Moving between states / California
Wisconsinto
California, CNAMoving from Wisconsin to California as a certified nursing assistant
What a certified nursing assistant licensed in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin certificate stays on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry (Department of Health Services); 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 $2,373 a year more than Wisconsin does.
| Salary | Wisconsin state tax | California state tax | Difference a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $2,142 | $3,724 | -$1,582 |
| $60,000 | $3,213 | $5,586 | -$2,373 |
| $90,000 | $4,819 | $8,379 | -$3,560 |
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: Wisconsin to California
Endorsement needed. California is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so your Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin licence stays valid for compact states.
Electrician: Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin hours count toward eligibility, so get them certified in writing by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services before you move and book the California exam early.
CDL: Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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: Wisconsin to California · Electrician: Wisconsin to California · Truck driver: Wisconsin to California · All licences: Wisconsin to California
From Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
Michigan · Minnesota · Iowa · Illinois
Everything about working in California · All moves between states · All 50 states