Moving between states / California
Coloradoto
California, CNAMoving from Colorado to California as a certified nursing assistant
What a certified nursing assistant licensed in Colorado has to do to work in California, what the move does to your pay, and who in California is hiring from out of state.
Transfers by reciprocity. Your Colorado certificate stays on the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Nurse Aide Registry; to work in California you apply to the California Department of Public Health, Aide and Technician Certification Section for reciprocity. Reciprocity needs an active certificate in good standing and recent paid nurse aide work; California issues its own certificate rather than endorsing yours. Most registries list you within two to six weeks.
What the move does to your paycheck
On a $60,000 salary California takes roughly $2,946 a year more than Colorado does.
| Salary | Colorado state tax | California state tax | Difference a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $1,760 | $3,724 | -$1,964 |
| $60,000 | $2,640 | $5,586 | -$2,946 |
| $90,000 | $3,960 | $8,379 | -$4,419 |
Rough figures for a single filer: exact in the flat-rate and no-tax states, approximated at 70% of the top bracket in the progressive ones. In California: plus a 1.1% payroll tax for disability insurance. Property and sales tax are not in it.
RN and LPN: Colorado to California
Endorsement needed. California is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so your Colorado multistate licence does not work there. Apply to the California Board of Nursing for licensure by endorsement before you move; it commonly takes six to twelve weeks. Your Colorado licence stays valid for compact states.
Electrician: Colorado to California
Exam required. California licenses electricians through the Division of Industrial Relations (certification) and Contractors State License Board (C-10) and does not reciprocate with any state. Your Colorado hours count toward eligibility, so get them certified in writing by the Colorado State Electrical Board (DORA) before you move and book the California exam early.
CDL: Colorado to California
Transfers at the DMV. A commercial driver's licence transfers like any licence: within 30 days of becoming a California resident you surrender the Colorado CDL at a California driver licence office, pass the vision test, pay the fee, and your endorsements carry over. A hazmat endorsement needs a fresh TSA threat assessment in California. Your driving record follows you through the federal CDLIS system.
Does California pay you to come?
No statewide program in California pays people to move in. Towns sometimes list an offer through MakeMyMove, and employers in short-staffed trades pay relocation themselves; ask for it in writing before you accept.
Openings filed in California
337 open positions filed with the Department of Labor by California employers who could not fill them locally.
- Sr Software Engineer - Backend, Consumer Structural PricingUber · San Francisco
- Senior Banker -Hollywood area - Bilingual Korean requiredBank of America · Los Angeles
- Senior Regional Manager, Air FreightFlexport · Los Angeles
- Customs Specialist - Join Our Talent CommunityFlexport · Los Angeles
- QA Engineer II - VALORANT, Organized PlayRiot Games · Los Angeles
- Senior Security Engineer, Player SecurityRiot Games · Los Angeles
Your own route from Colorado to California
Tell us your trade and your licence. We write the steps for your case, check the job offer for scams, and keep your resume ready for California employers.
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RN or LPN: Colorado to California · Electrician: Colorado to California · Truck driver: Colorado to California · All licences: Colorado to California
From Colorado to the states next to California
Oregon (progressive, top rate 9.9%) · Nevada (no state income tax) · Arizona (flat 2.5% state income tax)
To California from the states next to Colorado
Wyoming · Nebraska · Kansas · Oklahoma · New Mexico · Arizona · Utah
Everything about working in California · All moves between states · All 50 states