General guide on how to apply for licensure as a RN in CA
**Magis tips
1. First thing you have to do is to go to their website and go directly to licensure by examination
click on the link below:
http://www.rn.ca.gov/applicants/lic-exam.shtml
2. Next, download the actual application form. It is preferable to print it in full color but is not necessary and a black and white application form will not have any negative effect on your application as it is the data in it that counts.
right click on the link below then click save link as/save target as:
download the application form here! (PDF file)
3. California Board of Registered Nursing requires background checking as part of the application process. Applicants, can make a request to the Board to send them fingerprint cards online on their website and it is mailed to the applicant free of charge, whereever in the world you are. Make sure you give your full mailing address on their online request form. Allow 1 to 6 weeks for the snail mail to reach you. They usually give 2 copies but you only need one. You may send back both but you only have to pay for one and they will only process one. The extra copy is just in case the other one gets bent/folded or the fingerprinting was not done properly and full of smudges.
Click here to request for fingerprint card
*** Once you receive the fingerprint card, go to NBI Carriedo in Quiapo, Manila (just a walk away from Quiapo church, once you get there, you can ask people for direction) NBI Carriedo is the only branch where fingerprints are processed DO NOT go to NBI Taft. You will only need 20 pesos for the stub, and 4 pesos para sa pamunas ng ink, which is by the way not compulsary.
4. Total pay for applicants living outside U.S. is $126 dollars ($75 for the application fee and $51 for one fingerprint card). No need to request for interim permit at most cases. (Interim permit - is only usually good for those who graduated in a school in the US and would like a one time 6 months permit. It is NOT needed for applicants from the Philippines)
** You do not send cash, instead you request for a bank draft in any international bank where you have an active account. You just need to pay US$126. The bank draft should be addressed to the BOARD OF REGISTERED NURSING. It is the bank draft which is going to be sent along with the completed application form, fingerprint card, etc…
Note: you should bring extra dollars since there will be charges in making a bank draft depending on your bank. To be safe, bring 135 US dollars with you…
5. Prepare the items indicated on the checklist on page 2 of the application form and see further details there as well as on how to properly fill-up the finger print card and other instructions specific for International graduates. Also, some applicants send an extra 2×2 picture just in case.
*** 2×2 pic should be recent and should be passport type (NOT passport size!)
6. When answering the forms, Put an ‘N/A’ on any question that does not pertain to you, such as having U.S. SSN, an alias, etc… Only pages 11-12 is what the applicant has to answer. Pages 13 (request for transcript), 17 (breakdown of educational program) and 22 (nursing program verification) is to be given to your School’s Registrar/Dean’s Office. Do not fill-up Section A just yet as some schools prefer that they answer everything themselves and the applicant only has to place their signature on it The School Registrar has to send those pages, coupled with a copy of your transcripts themselves***. Pages 11-12 coupled with the total fee in a form of a bank draft (fees can be combined so that you only need to make just one bank draft, which is US$126) and the fingerprint card has to be sent by the applicant themselves separate from what your school sends.
** You can type directly on the fields of the PDF File (Like the name, address, birthday, school,etc). You can only type on fields that you HAVE to fill-out. Do not worry if you are unable to type on some of the fields because this only means you ARE NOT supposed to write/type anything on that field. Type N/A on any field that is not applicable, the SS number number field is an exemption since the field only accepts numerical values, in this case you don’t have a choice but to WRITE N/A on this field with a BLACK ballpen.
FYI: field = box/blank/space where you write information
*** For the request for transcript (page13), breakdown of educational program (page 17), nursing program verification (page 22) - The Dean’s office usually completes your request in 1 week. Once you get the forms from the Dean’s office, bring them to the registrar’s office, get them stamped and enveloped, it must be sealed and signed by the registrar. YOU will be the one who will Air mail it through any Quezon City post office (Recommended).
PS: if you have your ORIGINAL Transcript of Records (TOR) (NOT the one with the “For Board Exam Purposes” liquid stamp), you can submit them for the NCLEX instead of requesting for another one. Of course, if you prefer to have your own original copy (just for keeping), you should rather request for a new one. The TOR, the RLE and NCLEX processing fee should cost you around Php210 (Php70 per copy). Pay up at the cashier.
7. Transcripts not in English needs to be properly translated by a certified translator. See pages 15-16 of the application packet for further instructions.
** Last time i checked, transcripts from Trinity are still in English! Don’t worry, they’re not yet written in Korean (or at least for now!)
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So all in all you have to send two envelopes:
1. Envelope containing the requirements sent by the school (the one you got from the dean’s office and the registrar’s - pages 13, 17 and 22 (request for transcript, breakdown of educational program, nursing program verification) of the PDF application form). This is sent via air mail through any Quezon City Post office (TUA is located in QC, that’s why)
The address used in sending this envelope is the MAILING ADDRESS which is:
Board of Registered Nursing
P.O. Box 944210
Sacramento, CA 94244-2100
2. The 9”x12” envelope containing the following:
>Appropriate fees (Bank draft);
>Completed Application for Licensure by Examination (pages 11 and 12);
>Completed fingerprint card;
>One recent 2” x 2” passport-type photograph;
>Letter of Explanation (why you don’t have a copy of your license - if you are a newly registered nurse);
>Certificate of Board Passing (Philippine Nurse Licensure Exam) from the Professional Regulation Commission (original or certified true copy)
OR
Certificate of Board Rating (Philippine Nurse Licensure Exam) from the Professional Regulation Commission. (original or certified true copy)
this is sent via any international delivering company like FedEx, LBC, Air21, etc…
the address used in sending this envelope is the OVER-NIGHT OR THE IN-PERSON DELIVERY ADDRESS which is:
Board of Registered Nursing
1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N-217
Sacramento, CA 95834-1924
Let’s Go MAGIS! Ajah! 
