I'm really starting to get worried about the status of my pending license.

[Foxhound3857]

After completing my clinicals at Victor Valley Global Medical Center, I got my certificate for Phlebotomy Tech 1 from AUMT and was finally able to apply to the state for my license. I submitted all of the documents requested for consideration, my AUMT certificate, my NHA certificate for passing the state exam, my externship papers signed off by an attending, and a copy of my sealed High School Transcript through Parchment.

I applied on the 11th of August, and received word on the 17th of August that my Transcript had been mailed out to the address on file.

Then on the 20th of August I receive a deficiency notice from CDPH stating that they have not received my Transcript, and since then my license application has been in limbo, pending awaiting documents.

For weeks now I've been trying to personally reach out to the California Department of Public Health in Richmond to talk to somebody about this, find out why they have not received my Transcript and what I could do about it. Week after week I've spent entire mornings on hold trying to get through to someone, only to have the call disconnected after waiting more than two hours on hold. I've sent emails to the department, and recently I even filed a support ticket, and none of them have been responded to.

Finally, after talking with my sponsor at AUMT, they recommended that I mail in my Transcript again, this time personally. It was sealed so that is not an issue, I sent it via Fedex Express Certified, paid a whooping $32 to have it mailed out, and according to the tracking it arrived at its destination yesterday.

I'm still pending awaiting documents according to the website and I'm hoping now that I've mailed it out personally and someone had to actually sign for it that they received it, that things will resolve themselves now, but I'm still very skeptical and nervous about this. If I don't hear back from them in four weeks I'll have to apply for my license again, which means paying the $100 application fee and sending out new copies of my transcript again, and wait out the 4-8 week process again.

Why am I not able to get through to these people? I know it's the department of public health, but they can't possibly be THIS overwhelmed with incoming calls, so much so that they cannot respond to a simple email or a ticket. Why has this turned into such a headache?

 

[low-key]

After completing my clinicals at Victor Valley Global Medical Center, I got my certificate for Phlebotomy Tech 1 from AUMT and was finally able to apply to the state for my license. I submitted all of the documents requested for consideration, my AUMT certificate, my NHA certificate for passing the state exam, my externship papers signed off by an attending, and a copy of my sealed High School Transcript through Parchment.

I applied on the 11th of August, and received word on the 17th of August that my Transcript had been mailed out to the address on file.

Then on the 20th of August I receive a deficiency notice from CDPH stating that they have not received my Transcript, and since then my license application has been in limbo, pending awaiting documents.

For weeks now I've been trying to personally reach out to the California Department of Public Health in Richmond to talk to somebody about this, find out why they have not received my Transcript and what I could do about it. Week after week I've spent entire mornings on hold trying to get through to someone, only to have the call disconnected after waiting more than two hours on hold. I've sent emails to the department, and recently I even filed a support ticket, and none of them have been responded to.

Finally, after talking with my sponsor at AUMT, they recommended that I mail in my Transcript again, this time personally. It was sealed so that is not an issue, I sent it via Fedex Express Certified, paid a whooping $32 to have it mailed out, and according to the tracking it arrived at its destination yesterday.

I'm still pending awaiting documents according to the website and I'm hoping now that I've mailed it out personally and someone had to actually sign for it that they received it, that things will resolve themselves now, but I'm still very skeptical and nervous about this. If I don't hear back from them in four weeks I'll have to apply for my license again, which means paying the $100 application fee and sending out new copies of my transcript again, and wait out the 4-8 week process again.

Why am I not able to get through to these people? I know it's the department of public health, but they can't possibly be THIS overwhelmed with incoming calls, so much so that they cannot respond to a simple email or a ticket. Why has this turned into such a headache?

I so feel your pain, everyone is inept and this is important, and somewhere some idiot doesnt care

 

[Foxhound3857]

I so feel your pain, everyone is inept and this is important, and somewhere some idiot doesnt care

I don't necessarily see it that way so much as just another possible complication brought on by covid, or that they really are just so busy that they haven't gotten around to it, but I would think they'd at least respond to something as simple as an email or a ticket and at least give me an update. I worked hard to make this happen and I'm ready to start making a career out of it.

 

[low-key]

I don't necessarily see it that way so much as just another possible complication brought on by covid, or that they really are just so busy that they haven't gotten around to it, but I would think they'd at least respond to something as simple as an email or a ticket and at least give me an update. I worked hard to make this happen and I'm ready to start making a career out of it.

I see stupid people, lol

 

[Kittyblue]

CDPH was impossible to get on the phone years ago, long before covid. Wishing you luck on getting it all resolved quickly.

 

[Foxhound3857]

CDPH was impossible to get on the phone years ago, long before covid. Wishing you luck on getting it all resolved quickly.

Do they really have THAT many people flooding their call center on a daily basis?

 

[sasywtch]

I was someone who worked for the Dept of Consumer Affairs in CA for 20 years. If you do get ahold of someone on the phone, please don't yell at them. I can guarantee you, it's not their fault. We were 9 months behind in evaluating applications so you can imagine what our phone people went through. We had 3, yes 3 phone people to answer our calls plus they had to wait on people at the counter. I believe now the new system they instituted right before I left, you can now check your app online which is good. Anyway, if you haven't gotten an answer, email or call your governor's office. I know managers in CA do NOT want a call from the governor's assistant and they have to respond within 3 working days to the governor that the issue is resolved. As the lead, I was always the one to research and give the info to the manager so she could email the governor. Not once was I angry at the person unless it was a PITA that we constantly tried to help but they wouldn't listen. In your situation, I would find the transcript, enter the data, approve the application so our manager could tell the governor's office you were approved.

 

[AgentMama]

The USPS is really a disaster these days, it might be possible that your transcripts truly haven't arrived. Maybe consider having them resent? Are your transcripts in a different last name than your license application? Maybe they haven't been matched up appropriately? I think the PP's suggestion of reaching out to your state governor is a good one. Good luck getting this resolved and good luck in your new career!

 

[mamamary]

My dd is getting licensed for speech pathology and it boggles my mind how difficult it is to work with the people licensing you. If she (and I) weren’t all over them she would not have gotten it. Still waiting on return phone calls and emails. So unfortunately I know how you feel.

 

[Foxhound3857]

The USPS is really a disaster these days, it might be possible that your transcripts truly haven't arrived. Maybe consider having them resent? Are your transcripts in a different last name than your license application? Maybe they haven't been matched up appropriately? I think the PP's suggestion of reaching out to your state governor is a good one. Good luck getting this resolved and good luck in your new career!

According to the tracking number on the receipt, it says it was delivered Thursday morning in Richmond, CA.

 

[Foxhound3857]

Has anybody else had to work with the California Department of Public Health to get licensing for their career?

I sent another copy of my transcript last week, paid $32 to have it sent Certified Express, and according to the receipt it was delivered to Richmond, CA ahead of schedule, yet I checked again this morning and my application still says "Pending Awaiting Documents."

I'm really starting to get scared now. Nobody will answer the phone, nobody will respond to my emails or my tickets, it's like nobody even exists there. But they were sure quick to take my money.

 

[kdonnel]

Your just dealing with the speed of business, government business at that.

Edited to add:
Perhaps everyone is working from home and only come in to collect the mail once or twice a month?

 

[Southernmiss]

I have heard that many government agencies are taking forever to respond across Federal and numerous different states.

Have you reached out to your school or other students to see if others have had these same issues and if they have any suggestions for you?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Do you require a fingerprint check? Federal agencies are behind and working through COVID related backlogs and shifting some employees to at-home work. State agencies likely the same.

Try an inquiry via your Senator or Congressional representative.

 

[nicolita3]

Has anybody else had to work with the California Department of Public Health to get licensing for their career?

I sent another copy of my transcript last week, paid $32 to have it sent Certified Express, and according to the receipt it was delivered to Richmond, CA ahead of schedule, yet I checked again this morning and my application still says "Pending Awaiting Documents."

I'm really starting to get scared now. Nobody will answer the phone, nobody will respond to my emails or my tickets, it's like nobody even exists there. But they were sure quick to take my money.

I have heard from nurse it can take forever to get their license in California... not sure if it's different for your program. I know some nurses test for their license and it takes months to hear back about their results when in other states it's just a matter of days.

 

[prairie_girl]

Has anybody else had to work with the California Department of Public Health to get licensing for their career?

I sent another copy of my transcript last week, paid $32 to have it sent Certified Express, and according to the receipt it was delivered to Richmond, CA ahead of schedule, yet I checked again this morning and my application still says "Pending Awaiting Documents."

I'm really starting to get scared now. Nobody will answer the phone, nobody will respond to my emails or my tickets, it's like nobody even exists there. But they were sure quick to take my money.

Imagine your story x10000. Processing takes time. Just because it was delivered yesterday doesn’t mean yours will be on the top of the pile. People are doing their best and believe me, it’s sucks to talk to people who blame you for something that is way out of your hands.

 

[leebee]

Still waiting for my tax return, I feel your frustration.

 

[Foxhound3857]

Imagine your story x10000. Processing takes time. Just because it was delivered yesterday doesn’t mean yours will be on the top of the pile. People are doing their best and believe me, it’s sucks to talk to people who blame you for something that is way out of your hands.

So if I just wait this out, it will eventually get resolved?

Supposedly, if they haven't received the necessary documents within 60 days of the application date, then it gets abandoned and I have to file all over again, fee included. That's what I'm worried about here.

 

[prairie_girl]

So if I just wait this out, it will eventually get resolved?

Supposedly, if they haven't received the necessary documents within 60 days of the application date, then it gets abandoned and I have to file all over again, fee included. That's what I'm worried about here.

It’s impossible to say. Even if you were able to get someone on the phone, they wouldn’t be able to say either. Customer service 101 is to avoid promising or guaranteeing anything. If someone I’m talking to asks for a callback, I can’t tell them someone will. I say I will make the request that someone calls them back.

I completely understand the worry about having to repay the fee. I’d say, give it a week and if you still don’t have an answer, dedicate however many hours it takes to get through to someone.

 

[Foxhound3857]

It’s impossible to say. Even if you were able to get someone on the phone, they wouldn’t be able to say either. Customer service 101 is to avoid promising or guaranteeing anything. If someone I’m talking to asks for a callback, I can’t tell them someone will. I say I will make the request that someone calls them back.

I completely understand the worry about having to repay the fee. I’d say, give it a week and if you still don’t have an answer, dedicate however many hours it takes to get through to someone.

Alright, if I still haven't heard anything by Monday 20th I'll start assaulting the phone lines again.

I'm just so frustrated that I couldn't get through to anyone in the 12 hours I've been on hold, across four days. It's like nobody is even in the building.