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International Education Roadmap

California Registered Nurse International education requirements

Explore evaluation, language, exam and document requirements.

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Source-linked research. Check the conditions for each requirement and confirm your circumstances with the board.

Use the boxes to track your preparation. Checking an item does not verify compliance.

Applicable licensing pathways

  • Applicants who completed nursing outside the U.S. use the international graduate examination route.

    Applies when: For California RN licensure by examination.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      Method 3 is for applicants who completed a nursing program outside of the United States of America

  • Endorsement is for applicants with a current and active RN license in another state, U.S. territory, or Canada, plus California education and exam requirements.

    Applies when: For California RN endorsement applicants, including international graduates seeking endorsement.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      To qualify for endorsement (reciprocity) into California as an RN, you must hold a current and active RN license in another state, U.S. territory, or Canada, have completed an educational program meeting all California requirements

  • International graduates who have not passed one of the acceptable licensing examinations are not eligible for endorsement and should apply by examination.

    Applies when: For international graduates seeking California RN endorsement.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      International graduates who have not passed one of the acceptable licensing examinations are not eligible for licensure by endorsement and should contact the Board

Credential evaluation

  • California does not require the CGFNS examination for RN licensure.

    Applies when: For California RN applicants educated outside the United States.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      The Board does not require applicants to pass the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) examination in order to be licensed in California.

  • If the applicant was evaluated by CGFNS, the Board will accept official copies of nursing transcripts, including the clinical portion, from that organization.

    Applies when: If the applicant used CGFNS evaluation.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      Although, if you have been evaluated by CGFNS, the Board will accept official copies of your nursing transcripts (including the clinical portion of your training) from this organization.

  • Official transcripts from an international nursing program must be sent directly to the Board by mail.

    Applies when: For applicants who attended nursing school in another country.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      If you attended a nursing program in another country, you must have your official transcripts sent to the Board by mail.

English proficiency

  • The Board may request TOEFL if there is reasonable doubt about English comprehension, and will also request TOEFL when the initial program was not taught in English.

    Applies when: For California RN applicants under the cited rules.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      the Board may request the applicant to take the English comprehension examination (TOEFL) if there is reasonable doubt of an applicant’s ability to comprehend the English language.

  • Reading 22, Listening 22, Speaking 26, Writing 22.

    Applies when: If TOEFL is requested by the Board.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      TOEFL Section Minimum Score Reading 22 Listening 22 Speaking 26 Writing 22

  • Proof of English comprehension is required if the applicant is from a non-English speaking country or did not take the licensing exam in English.

    Applies when: For international graduates in those stated circumstances.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      Proof of passage of an English comprehension examination if you are from a non-English speaking country or did not take your country's licensing examination in English.

Education and clinical requirements †

  • The BRN must verify education equal to or higher than California requirements before issuing a license.

    Applies when: For international graduate RN licensure review.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      The BRN must verify that all licensing requirements are met, including education that is deemed equal to or higher than what is required in California, prior to issuing a license to practice nursing

  • The Board reviews prerequisites, corequisites, and nursing-specific courses with theory and clinical practice delivered concurrently.

    Applies when: For international transcripts reviewed for RN licensure.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      verification of all courses required for licensure including prerequisites, corequisites, and nursing specific courses with theory and clinical practice delivered concurrently
  • †

    Could not confirm from the available official evidence.

  • Pre-licensure registered nursing programs in California must be approved by the BRN.

    Applies when: For education completed in California RN programs.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      Pre-licensure registered nursing programs in California must be approved by the BRN.

Examinations

  • Applicants must take NCLEX-RN if they have never passed it or been licensed as an RN in another state or U.S. territory.

    Applies when: For RN licensure by examination applicants.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      Applicants must take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) if they have never taken and passed the examination or been licensed as a registered nurse in another state or U.S. territory.

  • For endorsement, California accepts NCLEX-RN, SBTPE, or the five-part Canadian examination before 1980; the Canadian Comprehensive Examination is not acceptable.

    Applies when: For endorsement applicants.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      The endorsement applicant must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE), or the five-part Canadian examination (prior to 1980). The Canadian Comprehensive Examination is not acceptable

  • International graduates must submit license verification from the board of nursing where the examination was taken.

    Applies when: For international endorsement applicants.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      International graduates must submit license verification from the board of nursing where NCLEX was taken

Identity and background †

  • †

    Could not confirm from the available official evidence.

  • If using electronic Live Scan, the site must be located in California.

    Applies when: For applicants choosing Live Scan.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      You must use a Live Scan site located in California to use this method.

  • Individual Taxpayer Identification Number is accepted in place of SSN effective April 1, 2015.

    Applies when: For applicants under the cited international graduate qualification document.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is accepted in place of SSN effective April 1, 2015.

Government and evaluation fees †

  • †

    Could not confirm from the available official evidence.

  • †

    Could not confirm from the available official evidence.

  • †

    Could not confirm from the available official evidence.

  • †

    Could not confirm from the available official evidence.

  • †

    Could not confirm from the available official evidence.

Documents and application order

  • The Board highly recommends that applicants apply online.

    Applies when: For RN exam applicants.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      The Board of Registered Nursing highly recommends that applicants apply online.

  • Applicants should attach as much information as possible to reduce paperwork, speed review, and reduce deficiency letters.

    Applies when: For online RN exam applicants.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      Please attach as much information as possible to reduce paperwork, speed the review process, and reduce the need for deficiency letters.

  • Send the Breakdown of Educational Program form and Request for Transcript form to the school; if the transcript is not in English, provide the Certified English Translation form to the certified translator.

    Applies when: For international applicants.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      Send the "Breakdown of Educational Program for International Nursing Programs" to your school with the "Request for Transcript" form. If your transcript is not in English, provide the "Certified English Translation" form to your certified translator.

  • Official transcripts from an international nursing program must be sent to the Board by mail.

    Applies when: For applicants who attended nursing school in another country.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      If you attended a nursing program in another country, you must have your official transcripts sent to the Board by mail.

  • Applicants may attach accommodation and prior-discipline materials to the online application.

    Applies when: If the applicant has accommodation or prior-discipline documents.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      For students who need reasonable accommodations, you can scan and attach the Request for Accommodation of Disabilities form to your online application.

Responsible agencies

  • California Board of Registered Nursing / BRN.

    Applies when: For California RN licensure.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      Home Applicants Licensure by Exam Click to view Important information for Applicants. # Licensure by Examination

  • NCLEX-RN is administered at Pearson Professional Center locations in the U.S. and its territories, with additional international testing centers listed by the Board.

    Applies when: For NCLEX testing logistics.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      The NCLEX-RN examination is administered at any Pearson Professional Center (PPC) located in the U.S. or its territories. Additionally, international testing centers are located in Australia, Canada, England, Germany (temporarily not testing at this location), Hong Kong, India, Japan, Mexico, Philippines, and Taiwan.

  • CGFNS is an official organization the Board mentions for transcript copies and nursing transcript evaluation materials.

    Applies when: If the applicant used CGFNS.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      if you have been evaluated by CGFNS, the Board will accept official copies of your nursing transcripts