Working in California on an out-of-state nursing license
Last verified against California Board of Registered Nursing.
The five facts
- Compact status
- Not a member
- Endorsement fee
- $350
- Temporary permit
- 6 months, $100, issued 2–3 weeks after fingerprint results are received (board-stated).
- Processing
- Endorsement: 10–12 weeks. Temporary license: 2–3 weeks.
- Portal
- BreEZe
Check your own licence against California
You need a California license by endorsement. A temporary permit lets you start sooner.
- Application fee: $350. Portal: BreEZe.
- Temporary permit: 6 months, $100 — issued 2–3 weeks after fingerprint results are received (board-stated).
- Permanent license: Endorsement: 10–12 weeks. Temporary license: 2–3 weeks.
- Required at endorsement: No mandated course. BRN reviews prelicensure coursework; nurses with 2+ years of practice in good standing need not retake lab-component science courses (16 CCR 1410.5)..
- Earliest start
- 2–3 weeks after fingerprint results are received (board-stated)
- Fee
- $350
- Apply online only after the endorsement application is submitted. Not issued until DOJ and FBI results are back.
Data as of September 2, 2026.
Nothing you enter here is stored. Trust keeps credentials on your phone, not on our servers.
If you hold a multistate license
A multistate license does not help you here. California is not a compact member, so practice in California — including telehealth to a patient located there — requires a California license by endorsement.
No active NLC bill in the 2025-26 session.
Licensure by endorsement in California
- 01
Open a BreEZe account
Create your BreEZe account and start the RN licensure-by-endorsement application with the California Board of Registered Nursing.
- 02
Request Nursys verification
Request license verification through Nursys for every state that applies to you. California accepts Nursys verification.
- 03
Complete fingerprints and the background check
California requires a fingerprint-based criminal background check: Live Scan (must be done in California) or FD-258 hard card; DOJ and FBI.
- 04
Clear the course requirements
No mandated course. BRN reviews prelicensure coursework; nurses with 2+ years of practice in good standing need not retake lab-component science courses (16 CCR 1410.5).
- 05
Pay the application fee
The endorsement fee is $350. Confirm the amount on the board's fee page before you pay.
- 06
Request the temporary permit
Request the temporary permit: 6 months, $100, issued 2–3 weeks after fingerprint results are received (board-stated).
- 07
Wait for the permanent license
Endorsement: 10–12 weeks. Temporary license: 2–3 weeks. Verify the license on the board's public lookup, then store the expiration in Trust.
California requires a valid U.S. Social Security number on the endorsement application.
Nursys verification expires after 90 days, so request it after submitting the application, not before.
Live Scan must be done inside California; out-of-state applicants use a hard card and pay the $49 processing fee.
Must have passed NCLEX-RN or SBTPE in some state; no endorsement without a passed exam.
What it costs, all in
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Endorsement application | $350 |
| Temporary RN license | $100 |
| Hard-card fingerprint processing (DOJ + FBI), only if not using Live Scan | $49 |
| Nursys verification | $30 |
How long it takes
Endorsement: 10–12 weeks. Temporary license: 2–3 weeks.
The temporary permit is the difference between waiting and working: 6 months, $100, issued 2–3 weeks after fingerprint results are received (board-stated). Apply online only after the endorsement application is submitted. Not issued until DOJ and FBI results are back.
EMTs and paramedics
California — EMS Compact: Not a member.
California is not an EMS Compact member, so there is no privilege to practice. Apply for reciprocity through the California state EMS office; most states ask for current NREMT certification and a background check.
After you’re licensed
A new license starts a new renewal clock. The California RN renewal guide covers the cycle length, the CE the board counts, and the fee — read it once, then let Trust hold the date.
Questions people ask
Is California a compact state?
No. California is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. No active NLC bill in the 2025-26 session.. You need a California license by endorsement.
Can I work in California with a multistate license from another state?
No. California does not honor multistate privileges, so you apply for a California license by endorsement before you work there.
How much does it cost to transfer an RN license to California?
The California Board of Registered Nursing endorsement fee is $350. Budget for the extras too: Temporary RN license $100, Hard-card fingerprint processing (DOJ + FBI), only if not using Live Scan $49, Nursys verification $30.
Does California offer a temporary permit while my endorsement is pending?
Yes. 6 months, $100, issued 2–3 weeks after fingerprint results are received (board-stated). Apply online only after the endorsement application is submitted. Not issued until DOJ and FBI results are back.
How long does California RN endorsement take?
Endorsement: 10–12 weeks. Temporary license: 2–3 weeks.
Do I need fingerprints for a California nursing license?
Yes. Live Scan (must be done in California) or FD-258 hard card; DOJ and FBI
What courses does California require before it issues an endorsement license?
No mandated course. BRN reviews prelicensure coursework; nurses with 2+ years of practice in good standing need not retake lab-component science courses (16 CCR 1410.5).