| Answers to common questions that people ask | | | | on the BRN website at [ If you are unable to |
| the California Board of Nursing: | | | | complete an online application, you can simply |
| 1. How do I become a Registered Nurse (RN) in | | | | contact the BRN and they will send you a paper |
| California? | | | | copy. But don’t waste any time! You need |
| If you are finished with high school, click here to | | | | to send your application to the BRN at least 6 to |
| apply for nursing schools in your area: | | | | 8 weeks before graduation. |
| Approved Schools: California Board Of Nursing | | | | 2. Make sure that your school sends the BRN |
| If you are still in high school, you can begin | | | | your educational transcripts. |
| preparing now! A nursing school diploma is | | | | 3. Complete a fingerprint background check. |
| necessary for the occupation, of course, but you | | | | 4. You may apply for an Interim Permit only if |
| can also take the following courses in high school | | | | you wish to work in a supervised nursing capacity |
| to get a head start: | | | | while still awaiting your application process. |
| - 4 school years of English | | | | 5. Take (and pass) the National Council Licensing |
| - 3 to 4 years of Math, and that must include | | | | Examination at the following website: The entire |
| Algebra and Geometry | | | | exam is online and is available to take at any time, |
| - 3 to 4 years of Social Studies | | | | 6 days a week. If you are a new graduate, take |
| - 2 to 4 years of Science, and that must include | | | | this exam immediately after graduation! Early test |
| Biology and Chemistry | | | | takers have higher success rates because the |
| - 2 years of a foreign language is also | | | | information is still fresh in their minds. |
| recommended | | | | 2. Why do you ask for fingerprints? |
| If you do not take all of these courses or miss | | | | The fingerprint requirement gives the state of |
| out on a few years of a required subject, you | | | | California a way to do a background check on |
| can still make up for it in college. But remember, | | | | you. |
| the sooner you finish your prerequisites, the | | | | If you reside in California, you are required to use |
| sooner you become a Registered Nurse. It is best | | | | Live Scan to submit your fingerprints (unless you |
| to get as much done in high school as possible. | | | | have obtained an exemption). To find a Live Scan |
| Make sure that you carefully and thoroughly | | | | location near you, go to this web page: |
| research the type of nursing school you want to | | | | If you do not reside in California, you may use |
| attend. In the state of California, you have the | | | | either Live Scan forms or Fingerprint Card forms. |
| following five schooling options: | | | | You can request either of these forms at this |
| • Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): This | | | | web page: [ |
| takes 2 to 3 years and prepares you to provide | | | | For more information on what the Fingerprint |
| RN care in numerous settings. Most community | | | | Requirement is all about, go to |
| colleges will be able to offer you an ADN. | | | | 3. How can I inquire as to the status of my |
| • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): This | | | | application? |
| will take you 4 years to complete. You can get | | | | After you have submitted your application, wait 4 |
| this degree at many California State Universities | | | | to 6 weeks before actually contacting the Board. |
| as well as private colleges. This will not only | | | | Lots of inquiries cause delays in the application |
| prepare you to provide RN care, but will also allow | | | | process. |
| you to move up to administrative and leadership | | | | 4. What is the National Council Licensure |
| positions. | | | | Examination (NCLEX-RN)? |
| • Masters Entry Level Program in Nursing: | | | | This exam comes from the National Council of |
| This is a masters program designed for those | | | | State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). It is a |
| who have already earned their baccalaureate | | | | Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT) designed to |
| degree in another field and now want to become | | | | test whether or not one has the essential |
| Registered Nurses. It takes 1 to 2 years to finally | | | | knowledge, skills, and abilities to practice safe, |
| graduate, depending on how many nursing | | | | effective nursing at the entry level. For more |
| prerequisites the person has already taken. | | | | information, visit the following websites: or |
| • LVN 30 Unit Option: This alternative is not | | | | 5. After submission of my application, how long |
| a degree program, but instead a nursing career | | | | does it take to receive my eligibility to take the |
| ladder. It is designed for Licensed Vocational | | | | examination? |
| Nurses (LVNs) who wish to become RNs. It takes | | | | If the Board has received all the information |
| 18-24 months to complete. Even though this | | | | required for approval, you can expect your |
| program is legitimate for becoming an RN in | | | | eligibility letter in the mail within a period of 4 to 6 |
| California, most other states do not recognize the | | | | weeks. Prior law convictions and a failure to |
| California LVN 30 Unit Option as valid. If you are a | | | | submit all of the required documents on time will |
| LVN and want to obtain a degree and a RN | | | | delay the process. |
| license in another state, you will probably need to | | | | 6. Where can I take the NCLEX-RN? |
| complete the ADN program. ADN programs do | | | | The National Council Licensing Examination can be |
| give credit for some of the coursework | | | | taken at any Pearson Professional Center in the |
| completed to become an LVN. | | | | U.S.A. or its territories. International testing centers |
| • Military Corpsmen: A military corpsman | | | | are also available in Canada, England, Germany, |
| may receive a RN license if he or she has | | | | Hong Kong, India, South Korea, and Taiwan. Visit |
| completed RN level education and has clinical | | | | the Pearson VUE website at to find specific test |
| experience. The state of California permits | | | | center information. |
| corpsmen to take the national RN exam. | | | | 7. How much does it cost to register for the |
| A list of California nursing schools is available at | | | | NCLEX-RN? |
| the link at the beginning of this article. Apply to | | | | The examination fee is $200. If you need to take |
| multiple schools, since sometimes space is limited | | | | the NCLEX-RN at an international test center, you |
| at certain colleges. Give yourself plenty of options | | | | will need to pay an additional scheduling fee of |
| to choose from, and apply early. Be sure and find | | | | $150 plus a Value Added Tax (VAT) where |
| out what the application deadline is and what | | | | applicable. |
| entry exams are required at each school. Many | | | | 8. I have registered to take the examination. |
| nursing schools require the SAT, the ACT, and | | | | When will I receive my Authorization To Test |
| the National League for Nursing Pre-Admission | | | | (ATT)? |
| Exam. Furthermore, apply for financial aid! There | | | | After you the Board determines that you are |
| are tons of scholarships and loan programs out | | | | eligible to test, you will receive your ATT by mail |
| there for students. | | | | or e-mail from Pearson VUE (the organization that |
| To finally become a Registered Nurse in the state | | | | provides test administration and services test |
| of California, you must get your license from the | | | | development). You cannot schedule to take the |
| California State Board of Registered Nursing | | | | NCLEX-RN without your Authorization To Test. |
| (BRN). These are the requirements: | | | | You must present your ATT along with |
| 1. Complete the application! The entire application | | | | acceptable ID at the testing center in order to |
| package along with detailed instructions is available | | | | take the test. |