/territory, you “will not be required to retake” the lab component that includes a laboratory. Proof: exemption requires “Proof of successful completion of…anatomy, physiology, and microbiology…via a complete transcript, submitted by the school” plus “At least two years practicing…” and “Verification of licensure.” The attestation requires 2 consecutive years actively practicing and no listed disciplinary actions.
Documents to prepare †
Endorsement document items evidenced: completed fingerprints using “Live Scan or fingerprint card (Hard Card)”; “Applicant Submission form (BCII 8016)”; completed “Verification of License” form or Nursys® Verification Application; and “Transcripts…required from all colleges you attended.” Coursework exemption: submission of the “Coursework Exemption Attestation Form” uploaded in BreEZe via “Submit Additional Documents.” Exemption education proof is provided to the BRN via a “complete transcript, submitted by the school.”
Responsible agency †
California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) is the relevant board for RN licensure by endorsement and coursework exemption submission. The BRN endorsement instructions describe registering on BreEZe, selecting “RN Endorsement,” and uploading the coursework exemption attestation form to a BreEZe account. The coursework exemption attestation form lists a BRN mailing address in Sacramento.
Some details in marked sections could not be confirmed. The text explains what remains uncertain; confirm those details with the licensing board before applying.
Details still to confirm
- Likely pathway
Does not provide CA endorsement eligibility for any other routes beyond endorsement and a stated need to apply for examination if exam not passed (no numbered alternative pathway steps). Applicant’s exam history and whether they meet education/exam gates are unknown.
- Application requirements
Full BreEZe screen-by-screen checklist is not included in the provided snippets; only high-level steps (register/select/attach documents/pay) are evidenced. Temporary license option is mentioned, but the separate temporary license application steps and required items beyond fingerprint processing are not enumerated in the provided excerpts.
- License verification
How NY-specific verification is requested/handled (beyond “Verification of License”/Nursys) is not detailed for CA in provided snippets. International-specific verification timing/requirements exist, but applicant status is unknown.
- Fingerprinting and background checks
CA background-check requirements are not separately described; only fingerprint and DOJ/FBI processing are evidenced in the temporary license context.
- Education and transcripts
Whether applicant qualifies for the exemption depends on discipline/practice status and qualifying coursework completion; only criteria are evidenced, not applicant facts.
- Government fees
Endorsement application fee amount is evidenced for US/territory vs international program completion, but applicant’s nursing program location is unknown so the correct method fee cannot be confirmed. No verification- or miscellaneous-fee amounts are evidenced in the provided endorsement snippets (separate fee categories not supplied).
- Processing time
Overall endorsement processing timeframes are referenced (“Processing Times page”) but no time-to-issuance number is included in the provided snippets. Fingerprint/DOJ/FBI processing completion gating is evidenced for temporary issuance, not a permanent issuance timeline.
- Compact considerations
Current destination-state compact participation was not confirmed by the validated evidence. Confirm participation, your license type and primary residence before relying on multistate privileges.
- Responsible agency
BreEZe navigation is evidenced, but no contact/portal processing instructions beyond what’s quoted are provided.
- Documents to prepare
Only some document/form titles are evidenced (BCII 8016, verification form, transcripts, exemption attestation); a complete document list for every endorsement application item is not present in the provided excerpts.