BRN-Approved.
NCLEX-Eligible.
United Nursing College's Associate Degree in Nursing program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), which means our graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for their RN license.
The short answer most students are looking for
You do not need to graduate from an accredited program to take the NCLEX-RN in California. What the state requires is that you graduate from a nursing program approved by the BRN, and UNC's program is.
Your path to licensure
The BRN is the state agency that licenses registered nurses in California. Its approval of our program is what connects your UNC degree to the NCLEX-RN and then your license.
Enroll
Join UNC's BRN-approved ADN program.
Graduate
Complete the program and earn your Associate Degree in Nursing.
Sit for the NCLEX-RN
As a graduate of a BRN-approved program, you're eligible to take the exam.
Earn your RN license
Pass the NCLEX-RN and receive your California RN license from the BRN.
All applicants for RN licensure must also meet the BRN's standard requirements, such as the application and background check, which apply to graduates of every California nursing program.
Approval vs. accreditation
Approval and accreditation are two separate reviews of a school. Here’s who handles each one and what it means for you.
BRN Approval
- Who grants it
- The California Board of Registered Nursing, the state agency that licenses RNs.
- Is it required?
- Yes. A prelicensure nursing program must be BRN-approved to operate in California.
- What it means for you
- Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN and apply for an RN license.
Accreditation
- Who grants it
- An independent, non-governmental accrediting commission.
- Is it required?
- Not for the NCLEX-RN. Accreditation is not what qualifies graduates to sit for the exam in California. Separately, the state requires new private degree-granting schools like UNC to work toward accreditation under an approved plan, which is the process we're in now.
- What it means for you
- An added, outside review of a school's quality and outcomes, on top of state approval.
Good to know
While UNC is not yet accredited, students are not eligible for federal financial aid programs, and a degree from an institution that is not yet accredited may not be recognized for some employment positions, including positions with the State of California, at the employer's discretion. If you have specific plans in mind, our team is happy to talk them through with you.
Where UNC stands today
Program approval
Our ADN program is approved by the BRN, so our graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.
Approval to operate
- Provisional approval granted 2/24/2023 by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) to operate as an institution of higher learning and to offer an ADN to BSN bachelor's degree, pursuant to California Education Code §94885.5. The Bureau also approved the institution's accreditation plan pursuant to California Code of Regulations §71105.
- BPPE approval means the institution complies with state standards set out in the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009. The BPPE protects students and consumers through oversight of California's private postsecondary institutions.
Accreditation
In May 2025, our program was officially granted candidacy for accreditation, meaning we met the initial requirements to move forward and are now undergoing ongoing evaluation. If accreditation is granted, we expect a decision between January and June 2027.
Accreditation FAQ
Can I take the NCLEX-RN if UNC isn't accredited yet?
Yes. Eligibility to sit for the NCLEX-RN in California comes from graduating from a program approved by the Board of Registered Nursing, not from accreditation. UNC's ADN program is BRN-approved, so our graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.
Is United Nursing College accredited?
Right now, we are not formally accredited, but we are approved by the Board of Registered Nursing, which means our graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.
In May 2025, our program was officially granted candidacy for accreditation, which is an important step in that process. We're currently undergoing ongoing evaluation as part of that review.
When will UNC be accredited?
We're currently undergoing ongoing evaluation as part of the accreditation review. While accreditation is not guaranteed and the final decision is made by the accrediting body, if it is granted, we would expect a decision sometime between January and June 2027.
What is the likelihood that UNC will be accredited?
Accreditation decisions are made entirely by the accrediting commission, so we're not able to predict or guarantee an outcome. What we can share is that we've been granted candidacy status, which means we've met the initial requirements to move forward in the accreditation process and are actively undergoing evaluation.
What happens if UNC does not receive accreditation?
UNC is provisionally approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) to offer degree programs. To keep offering them, we must become institutionally accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. UNC has been granted accreditation candidacy, and the BPPE requires full accreditation by 4/24/2028.
If UNC stopped pursuing accreditation, we would be required to stop all enrollment in our degree programs and provide a teach-out so students can finish their educational program, or provide a refund. If the requirements are not met by the required dates, UNC's approval to offer degree programs would be automatically suspended.
Eligible California students are also protected by the state's Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF), which can reimburse economic losses if a program closes or is discontinued. Full details are in our course catalog.
If I graduate before UNC is accredited, will my degree reflect accreditation later?
Accreditation only becomes effective on the official date set by the Commission. If accreditation is awarded, students who graduate on or after that effective date would be considered graduates of an accredited program.
Students who graduate before that date, including those who graduate during the candidacy period, would graduate from a program that is actively pursuing accreditation but is not yet accredited. Their eligibility to sit for the NCLEX-RN, which comes from our BRN approval, is not affected.
What's the difference between BRN approval and BPPE approval?
The BRN approves nursing programs and licenses registered nurses, so BRN approval is what makes our graduates eligible for the NCLEX-RN. The BPPE approves private institutions to operate in California and to offer their degrees. UNC holds both.
Verify our approvals
You don't have to take our word for it. These official sources and disclosures are available to every student.
Still have questions?
Our admissions team will walk you through exactly what BRN approval and our accreditation status mean for your plans. Call (951) 526-1033 or reach out below.