California licensing facts
How regulation is organized
California Board of Registered Nursing regulates the credentials recorded for California: RN, Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse-Midwife, Public Health Nurse. Public status checks use License verification; renewal uses License renewal. The recorded renewal schedule is Every two years The compact classification shown for this review is Non-compact jurisdiction.
Public verification
License verification is the reviewed public verification route for California. The destination is hosted on www.rn.ca.gov. Search the exact credential, then compare status, expiration, record date, and public restrictions before relying on the result.
Renewal timing
For California, the recorded renewal cycle is Every two years The named renewal route is License renewal. The current fee summary is Timely RN renewal: $190; delinquent RN renewal: $280..
CE or competence
The reviewed California continuing-education or competence rule is: 30 contact hours every two years for active RN renewal. The record-retention or audit note is: The Board can require proof of completion; do not rely only on a course-provider dashboard..
| Reviewed field | Current dataset value |
|---|---|
| Authority | California Board of Registered Nursing |
| Public verification | DCA License Search |
| Renewal cycle | Every two years |
| Renewal deadline | Renew before the expiration date shown on the license record. |
| Continuing competence | 30 contact hours every two years for active RN renewal. |
| Fees | Timely RN renewal: $190; delinquent RN renewal: $280. |
| Compact status | Non-compact jurisdiction |
| Credentials | RN, Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse-Midwife, Public Health Nurse |
| Phone | 916-322-3350 |
| Physical location | 1747 North Market Boulevard, Suite 150, Sacramento, CA 95834-1924 |
| Mailing address | PO Box 944210, Sacramento, CA 94244-2100 |
| Primary official domains | www.rn.ca.gov |
How to verify a California nursing license
License verification is the reviewed public verification route for California. The destination is hosted on www.rn.ca.gov. Search the exact credential, then compare status, expiration, record date, and public restrictions before relying on the result. Renewal-related transactions use License renewal.
Read the detailed lookup and troubleshooting guide
How to interpret the result
| Field | Meaning | Risk to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| California credential type | Confirm the exact credential among RN, Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse-Midwife, Public Health Nurse; the same person may hold more than one license, approval, certificate or permit. | For California, treating an RN result as proof of APRN, assistant, certificate, permit or prescriptive authority. |
| Current status | Read the exact status wording published by California Board of Registered Nursing, including active, inactive, expired, lapsed, probationary, suspended, revoked or restricted. | For California, assuming that a record appearing in search means the person may currently practice. |
| Expiration / renewal timing | Every two years. Renew before the expiration date shown on the license record. | For California, using a wallet card, employer roster or old screenshot instead of the live record. |
| Multistate designation | California is recorded as a non-compact jurisdiction. A nurse normally needs the license or other authority required by California; an out-of-state compact license should not be assumed to replace that requirement. | For California, assuming compact membership automatically makes every license multistate or survives a permanent residence move. |
| Public discipline or restrictions | Review public orders or restrictions linked by California Board of Registered Nursing, DCA License Search or Nursys when applicable. | Checking only expiration while ignoring conditions that limit practice. |
| Verification date | The result supports a decision as of the date it was checked. Record the live California verification date. | For California, reusing an undated or stale printout for a new employment or credentialing decision. |
California nursing license renewal
Named renewal system: BreEZe-linked renewal services.
- Confirm that the RN license is eligible for online renewal.
- Complete the required 30 contact hours before renewal.
- Review fingerprint and disclosure requirements that may apply to the license.
- Submit the renewal through the official BreEZe route and pay the current fee.
- Verify the updated license status through DCA License Search.
Renewal cautions
- A lapsed license can require additional steps; licenses lapsed longer than eight years have special competency requirements.
- Fees are non-refundable once received by the Board.
- Prescribing-related certificates can include an additional CURES assessment.
Continuing education or continuing competence
30 contact hours every two years for active RN renewal.
- Use a California BRN-approved continuing education provider.
- Keep completion records for the period required by the Board.
- Additional certificate-specific requirements may apply.
Records and audits: The Board can require proof of completion; do not rely only on a course-provider dashboard.
California license by endorsement
The reviewed California credential set is RN, Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse-Midwife, Public Health Nurse. Use License verification for the public record and License renewal for renewal-related work. Do not infer an advanced-practice, assistant, certificate, permit, or compact privilege from a different credential record; Non-compact jurisdiction. The public record host is www.rn.ca.gov, and the recorded renewal schedule is Every two years
No direct endorsement URL is recorded; use the detailed checklist below.
National verification and compact status
Non-compact jurisdiction
California is classified as Non-compact jurisdiction. The recorded renewal cycle is Every two years and the authority model is State nursing regulatory board. Confirm primary residence, the exact license designation, and restrictions in the current official record before relying on compact authority.
Published fee records
| Transaction | Credential | Amount | Source note |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN renewal — timely | RN | $190 | Biennial timely renewal Official source ↗ |
| RN renewal — delinquent | RN | $280 | Delinquent renewal Official source ↗ |
| RN endorsement application | RN | $350 | RN from another U.S. state, district or territory Official source ↗ |
| Temporary RN license | RN | $100 | Temporary license application fee Official source ↗ |
California Board of Registered Nursing contact and location
916-322-3350
916-557-1208
Fax: (916) 574-7699
Main phone: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific time. Public counter: 8:15 a.m. to 11:55 a.m. and 1:05 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., excluding state holidays.
5 reviewed official destinations for California
License verification ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026License renewal ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Continuing education ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Fee schedule ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026California Board of Registered Nursing ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Frequently asked questions
Who regulates nursing licenses in California?
California Board of Registered Nursing. California splits nursing-related credentials across agencies. The BRN regulates registered nurses and advanced practice certificates; LVN and psychiatric technician licensing is handled by BVNPT, while nurse aide certification is handled through the California Department of Public Health.
What is the reviewed California license lookup?
DCA License Search. License verification is the reviewed public verification route for California. The destination is hosted on www.rn.ca.gov. Search the exact credential, then compare status, expiration, record date, and public restrictions before relying on the result. Renewal-related transactions use License renewal.
When is a California nursing license renewed?
Every two years. Renew before the expiration date shown on the license record.
What CE or competence applies in California?
30 contact hours every two years for active RN renewal.
What fee information is published for California?
Timely RN renewal: $190; delinquent RN renewal: $280.
How can I contact the nursing authority in California?
California Board of Registered Nursing publishes 916-322-3350 and 1747 North Market Boulevard, Suite 150, Sacramento, CA 95834-1924.