California Board of Nursing Requirements For Foreign Graduates – California has a large immigrant population, and some of the requirements for becoming an RN in the state are stricter than what is required to become one in other states. This article discusses the special requirements needed to work as an RN in California and how that affects your ability to work as a foreign graduate in the state.
California Board of Nursing Requirements for Foreign Graduates
The California Board of Nursing (CBN) recently revised its foreign graduate licensure requirements. Effective July 1, 2018, all foreign graduates of an approved nursing program in California must meet the same licensure requirements as a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
In order to qualify for licensure, all foreign graduates must:
- Have a current, valid license to practice as a registered nurse in their home country
- Be fluent in at least one language other than English and have no disciplinary actions on their nursing record related to that language
- Have completed at least 12 months of full-time equivalent nursing education in California
- Pass the NCLEX-RN examination
If you are a foreign graduate who meets all requirements, please visit CBN’s website to apply for licensure. The application process can be time-consuming and requires some documentation, so be prepared to submit your application package including:
- A completed application form
- A copy of your current nursing license from your home country
- A transcript from your nursing school showing final grades and course credits earned
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals who know you well and can attest to your nursing ability and integrity
- A letter of intent from the nursing school, if applicable look forward to seeing you at CBN’s 2019 Foreign Nurses Orientation in Los Angeles. Thank you for considering CBN.
Types of Degrees/Qualifications Accepted by the Board
The California Board of Nursing (CBN) accepts the following degrees and qualifications for licensure:
- An associate degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, or South Africa.
- A diploma or equivalent from a registered nursing school in one of the aforementioned countries.
- A nurse registration certificate from a qualifying jurisdiction.
- An appropriate score on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
- Completion of an American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) approved program in nursing.
- Proof of Good Moral Character.
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How to Apply as an International Graduate
If you are a foreign graduate of a nursing program in California, you may be wondering how to apply to become a registered nurse in the state. The process is not difficult, but there are certain requirements that you must meet before you can be approved to become a registered nurse in California.
To start, you will need to have your nursing degree from an accredited school in the United States or Canada. If you have earned your nursing degree from a university located outside of the United States or Canada, you will need to provide proof of equivalency. This can be provided by submitting official transcripts from your school and verifying that the program you completed is equivalent to a U.S. or Canadian nursing program.
Once you have your degree, the next step is to submit an application for licensure as a registered nurse in California. You will need to provide your college transcript, along with other required documentation such as your fingerprint card and tuberculosis test results. Once all of this information has been submitted, the California Board of Nursing will review your application and decide if you are eligible to become a registered nurse in the state.
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If you are eligible, the California Board of Nursing will then issue you a registration certificate which acts as your official license to practice nursing in California. If you are not eligible to become a registered nurse, you will receive an “ineligible” label on your certificate and the process will start all over again.
Other Requirements and Reasons You Might Not be Eligible
If you are a foreign graduate of a California nursing program, you may not be eligible to work in the state as a nurse. Here are some reasons why:
- You may not have completed all of the requirements necessary to practice in California.
- You may not have met the English language proficiency requirement.
- You may not be licensed or registered to practice in California.
- You may not have been issued a license or registration by the California Board of Nursing.
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Conclusion
If you are a foreign graduate of a California nursing program, you may be wondering what additional requirements the board of nursing has in place for graduates from out-of-state programs. Fortunately, the Board of Nursing only has a few specific requirements that must be met by all nurses who hold an RN degree from an accredited school. The other requirements that vary depending on your immigration status are outlined in more detail below. If you have any questions about meeting these requirements or about any other aspects of practicing as a registered nurse in California, don’t hesitate to contact the board directly. You Can Apply Now As A Foreign Nurse.
