BOARD OF REGISTERED NURSING
PO Box 944210, Sacramento, CA 94244-2100
P (916) 322-3350 F (916) 574-8637 | www.rn.ca.gov
BUSINESS, CONSUMER SERVICES, AND HOUSING AGENCY • GAVIN NEWSOM, GOVERNOR
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS AND APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE (PHN) CERTIFICATION
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Pursuant to Section 2818 (a) of the Business and Professions Code the Legislature recognizes that public
health nursing is a service of crucial importance for the health, safety, and sanitation of the population in all of
California’s communities. These services currently include, but are not limited to:
♦ Control and prevention of communicable disease.
♦ Promotion of maternal, child, and adolescent health.
♦ Prevention of abuse and neglect of children, elders, and spouses.
♦ Outreach screening, case management, resource coordination and assessment, and delivery and
evaluation of care for individuals, families, and communities.
In addition, Section 2818 (c) states that no individual shall hold himself or herself out as a public health nurse
or use a title which includes the term “public health nurse” unless that individual is in possession of a valid
California public health nurse certificate issued pursuant to this article.
I. GENERAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Public Health certification eligibility requires the possession of an active California registered nurse (RN) license
(California Code of Regulations, Section 1491).
If you do not possess an active California RN license and have never applied for a California RN license, an Application
for California RN Licensure by Endorsement/Examination must also be submitted. If you have had a permanent California
RN license, you must either renew or reactivate the California RN license.
The Public Health Nurse Application fee is an earned fee; therefore, when an applicant is found ineligible the application
fee will not be refunded. Processing times for certification may vary, depending on the receipt of required documentation.
Processing a Public Health Nurse Certification application indicating prior disciplinary action(s) and/or voluntary
surrender(s) may take longer. A pending
application file is not a disclosable public record; therefore, an applicant
must sign a release of information before the Board of Registered Nursing will release information relating to the PHN
application to the public, including employers, relatives or other third parties. Once you are certified, your address of
record must be disclosed to the public upon request.
II. NAME AND/OR ADDRESS CHANGES
California Code of Regulations, Section 1409.1 requires that you notify the Board of Registered Nursing of all names and
address changes within thirty (30) days of any change. You may call the Board of Registered Nursing regarding the
change of address of record. If you have changed your name, please submit a letter of explanation along with legal
documentation of the name change to the Board. Examples of acceptable forms of legal documentation are birth
certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree and/or court documents, social security card or passport. A copy of a
driver’s license is not acceptable.
(Rev 6/20)
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS – (continued)
III.
U.S. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER &
TAX INFORMATION
Disclosure of your U.S. Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number is mandatory.
Section 30 of the Business and Professions Code and Public Law 94-455 (42 USCA 405 (c)(2)(C)) authorize collection of
your U.S. Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. Your U.S. Social Security Number
or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number will be used exclusively for tax enforcement purposes, for purposes
of compliance with any judgment or order for family support in accordance with Section 11350.6 of the Welfare and
Institutions Code, or for verification of licensure, certification or examination status by a licensing or examination entity
which utilizes a national examination where licensure is reciprocal with the requesting state. If you fail to disclose
your U.S. Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, your application for initial or
renewal license/certification will not be processed. You will also be reported to the Franchise Tax Board, which
may assess a $100 penalty against you. Questions regarding the Franchise Tax Board should be directed to (800)
852-5711.
ALERT: Effective July 1, 2012, the Board of Registered Nursing is required to deny an application for licensure and to
suspend the license/certificate/registration of any applicant or licensee who has outstanding tax obligations due to the
Franchise Tax Board (FTB) or the State Board of Equalization (BOE) and appears on either the FTB or BOE's certified
lists of top 500 tax delinquencies over $100,000. (AB 1424, Perea, Chapter 455, Statutes of 2011).
IV. REPORTING PRIOR DISCIPLINE AGAINST LICENSES/CERTIFICATES
All disciplinary action against an applicant's public health nurse, registered nurse, practical nurse, vocational nurse or
other health care related license or certificate must be reported.
Failure to report prior convictions or disciplinary action is considered falsification of application and is
grounds for denial of licensure/certification or revocation of license/certificate.
When reporting prior disciplinary action, applicants are required to provide a full written explanation of:
circumstances surrounding the disciplinary action(s) and the date of or disciplinary action(s). For disciplinary
proceedings against any license as a RN or any health-care related license; include copies of state board
determinations/decisions, citations and letters of reprimand.
To make a determination in these cases, the Board considers the nature and severity of the offense, additional
subsequent acts, recency of acts or crimes, compliance with court sanctions, and evidence of rehabilitation.
The burden of proof lies with the applicant to demonstrate acceptable documented evidence of rehabilitation. Examples
of rehabilitation evidence include, but are not be limited to:
• Recent, dated letter from applicant describing the event and rehabilitative efforts or changes in life to prevent
future problems or occurrences.
• Recent and signed letters of reference on official letterhead from employers, nursing instructors, health
professionals, professional counselors, parole or probation officers, Support Group Facilitators or sponsors, or
other individuals in positions of authority who are knowledgeable about your rehabilitation efforts.
• Letters from recognized recovery programs and/or counselors attesting to current sobriety and length of time of
sobriety, if there is a history of alcohol or drug abuse.
• Submit copies of recent work evaluations.
• Proof of community work, schooling, self-improvement efforts.
(Rev 6/20)
2
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS – (continued)
All of the above items should be mailed directly to the Board by the individual(s) or agency that is providing information
about the applicant. Have these items sent to the Board of Registered Nursing, Advanced Practice Unit – Public Health
Nurse Certification (PHN), P.O. Box 944210, Sacramento, CA 94244-2100.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide sufficient rehabilitation evidence on a timely basis so that a
certification determination can be made.
An applicant is also required to immediately report, in writing, to the Board any disciplinary action(s) which
occur between the date the application was filed and the date that a California Public Health certificate is
issued. Failure to report this information is grounds for denial of licensure or revocation of license/
certificate.
NOTE: The application must be completed and signed by the applicant under the penalty of perjury.
V. BOARD ADDRESS & WEB SITE INFORMATION
Mailing Address: Advanced Practice Unit – PHN Certification
Board of Registered Nursing
P.O. Box 944210
Sacramento, CA 94244-2100
Street Address for overnight or in-person delivery:
Advanced Practice Unit – PHN Certification
Board of Registered Nursing
1747 N. Market Blvd., Suite 150
Sacramento, CA 95834-1924
Web Site: www.rn.ca.gov
VI. CALIFORNIA NURSING PRACTICE ACT
California statutes and regulations pertaining to Registered Nurses/Public Health Nurses may be obtained by accessing
the Board of Registered Nursing web site at www.rn.ca.gov
(Rev 1/19)
3
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE (PHN) CERTIFICATION
METHOD A
Possession of a baccalaureate or entry-level master’s degree in nursing from a nursing school accredited by the National
League of Nursing (NLN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) which includes coursework in
public health nursing, including a minimum of 90 hours of supervised clinical experience in a public health setting(s).
Documentation submitted directly to the Board of Registered Nursing:
1. Completed Public Health Nurse (PHN) Certification and applicable fee.
2. Request for Transcript form completed by the baccalaureate, entry-level master’s or master’s
academic program. (Page 8)
(NOTE: All out-of-state graduates must have the shaded verification section completed by the
academic program.)
3. Official transcripts for the completed baccalaureate program, entry-level master’s program or
master’s program submitted by the academic program.
4. Verification of training in the detection, prevention, reporting requirements and treatment of child
neglect and abuse which shall be at least 7 hours in length and shall include but not limited to
prevention techniques, early detection techniques, California reporting requirements and
intervention techniques completed in a baccalaureate or specialized program in nursing or a
course approved for continuing education (CE) by the Board of Registered Nursing. The course
must include coverage of the California Reporting Law requirements per Section 11166.5 of the
California Penal Code.
(NOTE: California BSN graduates prior to 1981, must take the 7 hour child abuse/neglect
prevention training course approved by the Board of Registered Nursing.
5. Course descriptions for the completed baccalaureate program, entry-level master’s program or
master’s program. The course descriptions must be for the period of time you attended the
program. (This does not apply to California graduates)
METHOD B
Possession of a baccalaureate or entry-level master’s degree in nursing from a nursing school which has not been NLN or
CCNE accredited which includes course work in public health nursing and includes a minimum of 90 hours of supervised
clinical experience in a public health setting(s).
Documentation submitted directly to the Board of Registered Nursing:
1. Completed Public Health Nurse (PHN) Certification and applicable fee.
2. Request for Transcript form completed by the baccalaureate, entry-level master’s or master’s
academic program. (Page 8)
3. Official transcripts for the completed baccalaureate program, entry-level master’s program or
master’s program submitted by the academic program.
4. Verification of training in the detection, prevention, reporting requirements and treatment of child
neglect and abuse which shall be at least 7 hours in length and shall include but not limited to
prevention techniques, early detection techniques, California reporting requirements and
intervention techniques completed in a baccalaureate or specialized program in nursing or a
course approved for continuing education (CE) by the Board of Registered Nursing. The course
must include coverage of the California Reporting Law requirements per Section 11166.5 of the
California Penal Code.
(Rev 1/19)
4
5.
Course descriptions for the completed baccalaureate program, entry-level master’s program or
master’s program. The course descriptions must be for the period of time you attended the program.
Possession of a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing and completion of a specialized public health nursing
program that includes a minimum of 90 hours of supervised clinical experience in a public health setting(s) associated with
a baccalaureate school of nursing accredited by NLN or CCNE. Work experience is not acceptable.
Documentation submitted directly to the Board of Registered Nursing:
1.
Completed Public Health Nurse (PHN) Certification and applicable fee.
2.
Request for Transcript form completed by the baccalaureate or master’s academic program. (Page
8)
3.
Official transcripts for the completed baccalaureate program or master’s program submitted by the
academic program.
4.
Verification of training in the detection, prevention, reporting requirements and treatment of child
neglect and abuse which shall be at least 7 hours in length and shall include but not limited to
prevention techniques, early detection techniques, California reporting requirements and
intervention techniques completed in a baccalaureate or specialized program in nursing or a course
approved for continuing education (CE) by the Board of Registered Nursing. The course mus
t
inclu
de coverage of the California Reporting Law requirements per Section 11166.5 of the
California Penal Code.
5.
Course descriptions for the completed baccalaureate program or master’s program. The course
descriptions must be for the period of time you attended the program.
PLEASE REFER QUESTIONS REGARDING THE PUBLI
C HEALTH NURSE APPLICATION PROCESS
TO THE ADVANCED PRACTICE UNIT IN SACRAMENTO AT (916) 322-3350.
Notwithstanding any other law, on and after July 1, 2016, a board
within the department shall expedite, and may assist, the
initial licensure process for an applicant who supplies satisfactory evidence to the board that the applicant has served as an
active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States and was honorably discharged (Business and Professions
Code section 115.4.).
If you would like to be considered for this expedited review and process, please provide the following documentation with
your application:
1. Report of Separation form.
The report of separation form issued in most recent years is the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from
Active Duty. Before January 1, 1950, several similar forms were used by the military services, including the WD AGO 53,
WD AGO 55, WD AGO 53-55, NAVPERS 553, NAVMC 78PD and the NAVCG 553.
Information shown on the Report of Separation may include the service member's date and place of entry into active duty,
date and place of release from active duty, last duty assignment and rank, military job specialty, military education, total
creditable service, separation information, etc.
(Rev 1/19)
5
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE (PHN) CERTIFICATION (CONT’D)
METHOD C
VII. HONORABLY DISCHARGED MEMBERS OF THE U.S. ARMED FORCES RECEIVE
EXPEDITED REVIEW
California statutes and regulations pertaining to Registered Nurses/Nurse Practitioners may be obtained by accessing the
Board of Registered Nursing web site at www.rn.ca.gov
Individuals seeking an expedited licensure process as required by Business and Professions Code section 135.4. Beginning
January 1, 2021, individuals in the following categories may have their applications expedited:
1. Refugees pursuant to section 1157 of title 8 of the United States Code;
2. Those granted asylum by the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General of the United States
pursuant to section 1158 of title 8 of the United States Code; or,
3. Individuals with a special immigrant visa that have been granted a status pursuant to section 1244 of Public Law
110-181, Public Law 109-163, or section 602(b) of title VI of division F of Public Law 111-8.
In order to receive the expedited licensure process, individuals must provide evidence of their refugee, asylee, or special
immigrant visa status when submitting their application package. Documentation below are examples that can be used:
Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, with an admission class code such as “RE” (Refugee) or “AY” (Asylee) or
other information designating the person a refugee or asylee.
Special immigrant visa that includes the classification codes of “SI” or “SQ.”
Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), commonly known as a “Green Card,” with a category designation
indicating that the person was admitted as a refugee or asylee.
An order from a court of competent jurisdiction or other documentary evidence that provides reasonable assurance
that the applicant qualifies for expedited licensure.
Failure to provide documentation may result in a delay in expediting the application review.
Please note that this does not mean a license/registration must be issued, but simply that the process will be expedited.
(Rev 1/21)
6
VIII. EXPEDITED LICENSURE PROCESS FOR REFUGEES, ASYLEES, AND HOLDERS OF
SPECIAL IMMIGRANTS VISA (SIVS)
BOARD OF REGISTERED NURSING
PO Box 944210, Sacramento, CA 94244-2100
P (916) 322-3350 F (916) 574-8637 | www.rn.ca.gov
BUSINESS, CONSUMER SERVICES, AND HOUSING AGENCY • GAVIN NEWSOM, GOVERNOR
REQUEST FOR TRANSCRIPT
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE CERTIFICATION
A. TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT
Send this form to your baccalaureate, entry-level masters or master’s school of nursing. If you need to contact more than one school,
this form may be reproduced. Transcripts must include all completed course work and reflect the degree awarded and date conferred.
An official transcript must come directly from the school of nursing to the Board of Registered Nursing. Transcripts are not accepted
from applicants.
NAME: Last First Middle
Previous Names (Including Maiden):
ADDRESS: Street City State Zip Code
U.S. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER or
INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:
BIRTHDATE:
Month Day Year
TELEPHONE NUMBER:
Home: ( )
Work: ( )
NAME OF BSN/ELM/MSN NURSING SCHOOL:
YEARS ATTENDED:
__________ to __________
LOCATION: City State (Country)
YEAR GRADUATED:
SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT: ______________________________________________ DATE: ______________________
B. TO BE COMPLETED BY THE SCHOOL OF NURSING
The above applicant has applied for Public Health Nurse Certification in California. Please supply the following
information and attach an official transcript.
ENTRANCE DATE:
DATE DEGREE AWARDED:
TYPE OF DEGREE AWARDED:
OUT-OF-STATE GRADUATES ONLY
Is this school NLN accredited?
Yes
No
If yes, when:
Is this school CCNE accredited?
Yes
No
If yes, when:
Was the school accredited at the time of applicant’s graduation?
Yes
No
SIGNATURE OF SCHOOL
OFFICIAL:
TELEPHONE: ( )
NAME & TITLE:
DATE:
7
BUSINESS, CONSUMER SERVICES, AND HOUSING AGENCY • GAVIN NEWSOM, GOVERNOR
BOARD OF REGISTERED NURSING
PO Box 944210, Sacramento, CA 94244-2100
P (916) 322-3350 F (916) 574-8637 | www.rn.ca.gov
INFORMATION COLLECTION AND ACCESS
The Information Practices Act, Section 1798.17 Civil Code, requires the following
information to be provided when collecting information from individuals.
Agency Name:
BOARD OF REGISTERED NURSING
Title of official responsible for information maintenance:
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Address: Telephone Number:
P.O. BOX 944210, SACRAMENTO, CA 94244-2100 (916) 322-3350
Authority which authorizes the maintenance of the information:
SECTION 30, SECTION 2732.1(a), BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE
ALL INFORMATION IS MANDATORY.
The consequences, if any of not providing all or any part of the requested information:
FAILURE T
O PROVIDE ANY OF THE REQUESTED INFORMATION WILL RESULT IN THE
APPLICATION BEING REJECTED AS INCOMPLETE.
The principal purpose(s) for which the information is to be used:
TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY FOR LICENSURE. YOUR U.S. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR
INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WILL BE USED FOR PURPOSES OF TAX
ENFORCEMENT, CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT AND VERIFICATION OF LICENSURE AND
EXAMINATION STATUS. SECTION 30 OF THE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE AND PUBLIC LAW
94-455 (42 USCA 405(c)(2)(C)) AUTHORIZE COLLECTION OF YOUR U.S. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.
IF YOU FAIL TO DISCLOSE YOUR U.S. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, YOU WILL BE REPORTED TO THE FRANCHISE TAX BOARD, WHICH MAY
ASSESS A $100 PENALTY AGAINST YOU. YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS LISTED ON THIS
APPLICATION WILL BE DISCLOSED TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST IF AND WHEN YOU BECOME
LICENSED.
Any known or foreseeable interagency or intergovernmental transfer which may be made of the
information:
POSSIBLE TRANSFER TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND
REPORTING U.S. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER TO THE FRANCHISE TAX BOARD OR FOR CHILD SUPPORT
ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES PURSUANT TO SECTION 30 OF THE BUSINESS AND
PROFESSIONS CODE.
EACH INDIVIDUAL HAS THE RIGHT TO REVIEW THE FILES ON RECORDS MAINTAINED ON
THEM BY THE AGENCY, UNLESS THE RECORDS ARE EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE.
(Rev 03/13) 8
MANDATORY REPORTER
Under California law each person licensed by the Board of Registered Nursing is a “Mandated
Reporter” for child abuse or neglect purposes. Prior to commencing his or her employment, and
as a prerequisite to that employment, all mandated reporters must sign a statement on a form
provided to him or her by his or her employer to the effect that he or she has knowledge of the
provisions of Section 11166 and will comply with those provisions.
California Penal Code Section 11166 requires that all mandated reporters make a report to an
agency specified in Penal Code Section 11165.9 [generally law enforcement agencies] whenever
the mandated reporter, in his or her professional capacity or within the scope of his or her
employment, has knowledge of or observes a child whom the mandated reporter knows or
reasonably suspects has been the victim of child abuse or neglect. The mandated reporter must
make a report to the agency immediately or as soon as is practicably possible by telephone, and
the mandated reporter must prepare and send a written report thereof within 36 hours of receiving
the information concerning the incident.
Failure to comply with the requirements of Section 11166 is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to
six months in a county jail, by a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both imprisonment
and fine.
For further details about these requirements, consult Penal Code Section 11164, and subsequent
sections.
(Rev 03/13) 9
