NCLEX Application Guidelines

Please submit the application directly to the BRN. Contact Dr. Musselman (emusselm@sfsu.edu) with any questions or concerns regarding your application. 

• Complete the CA BRN Application for Licensure by Examination application online and pay all the required fees.
  • Apply starting 2 weeks before you complete Level 4.
  • The application does not require you to submit a photo or your transcripts.
  • BSN students should check "BSN"
  • ELM students should check the box for "GMS-Master's of Science (Entry Lvl)"
  • The end date and graduation date are the last day of classes that semester
• Complete and pay for your Pearson Vue account
• The SoN director will confirm your eligibility to take the NLCEX after the Registrar's office has awarded your degree (usually mid-late January and June). Pearson VUE obtains confirmations from the BRN each day at midnight. You should receive your Authorization To Test (ATT) within 72 hours of Pearson VUE receiving confirmation from the BRN. 
• Delays in receiving your ATT may be due to
  • Non-payment of the BRN and/or Pearson VUE account
  • Request for accommodations. This will delay your ATT for approximately 3 weeks
  • Incorrect degree designation on your BRN application
• A completed application requires fingerprinting. As indicated in the Application for Licensure by Examination instructions, there are two acceptable methods for completing the fingerprint requirement.
  1. “Live Scan” (recommended). Only the LiveScan form can be attached to the online application. Livescan will not hold you up from taking the NCLEX itself. If it is not submitted by the time you take the NCLEX, it might delay when you receive your license. If you have concerns about certain records within the last seven years, please email emusselm@sfsu.edu. If it's beyond seven years, you don't need to worry about it. 
  2. “Fingerprint Card (Hard Card)”. This method requires an additional $49 fee to BRN.
• An overview of the entire NCLEX-RN application process (Before the Exam, Exam Day, and After the Exam) is available on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website.
• Please read the application instructions thoroughly as it will be your primary source of information regarding this portion of the process. This portion of the NCLEX-RN process is between you, California RN, and the Board of Registered Nursing-- the state agency which will issue your RN license. Questions about fees, fingerprinting requirements, etc. must be directed to that office.

Tip 1: The SF State Police Department offers the “LiveScan” and the “Fingerprint Card (Hard Card. Contact that office at 415-338-6043 to make an appointment. For additional information, please visit their website.

Tip 2: Any place which offers the Live Scan service will request a Live Scan Service form. Please visit BRN Fingerprint Information page for more information.