While a prospective California nurse practitioner need not attend a bachelor of science in nursing program that is certified by the California State Board of Nursing, it is important that the chosen program is accredited by a state board of nursing. If the nursing student attends an unaccredited program, she will be ineligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse.
Registered nurse licensure is granted by individual state boards after satisfactorily passing the national certification examination and completing the academic requirements for a bachelor of science in nursing program. Graduates should apply for licensure from the California Board of Nursing, but there are opportunities to transfer licenses from another state, if in good standing.
Registered nurses generally must accumulate at least 12 months of professional experience before admission to a Master of Science-Nurse Practitioner program is granted. Completion of this program allows the graduate to sit for the family nurse practitioner certification examination held by the state of California and administered by the American Nurses Practitioner Credentialing Center.