The “equivalency method” permits unlicensed individuals who have had extensive bedside nursing care experience, plus a limited amount of formal education, to demonstrate that they have acquired sufficient basic nursing knowledge and skills to be eligible for the licensure examination.  

The “equivalency method”, requires the applicant to provide documentation of a minimum of

51 months of paid bedside nursing experience in an acute care setting and completion of a 54-theory-hour of Pharmacology Course.

If the applicant has successfully completed the additional formal nursing education, that education may be substituted for some of the required bedside nursing experience.

Other healthcare related professionals and nursing undergraduates may also qualify.

* To verify eligibility to sit for the exam, we encourage you to speak with our counselors and to check the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Tech. website for further details:

http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov

Then go to Application for Vocational Nurse Licensure by Examination.  There you will find the Method 3 link.