How to Endorse Your RN License to California; For foreign-Educated Nurses.

If you’re a registered nurse educated outside the United States and you dream of working in California – one of the most rewarding and highest-paying states for nurses, this guide is for you.

Getting your California RN license by endorsement or examination as an internationally trained nurse can feel confusing, but once you understand the steps, you’ll see it’s a straightforward (though detailed) process. Let’s break it down step-by-step so you can confidently start your California nursing journey.

1. Understand How California Handles Foreign-Educated Nurses

California is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so every nurse – including foreign-trained RNs – must apply for a California RN license directly through the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN).

If you were educated outside the U.S. or Canada, you’ll need to prove that your nursing education is equivalent to California’s standards. This is done through a credential evaluation (usually CGFNS or IERF).

You’re eligible to apply if:

You completed a nursing education program outside the U.S. or Canada.
You hold a current, active RN license in your home counYou hold a current, active RN license in your home country.
You have passed the NCLEX-RN (or plan to take it).
Your education included both theory and clinical training in:

Medical-Surgical Nursing
Obstetric/Maternity Nursing
Pediatric Nursing
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing

If your nursing program is missing any of these clinical components, the BRN may require additional coursework in the U.S. before approving your license.

2. Get your Educated Evaluated (CGFNS or IERF)

The California BRN does not accept transcripts directly from foreign schools. Instead, you must have them evaluated by one of the BRN-approved credential evaluation agencies:

CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) – www.cgfns.org
IERF (International Education Research Foundation) – www.ierf.org

Step-by-step

Create an account with CGFNS or IERF
Request a course-by-course evaluation (for nursing)
Ask your nursing school to send official transcripts, syllabi, and course details directly to the evaluation agency.
Once evaluated, CGFNS or IERF sends the report directly to the California BRN

CGFNS is a good choice if you’ll also need a VisaScreen certificate for U.S. immigration.

3. Apply to the California Board of Registered Nursing

Once your education evaluation is in progress, you can apply for licensure.

Step-by-step

Create a BreEZe account – the BRN’s online licensing system.
Choose “Application for Licensure by Examination or Endorsement.”
1. If you’ve already passed the NCLEX-RN, select Endorsement.
2. If you haven’t taken the NCLEX-RN yet, select Examination.
Complete the online form with your education, background, and identification details.
Pay the application fee (around $350 USD).
Submit all required documentation (you can upload some files directly in BreEZe).

4. Fingerprinting and Background Check

California requires all applicants to undergo a criminal background check.

If you’re in California: Use LiveScan fingerprinting – it’s faster and electronic.
If you’re outside California or overseas: Request fingerprint hard cards from the BRN, have them taken at a local police or fingerprinting agency, and mail them back to Sacramento, CA.

Processing time for hard cards is longer – plan for at least 8-12 weeks.

5. Verify your Nursing License

You must verify your original and current nursing licenses.

If your country participates in Nursys (most don’t), verification can be electronic.
Otherwise, the license verification form from the BRN website must be completed by your licensing authority and sent directly to the BRN.

6. Take (or Transfer) the NCLEX-RN

If you’ve already passed the NCLEX-RN in another U.S. jurisdiction, you don’t need to retake it. Just have your results transferred to the California BRN. If you haven’t taken it yet:

Wait for the BRN to review your application and declare you eligible.
You’ll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) from Pearson VUE.
Schedule and take your NCLEX-RN exam.

7. Wait for BRN Review and License Issuance

After the BRN receives:

Your credential evaluation (CGFNS/IERF)
Fingerprint results
License verifications
NCLEX results

It will review your file for completeness.

If everything meets requirements, you’ll be issued your California RN license number, which you can verify on the BRN’s online license lookup.

8. Common Delays and How to Avoid Them

Many internationally educated nurses experience delays because of documentation issues. Here’s how to stay ahead:

Common Reasons for Delay

Missing clinical hours in obstetrics, pediatrics, or psych.
Transcripts that lack theory and clinical breakdowns.
Name mismatches between documents.
Sending transcripts directly to BRN instead of through CGFNS/IERF.
Choosing fingerprint hard cards when LiveScan is available.

Avoid Delays by:

Double-checking all names match your passport and application.
Working closely with your school to ensure complete records.
Using CGFNS or IERF early. Evaluations can take up so many months.
Keeping copies of everything you send.

9. How Long Does It Take?

Timelines vary, but here’s a realistic estimate:

Step	Estimated Time
Credential evaluation (CGFNS/IERF)	3-5 months
BRN application review	8-12 weeks
Fingerprint/background check	2-8 weeks
Total estimated time	6-8 months (average)

10. Final Checklist Before You Apply

Nursing education completed outside the U.S./Canada
Valid RN license in your home country
CGFNS or IERF course-by-course evaluation requested
BreEZe application submitted with payment
Fingerprints completed (LiveScan or hard card)
License verification sent from home country board
NCLEX-RN passed (or ATT received)

Once everything is in, keep checking your BreEZe account for updates.