California Nursing License Renewal: 3 Steps

Is it time to complete your California nursing license renewal? CNAs, LVNs, RNs, and APRNs need to maintain their credentials in order to continue practicing in the Golden State. The good news is that the process is fairly straightforward, and if you track your renewal deadline, you’ll likely have a stress-free process.

With nearly 39 million residents, California is the most populous state and has a lot of people who need care. In fact, healthcare practitioners and technical occupations are among the 10 job categories with the state’s highest employment levels. To learn more about general nursing regulations in this state, explore our article on the California Nurse Practice Act.

California’s nursing organizations are run differently from other states. The California Board of Registered Nursing outlines the requirements for CA RN renewal and APRN renewals, while the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) manages LVN license renewal. CA CNAs have an entirely separate process managed by the California Department of Public Health’s Healthcare Professional Certification and Training Section (HPCTS).

California Nursing Facts

If you’re hoping to have a successful nursing career or earn an advanced healthcare degree in California, here are some resources that might come in handy.

Is California part of the nursing licensure compact (NLC)?

No, you’ll need a CA license to practice.

How much do nurses in California earn?

• The average CNA salary in California is $48,790 per year.
• The average LVN salary in California is $79,090 per year.
• The average RN salary in California is $148,330 per year.
• The average NP salary in California is $173,190 per year.

How can I contact the California Board of Nursing?

California Board of Registered Nursing Phone Number: 916-322-3350

Website: https://www.rn.ca.gov/

California Board of Registered Nursing Mailing Address:
Board of Registered Nursing
PO Box 944210
Sacramento, CA 94244-2100

Physical Address:
Board of Registered Nursing
1747 N. Market Blvd., Suite 150
Sacramento, CA 95834-1924

California BVNPT Phone Number: 916-263-7800

Website: https://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/

California BVNPT Address
2535 Capitol Oaks Drive
Suite 205
Sacramento, CA 95833

Healthcare Professional Certification and Training Section (HPCTS)
P.O. Box 997416, MS 3301
Sacramento, CA 95899-7416

California Nurse License Verification: https://www.rn.ca.gov/online/verify.shtml

California Nursing License Renewal Process

If you practice nursing in California, follow the steps below. If you’re not practicing in California, use these links:

• RN license by endorsement
• RN license by examination
• LVN license by endorsement
• LVN license by examination

Step 1: Determine Your Renewal Deadline

To begin a California Board of Nursing license renewal, you need to know when your current license expires:

• CNAs: Renewals are required every 2 years. You may renew your certificate any time within 2 years after the expiration date.
• LVNs: Renewals are required every 2 years, from the date of your last renewal. Renewal notices are mailed 6 weeks before your license expiration date.
• RNs: When you receive your initial RN license, it’s valid for 2 birthdays (not 2 years). It expires on the last day of the month following your birth date. You can expect to receive a renewal notice in the mail approximately 3 months before your license expires.
• APRNs: Renewal deadlines correspond with your RN renewal date. Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse (PMH) certificates are automatically renewed in conjunction with the RN license, but nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists must renew separately.

Step 2: Satisfy Continuing Education Requirements

Along with submitting a California nurse license renewal application, you must complete continuing education requirements.

• CNA requirements: Complete 48 hours of in-service training/approved continuing education; work as a CNA under the supervision of a licensed health professional within your most recent renewal period.
• LVN requirements: Complete 30 approved contact hours. Note that this is not required for your first renewal cycle.
• RN requirements: Complete 30 approved contact hours. This is not required during the first two years after your initial licensure. However, you must complete 1 hour of Implicit Bias training.
• APRNs: California does not require additional CEs for APRNs, but you will need to maintain your RN standing and national certification, which typically requires continuing education. NPs caring for a primarily geriatric population must use at least 6 hours from their RN CEU requirement towards education on the care of older adults.

Need to find a resource for continuing education? Have a look at courses at IntelyEdu, which is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Step 3: File Your California Nursing License Renewal Online

CNA: Complete the Renewal Application Form through the Department of Public Health site. You’ll also need to provide proof of your CEU completion. Submit this information to the online portal, or mail it to the HPCTS office. There are no renewal fees for CNAs in California.

LVNs, RNs and NPs: The Department of Consumer Affairs has a detailed guide to walk you through the California Board of Nursing license renewal process. Start by going to the BreEZe online services site. If you’re a new user, follow the registration steps. Otherwise, log in using your credentials — you should then see the Quick Start Menu on your screen.

In the License Activities section, it will say “It’s time to renew!” above your license number if it’s within 90 days of expiration. Click “Select” to proceed. Carefully read the next few pages and answer the questions when prompted. You will need to enter information from your CEU certificate, so be sure to have it handy. Eventually you will reach the Application Summary page. If the information is correct, you can click “Proceed to Payment.”

The California Board of Nursing license renewal fee structure is as follows:

• LVN renewal fee: $305
• RN renewal fee: $190
• APRNs: $150

Once payment has been received, you will see the Successful Payment screen. Print a receipt for your records. You can verify your license’s status via BreEZe.

Great Areas in California for Nursing Jobs

Consider looking for work in areas with big populations, such as:

• Los Angeles
• San Diego
• San Jose
• San Francisco
• Fresno

Alternatively, you can search for roles by title in California:

• CNA jobs in California
• LVN jobs in California
• RN jobs in California
• NP jobs in California

These Facilities in California Are Hiring Now

• Cedars-Sinai Hospital
• Huntington Health
• John Muir Health
• Kaiser Permanente
• Scripps Health
• Sharp Healthcare
• Stanford Health Care
• Torrance Memorial Medical Center
• UCSF Health

Find Top California Nursing Jobs

After completing your California nursing license renewal, could you use some help looking for work? Check out all nursing jobs in California that are available on IntelyCare right now, and find the one that is the best fit for you.