Applying for:

Preliminary School Nurse Services Credential

Allows you to:

Serve as a School Nurse.

A red octagon shape surrounded by a gray border Before You Apply

You will need to obtain your fingerprint clearance specifically for the Commission. If you already have valid fingerprints on file with the Commission, it is not necessary to fingerprint each time you apply for a credential or permit. However, if your fingerprints are expired then you must re-establish fingerprints. Details on how to check your fingerprint status can be found at Check Application Status.

The online application will require you to answer questions related to your professional fitness. Please review How to Complete the CTC Online Professional Fitness Questions before completing the application. If you must answer "yes" to any of the professional fitness questions, please gather all documentation, including any required police reports, certified court records, and miscellaneous documents related to the incident and have them ready to upload as attachments along with the materials for verifying academic requirements listed below. If any of the records have been purged or are otherwise not available, provide an original statement from the agency on its official letterhead verifying that fact.

A green circle surrounded by a gray ring Ready to Apply?

The items below are required for this application. The Commission reserves the right to request the original(s) of any supporting documentation by mail to ensure authenticity.


ItemImportant Details and Tips
Transcripts showing conferral of a bachelor's degree or higher
  • The college or university must be regionally accredited.
  • If you earned your degree outside of the U.S., you cannot provide the official transcripts. You must obtain a foreign transcript evaluation from an approved agency.
  • Submitting paper transcripts or foreign transcript evaluations:
    • Upload a scan of the original, official paper transcripts or foreign transcript evaluation. Clear photographs will also be accepted. All pages, front and back, must be included in the upload.
  • Submitting electronic transcripts or foreign transcript evaluations:
    • Upload the original file sent to you by the college, transcript service provider, or foreign transcript evaluation agency.
      Registered Nurse License issued by the State of California

      Important Notes:

      • This checklist is ONLY for submission of an online application.
      • This web-based checklist is a guide and does not need to be uploaded with the online application.
      • If you are granted a Preliminary School Nurse Credential, you must complete a Commission-approved Clear School Nurse Services Credential program and two years of successful experience as a school nurse to obtain your Clear School Nurse Services Credential. Enrollment is expected upon placement in an school nurse position and the program typically takes two years to complete.
      • Full details on qualifying for the Preliminary School Nurse Services credential can be found on CL-380 under the section Requirements for the Preliminary Credential.
      Updated December 05, 2025