Steps for International RN Applicants
Here are the basic steps to become a California RN if you were educated in another country, and have never been licensed in another state in the U.S. (If you are licensed in another U.S. State and have passed the U.S. licensing exam, you may qualify for endorsement licensure.)
- Read detailed application instructions and download forms at this link. Or you may request an application packet by contacting the Board of Registered Nursing.
- Submit your application form, with appropriate fees. You will need to provide a U.S. Social Security number before a California license can be issued to you.
- Submit your fingerprints for a criminal background check.
- Submit a copy of your license or diploma that permits you to practice as an RN in your country.
- Have your college transcripts sent directly to the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). If your transcripts are not in English, there are special instructions for translation.(pdf)
- If your college has never submitted a transcript to the BRN for evaluation, the BRN will also need the college’s curriculum, catalogs, or other documents for evaluation.
- Apply for an Interim Permit if you wish to work under supervision temporarily while your licensing application is being evaluated. If you are from a non-English speaking country or did not take your country’s licensing examination in English, you will need to take an English comprehension examination to qualify for an Interim Permit. See the detailed application instructions for more information.
- Take and pass the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX). The exam is computerized and given continuously 6 days a week.
Visit: California Board of Registered Nursing – Get a Nursing License
Download: NCLEX Application Form California Board of Registered Nursing
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I’m asking, what are the total fees for my wife, who lives in the Philippines. She want to take exam as soon as possible.So she can be licensed here in the united states. thank you
just want to ask how to take nclex coz im now residing here in saudi arabia.thanks
im from philippines.. i want to apply for nlcex.. how do i get my Social security number…coz it is ask in the application… or is it just ok to leave it blank…
thank you..
hope to hear from u soon
just want to ask how to get social security number cause its in the application form of BON California..or will i just leave it blank? im from philippines
thank you…
About the social security…you can leave it blank because the social security is just needed to claim your license if you pass the exam…it’s not necessary to have it while taking it
I also want to ask…if it’s okay if I’m the one to sent my transcript of records to the BRN because I’m here now in the USA and I studied my nursing in the Philippines…thanks
regarding the Social Security number,how can i get it..coz im going to process my application for mclex exam…thanks..
i’m also from the philippines and i’m about to migrate to U.S , i’m just wondering how will i have a social security number ? .. thank you ..
from what i’ve read from all recent post from alot of nursing sites, the applicant should have SSN and they will not process the application if you don’t have it…and as for my research, (because i also want to go to CA, but doesn’t have SSN), you can only have it if you are a resident of CA or working in CA
hi maricar, i would like to ask you about social security number that needed mandatory in Board of nursing in california. im not american citizen. i already complete my requirements in application for licensure by examination but my problem is the ssn, im worried if i will leave it blank my documents will not process. therefore wat should i do? pls answer me- from philippines
i think u can leave it blank for the ssn when ur applying the exam but they will not issue u license until u have ur ssn. i think u can only have ssn if u have visa or ur us citizen.
i have question, how do i get the fingerprint hardcard? what are the forms to be given in my nursing school? request for transcript, breakdown right? do i have to also give the school diploma and nursing program verification?tnx
I have finished Bachelor of Science in Nursing in Silliman University College of Nursing here in the Philippines just this year. Regarding the requirements for the NCLEX examination- California, i was just wondering if I still need to take the IELTS exam because I am an American citizen and is currently residing here in the Philippines. Would it be okay if you could elaborate more regarding the social security number and the fingerprints for criminal background check for applicants like me who are here in the Philippines,who wish to take the NCLEX exam. I would also like to ask other requirements needed for the NCLEX exam in my case.
hi maricar, about your credentials after submitting your application form the BRN will send a request to your school and they will notify you as soon as they receive your credentials.about the ssn you really have to be a resident of CA or you have work here or else they wont let you take the exam and if they will you can’t claim your license without the ssn.God bless everyone!!!
One may not fill in the SSN provided for in the sheet for foreign applicants. However, within the time frame of 2 years, applicant must be able to provide the required SSN (US) for their license to be released. After that, the license expires and the applicant has to retake the exam which may not be a smart idea.
In the case of Vermont BON, they do not require the SSN of applicants from foreign countries. And you can renew your RN license with the corresponding fees after a period of 2-3 years, just like in PI.
To Dough Dicke:it is necessary for you to take into consideration the location where your wife plans to practice her RN in the US. Then, appropriate applications can be forwarded to the local BON and which can be found online for total fees. Las Vegas and New York have the highest fees so far that I have seen.
And to all applicants, try to get the corresponding ielts exam after you have passed the nclex but the US is in retrogression so I guess, you do not need to take it that soon.
Gathering from the messages I have read so far, I think most of those who wrote will have a hard time in your ielts writing skills forte since the syntax and grammar are atrocious.
Good luck!
hi Maidenofdforest .
i’m just wondering why CALI BON is asking me for license/diploma that permits me to practice as an RN in PH. since im an immigrant, i didn’t took it. and in their website they posted that i just need to write an explanation letter of why i don’t have a license. im just confused right now why they’re asking me for it. thanks.
hi i just wanna ask, how long does it take for me to take nclex since i filed my application in New York Board of Nursing. I send my documents last May.
thanks
I was just wondering if BON in CA will still request for the course description even though they already have your transcript of records,,
i would like to ask if anyone knows what are the state that doesnt require social security number to to take the NCLEX other than florida and vermont?
If i pass my california NCLEX exam and change my mind to work to New Jersey
do I still require to pass my english exam before applying a reciprocity?
hi, i accomplished my application forms for california nclex in 2008 but until now i was not able to send them. i’m wondering if they are still valid if i’m gonna send them now.
hi im an immigrant of US.. i studied in the philippines.. i just want to know .. f i still need to take the local examination there to proceed with Nclex?
hi, my nclex application was returned because of SSN #. How do I get it? I applied at NCLEX California rev center
i also want to know if how can i apply for nclex even if i don’t have social security number..?. because according to what i had inquired from geolearning centers, i can’t apply for California board of nursing w/o SSN..
im also from philippines.. how can i apply for nclex w/o SSN as required.?