Okay I know many people have been wondering on how to go about the “Letter of Explanation” since most of the people here either are new graduates or just recent board passers so obviously they do not have a license at hand thus needing to write a letter explaining why they do not have one.

So here is a possible format on how to write this letter:

(Date)

BOARD OF REGISTERED NURSING

1625 N. Market Boulevard,

Sacramento, California 95834-1924, USA

To Whom It May Concern:

As indicated in your requirements for application we need to provide you with a photocopy of our license or diploma to practice professional nursing in the country where we were educated. I would like to inform you that… (state your reason why you do not have a license)

(If you have any other proof of documents such as a Certificate of Passing from PRC also indicate it in the letter that you attached such documents.)

Sincerely Yours,

(Complete Name and Signature)

That is a sample format of the letter I hope this clears things up since many of you are requesting on how to go about it. Please take note that the text in parenthesis in bold and italics are notes so it could give you an idea on how to continue the sample letter.

Some might think that the letter is too short but the thing is though you just have to be direct and give your reason so there is no reason for it to be a lengthy letter.

You can have it computerized or handwritten as long as it is legible. Do not forget to include your signature.

I hope this helped and good luck with your application

Please be reminded that all information placed on these articles are opinions based on different forums, sites, experiences and knowledge. The intention of these articles is to be able to give guidance and idea to the readers. Later on, it will be the reader who will decided on whether or not to push through with the content of this article. In addition, end results vary from person to person and is a case to case basis.

If to be posted elsewhere please credit www.philippinenursesinfo.com.

I will try to post here as much information as I can to guide you. But please take note that one’s case can be different from the other. I am just here to give you an insight on how it went when I applied. There will be a lot of factors that may differ from my experience to yours such as the school, processing etc. Also take note that these tips are for the FIRST TIME CALIFORNIA STATE BOARDS TEST TAKERS. If you are going to reexamine there will be a different form to accomplish.

HOW TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION FORM

First get a copy of the California Board of Registered Nursing Application Form. You will need ADOBE READER to view the file.

APPLICATION FOR LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION

The first part of the application contains questions about your personal information. Fill in the necessary information and here are some tips and frequently asked questions when answering this form.

ADDRESS

If you have a relative or a family member in the US you can use their address 

APPLICATION FOR LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION
This is one of the first forms that you will need to accomplish basically it includes your personal information. Fill in the necessary information and here are some tips and frequently asked questions I encountered when filling up this form.

• ADDRESS: If you have a relative or family member residing abroad whom you can trust and at the same time ask for little favors then if possible try using a US Address they say that it makes communication faster between you and the Board of Nursing just in case they need something from you. Also it is obvious that mailing time would be faster since letters are only transmitted to the same country as compared to having it mailed in another country. I also say ask for little favors because technically speaking when you mail your forms it would have to come from that US address too so what will happen is that if you are here in the Philippines you will mail the personal forms to your relatives address and they will be the one to mail it to the Board of Registered Nursing… sounds complicated but I hope you get what I mean. If you do not know anyone abroad then just use your address here in the Philippines.
  

• SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER: Most of us do not have this not unless you can legally work in the US so in most cases you just leave it blank.

• Place your 2×2 picture on the box provided using tape NOT glue.

• Do NOT forget to include your application and fingerprint card processing fee please refer to the application form for the exact amount ($126.00 for application and fingerprint card). Make sure it is payable to the BOARD OF REGISTERED NURSING.

The rest of the application are pretty much self explanatory so this form has 2 pages. There is a part about an INTERIM PERMIT which basically says that they give you like a temporary permit to work while while waiting for the exam results which is valid for 6 months or until your results have been released. Personally, I did not avail of it since I won’t be able to use it since I do not have papers to work in the US. So I would rather save the $30.

REQUEST FOR TRANSCRIPT

One of the forms for the California BON is the forms to be given to your school registrar and then they would be the one to submit it through mail to the California BON. As for my tip just try to clarify everything with your school registrar so that less errors would be made in terms of processing.

BREAKDOWN OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR INTERNATIONAL NURSING PROGRAMS and NURSING PROGRAM VERIFICATION

Just fill out the parts where it asks you to fill which is basically the personal information and the rest will be filled out by your nursing program. Usually they mail it together with your TOR which was filled by the school registrar.

COPY OF LICENSE WHERE YOU WERE EDUCATED

If you do not have your local license yet just mail them your board certification that you passed which you can request in PRC once you know you passed the exam. And well if you have your license already then just scan it and print it and attach it together with the other documents you will submit.

FINGERPRINT CARD

You would have to request for this separately you can request by going to this link: California Finger Print Card Request

Read thru the instuctions there and wait for it to arrive in your mail. Then you can accomplish the fingerprint in the NBI in Carriedo. I am not sure if it can be done in other NBI branches.

Once accomplished, mail it together with your other forms and DO NOT BEND the fingerprint card so if you can place it in a hard envelope the better. What I did was I improvised an envelope using a folder. They just need one copy but just in case the print is rejected provide them another copy so you would not have to mail it separately when they ask for another one.

Here are the things that YOU will mail to California BON:

• Application for Licensure by Examination

• Copy of License Where You Were Educated
  

• Request for Disabilities Form (if applicable)

• Fingerprint Card (2)

• Fees for Application Process & Fingerprint Card
  

Things that the SCHOOL will mail to Cali BON:

• Request for Transcript form + TOR and RLE Records

• Breakdown of Educational Program for International Nursing Programs Form

• Nursing Program Verification Form

As much as i am giving here tips and guidelines please refer and read the instructions that comes with the forms. There might have been changes in terms of fees and other instructions so it is important to refer to them still.

The processing of my application took about 2 months but then they requested for subject description so it took me another month to accomplish that. But I think the subject description is a case to case basis. In general, waiting period for your application is 3- 6 months depending on the bulk of applicants.

Last tip, if you are to use Fed Ex or Special Couriers in mailing remember that they will not accept PO Box address that comes with the form so you can use this address instead:

Board of Registered Nursing

1625 North Market Blvd,

Suite N217 Sacramento, CA 95834-1924

I hope the tips were helpful and let me know if you have further questions feel free to ask me. Please do not forget to read the directions that comes with the application form and use the checklist that comes with it too its very helpful so that you do not miss out any information.

Please be reminded that all information placed on these articles are opinions based on different forums, sites, experiences and knowledge. The intention of these articles is to be able to give guidance and idea to the readers. Later on, it will be the reader who will decided on whether or not to push through with the content of this article. In addition, end results vary from person to person and is a case to case basis.

If to be posted elsewhere please credit www.philippinenursesinfo.com.