How to Register for the NCLEX in California (BRN): Steps, Fees, Documents

To work as an RN in California you license with the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) through BreEZe. The application fee depends on where you trained (US$300 California graduate, US$350 other US graduate, US$750 international), fingerprints go through Live Scan or a hard card, and the Board asks you to apply six to eight weeks before the date you want to test. An optional six-month Interim Permit lets you work under direct RN supervision until your result arrives. California is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact.

At a glance

The steps, in order (graduates of a California program)

8 steps

Create a BreEZe account and file the RN Initial Exam ApplicationPay the fee for your method: US$300 if you finished a Board-approved California program, US$350 if your program was elsewhere in the US. All fees are non-refundable. Your name must match your photo ID exactly, and a Social Security number or ITIN is required.BreEZe →
Apply six to eight weeks before the date you want to testThe Board asks for that lead time to process the file and receive every document; processing times vary with workload.BRN: licensure by examination →
Fingerprints: Live Scan in California, or a hard card from outsideIn California use a Live Scan site and pay the operator; results take one to two weeks. Outside California request the FD-258 hard card through BreEZe (US$49), allow 7 to 10 business days for it to arrive, and expect one to two months for DOJ/FBI processing.BRN: fingerprint instructions →
Your school sends the transcriptCalifornia programs send transcripts to the Board electronically. Out-of-state programs email them to eTranscripts.BRN@dca.ca.gov or send them directly; transcripts from the applicant or stamped 'issued to student' are not accepted.
Optional: Interim Permit (US$100)First-time candidates only: tick 'Request for Interim Permit' on the exam application and add US$100. Issued once the Board finds you eligible and has the DOJ/FBI fingerprint results; valid six months or until your first NCLEX-RN result arrives, whichever is first, and not renewable. You work under the direct supervision of an RN present on the unit.BRN: applicant FAQs (Interim Permit) →
Board finds you eligible, then register with Pearson VUEWhen your file is approved the Board sends detailed instructions for registering with Pearson VUE (US$200). Use exactly the same name as on your application; Pearson VUE emails the ATT, valid about 90 days.NCSBN: NCLEX registration →
Write the NCLEX-RNTesting is year-round at any Pearson VUE centre; unofficial results can be bought from Pearson VUE two business days later, official results come by mail. If you do not pass, wait 45 days, file the repeat examination application (US$250) and register with Pearson VUE again; California sets no attempt limit.What to bring on exam day →
Licence issued; renew every two yearsThe Board issues the RN licence after the pass and the complete file. Check your status in BreEZe or the Board's application status page. California is not a compact state, so practising elsewhere needs that state's licence by endorsement.BRN: application status →

If you were educated outside the United States

The exam is the same; the path to being allowed to write it is longer. These are the extra steps.

5 steps

File the RN Initial Exam Application in BreEZe and pay US$750Method 3 is for graduates of programs outside the United States. Add US$100 if you want the Interim Permit and US$49 for a fingerprint hard card if you are outside California.BreEZe →
Have your school mail the transcript with the Breakdown formSend your school the Request for Transcript form and the Breakdown of Educational Program for International Nursing Programs form. Transcripts not in English need a certified translation, and both the original and the translation go to the Board.BRN: exam application instructions (PDF) →
Send a copy of your nursing licence or diplomaThe licence or diploma that lets you practise professional nursing where you were educated, plus midwifery and psychiatric nursing certificates if you hold them.
Expect the Board to ask your school for more detailThe Board often needs course content and theory/clinical hour breakdowns; getting them can take one to six months depending on the school. Apply early.
Fingerprints, eligibility, Pearson VUEHard card (US$49) or Live Scan if you are in California. When the Board finds you eligible it sends Pearson VUE registration instructions (US$200, plus US$150 to test outside the US). The Interim Permit is available to first-time candidates once eligibility and fingerprint results are in.BRN: licensure by examination (international transcripts) →

Documents to have ready

Fees

How long it takes

Questions people ask about California

How do I register for the NCLEX in California?

Create a BreEZe account, file the RN Initial Exam Application and pay US$300 (California graduate), US$350 (other US graduate) or US$750 (international). Submit fingerprints by Live Scan or hard card and have your school send the transcript. When the Board finds you eligible it sends instructions to register with Pearson VUE (US$200); the ATT follows. Apply six to eight weeks before the date you want.

How much does a California RN licence cost?

US$300, US$350 or US$750 to the Board depending on where you trained, US$200 to Pearson VUE, the Live Scan operator's fee or US$49 for a hard card, and US$100 if you want the Interim Permit. All Board fees are non-refundable.

Can I work in California before I pass the NCLEX-RN?

Yes, on an Interim Permit (US$100) if you are a first-time candidate: it is issued once, lasts up to six months, requires the direct supervision of an RN present on the unit, and ends the moment you fail or results are mailed.

Is California a compact state?

No. California issues single-state licences only. A nurse with a multistate licence from another state still needs a California licence by endorsement to work in California.

How many times can I take the NCLEX-RN in California?

California sets no limit on attempts. You wait at least 45 days between attempts and pay Pearson VUE US$200 each time.

What does an internationally educated nurse need for California?

The US$750 application, a transcript mailed by the school with the Breakdown of Educational Program form (and certified translation), a copy of the nursing licence or diploma from the country of education, fingerprints, and patience: the Board may spend months clarifying course content with your school.

Official links and sources

Rules and fees change. Everything on this page was read on BRN's and NCSBN's own pages on October 7, 2026; when a detail matters to you, confirm it there:

This guide explains the process; it is not legal or immigration advice. Decisions about your eligibility are made by California Board of Registered Nursing.

Application, California graduatenon-refundable	US$300
Application, graduate of another US programnon-refundable	US$350
Application, international graduatenon-refundable	US$750
Interim Permit (optional)first-time candidates, once only	US$100
Fingerprint hard card (outside California)Live Scan fees in California are paid to the operator	US$49
Repeat examination applicationeach retake, plus Pearson VUE again	US$250
Temporary RN licence (nurses licensed in another state)not for new graduates	US$100
NCLEX-RN registration (Pearson VUE)per attempt, non-refundable. US$350 from Feb 1, 2027.	US$200

How to register for the NCLEX in California