If you want to be licensed in California thru NCLEX Application, here are detailed steps on how to apply:
Firstly, obtain a copy of NCLEX Application Form from the CA BON Website. It’s 26 pages and in pdf format, so you need Adobe Reader to open it. Pages 1-10 are General Information and Instructions. You have to fill up starting page 11, as follows:
APPLICATION FOR LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION (pp. 11-12)Basically, this is all about your personal details. Fill in the necessary information and here are some tips and frequently asked questions I encountered when filling up this form.
- Social Security Number: Leave it blank, unless you have legally work in the US and have secure one.
- Place your 2×2 picture on the second page beside the date on the lower part of the page using tape NOT glue.
- Interim Permit: This is an option to obtain temporary permit while waiting for the results of your exam, valid for 6 months or until the release of results. Costs extra $35 so we dont normally avail this.
The rest of the items are self explanatory.
REQUEST FOR TRANSCRIPT (p. 13)
You have fill out the personal information and submit this form to your school registrar and have them fill up the rest. The school will be the one to submit this to Ca BON together with your Transcript of Records and RLE Summary.
BREAKDOWN OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR INTERNATIONAL NURSING PROGRAMS and NURSING PROGRAM VERIFICATION (pp 17,22)
Fill out the personal information(upper part) and have the school fill out the rest. Usually they mail it together with your TOR which was filled by the school registrar.
COPY OF LOCAL LICENSE OR LETTER OF EXPLANATION
If you have your license already then just scan it and print it or photocopy it back to back and attach it together with the other documents you will submit. If you do not have your local license yet just request PRC of your Certificate of Board Passing and Board Rating and write a simple letter of explanation to attache with your NCLEX Application. See sample letter of explanation here.
FINGERPRINT CARD
You would have to request this separately. You can request by going to this link: https://app.dca.ca.gov/rn/requests.asp
Fill out the online request form and then they will mail it to the address you provided in 2-3 weeks. Then you can go to NBI offices and request an agent to supervise your fingerprinting.
Place your accomplished fingerprint card (see my post on how to fill up California Fingerprint Card here) together with other forms and payment. Do not bend or fold the fingerprint card, or else they will not accept it and mail it back to you. I suggest you find any hard envelope for your documents.
PAYMENT
Submit the correct TOTAL FEE WITH your NCLEX application, made payable to the Board of Registered Nursing by check or money order (bank draft) in US Currency. Total fee for Application and Fingerprint card processing is $126.
So to summarize:
Packet A. NCLEX Application Documents that YOU will submit to California BON:
· Application for Licensure by Examination (NCLEX Application, 2 pages)
· Letter of Explanation/ Copy of PRC License
· Fingerprint Card (1)
. Payment thru bankdraft payable to Board of Registered Nursing ($126)
Packet B. Documents that the SCHOOL will mail to California BON:
· Request for Transcript form + TOR and RLE Records
· Breakdown of Educational Program for International Nursing Programs Form
· Nursing Program Verification Form
Tip: Since most of the schools don’t mail the above documents but instead they give it back to you with your school envelope, then you have to make it appear that the documents were mailed by the school. Meaning, you have to mail those documents in Packet B SEPARATELY from the documents in Packet A. Also, you have to mail those documents (B) in the same city/town where your school is located.
Processing time of your California eligibility ranges from 4-6 months.
As much as I’m giving you hints on the California NCLEX Application processing, it would be a great help if you read the instructions on the application form packet. If you have further questions don’t hesitate to drop a comment.
