California Code, Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2732.1

(a) An applicant for license by examination shall submit a written application in the form prescribed by the board.

Upon approval of the application, the board may issue an interim permit authorizing the applicant to practice nursing pending the results of the first licensing examination following completion of their nursing course or for a maximum period of six months, whichever occurs first.

If the applicant passes the examination, the interim permit shall remain in effect until a regular renewable license is issued by the board.  If the applicant fails the examination, the interim permit shall terminate.

(b) The board upon written application may issue a license without examination to any applicant who is licensed or registered as a nurse in a state, district, or territory of the United States or Canada having, in the opinion of the board, requirements for licensing or registration equal to or higher than those in California at the time the application is filed with the Board of Registered Nursing, if they have passed an examination for the license or registration that is, in the board's opinion, comparable to the board's examination, and if they meet all the other requirements set forth in Section 2736.

(c) Each application shall be accompanied by the fee prescribed by this chapter for the filing of an application for a regular renewable license.

The interim permit shall terminate if it is issued by mistake or if the application for permanent licensure is denied.