Complete requirements guide for traveling healthcare workers
Application Fee
$350
Processing Time
10–12
weeks
Renewal Period
2
years
Renewal Fee
$190
Plan far in advance for California assignments due to the 3-month lead time. While the state is high-paying, the non-compact status and fingerprinting requirements create a significant barrier to entry for last-minute contracts.
License by Endorsement
Available for out-of-state licensees
Temporary License
Available while full license processes
Background Check
Required
Fingerprinting
Required
Jurisprudence Exam
Not required
Endorsement Fee: $350
California is not a compact state; all nurses must hold a specific CA license. Transcripts must be sent directly from the nursing school. Fingerprints (Live Scan for in-state or hard cards for out-of-state) are mandatory.
A temporary license is available for an additional $100. It is valid for 6 months and is typically issued once the board receives a completed application and fingerprint clearances.
Processing times are historically slow. Applicants can monitor the BRN website for current 'processing dates' updates. Using Live Scan inside CA significantly speeds up the background check portion.
30 hours required every 2 years
30 contact hours of continuing education must be completed every two years. For the first renewal, this requirement is waived.
The CURES fee ($30 biennial) is included in the renewal cost for most licensees. Hard card fingerprint processing for out-of-state applicants incurs an extra $49 fee.
Join TravTrak to get reminders before your license expires and manage all your healthcare credentials in one place.
Sign Up Free →Information last verified: March 29, 2026