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Arizona vs California for RN Licensing

Total Fees
$400
AZ
vs
$549
CA
Timeline
2-4 wks
AZ
vs
10-12 wks
CA
Renewal Fee
$160
AZ
vs
$190
CA

Side-by-Side Comparison

Category Arizona California
Total Fees $400 $549
Application Fee $150 $300
Exam Fee $200 $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks 10-12 weeks
Renewal Cycle 4 years 2 years
Renewal Fee $160 $190
CE Hours N/A 30 hrs
NLC Compact Member Yes No

Key Differences

Cost

Arizona is $149 cheaper for initial licensing fees.

Winner: Arizona

Processing Speed

Arizona processes applications in 2-4 weeks.

Winner: Arizona

NLC Compact

Arizona is an NLC compact state, allowing practice in 40+ states with one license.

Winner: Arizona

Renewal Cost

Arizona has lower renewal fees at $160 per cycle.

Winner: Arizona

Category Winners

Lower Cost
Arizona $400
vs California ($549)
Faster Processing
Arizona 2-4 wks
vs California (10-12 wks)
Cheaper Renewal
Arizona $160
vs California ($190)

Arizona Board

Arizona State Board of Nursing

Official Website →

California Board

California Board of Registered Nursing

Official Website →

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Compare Arizona RN License

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