How to get a Registered Nurse license in California

California registered nurse licenses

California issues 3 registered nurse credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the California registered nurse licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 3)

What it covers

Registered nursing covers direct and indirect patient care (safety, comfort, hygiene, disease prevention and restorative measures), giving medications and treatments ordered by a physician, dentist, podiatrist or clinical psychologist, skin tests, immunisations and drawing blood, and other functions requiring substantial scientific knowledge or technical skill.¹⁰

2. Every license level except Registered Nurse

Renewal

How often

Every 6 months⁷¹¹

Who needs a Registered Nurse license

Other rules on who may do this work:

• An active California license is required to practice nursing; licensees may use the title "R.N."¹
• Employers and nurse registries/travel agencies must confirm that each RN, temporary licensee or interim permittee is currently authorized to practice before employment.¹²

Requirements for a Registered Nurse license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 under Applies to every license level.

Education or training

Complete a Board-approved prelicensure RN program in California, or an equivalent nursing school program elsewhere; coursework must include alcohol/chemical dependency and client (spousal/partner) abuse detection and treatment.¹³
Who may teach it: A Board-approved California nursing program, or an out-of-state/foreign nursing school judged equivalent at the time of application.³
Alternative: Out-of-state RNs with at least two years of practice who completed the theory part of anatomy, physiology and microbiology need not retake the lab component (16 CCR 1410.5, effective October 1, 2023; attestation form required).⁸

Exam

National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN)²
Given by: Pearson VUE⁷
When you can take it: After the Board approves the application and finds you eligible, Pearson VUE emails an Authorization to Test (ATT); you need the ATT to book.⁷
Computer exam at Pearson Professional Centers in the US and territories, plus international centers (Australia, Canada, England, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Mexico, Philippines, Taiwan; Germany temporarily not testing).⁷
Retakes: Re-apply to the Board with the Reapply/Repeat Examination Application ($250) after a failed attempt; results and re-application instructions are mailed.⁷
Exam waived: No exam for endorsement applicants who already passed the NCLEX-RN or SBTPE and hold a current, active RN license elsewhere in the US or Canada.⁸

Background check

Background check required³
Fingerprints required³
Applicants must not be subject to denial under B&P Code 480; prior convictions or discipline are reviewed by the Enforcement Division, which can delay the license or interim permit. A denied applicant may appeal in writing within 60 days.³

Also required

International graduates: BRN may require TOEFL where English comprehension is in doubt or the program was not taught in English (16 CCR 1413).⁷

Also required

Transcripts: California programs send them electronically; out-of-state programs send them electronically or directly; foreign programs by mail.²

How much a Registered Nurse license costs

You pay BRN (14 fees) and Pearson VUE (2 fees).

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. Finish a Board-approved RN program (or equivalent). California programs send your transcript to the Board electronically.²
2. Create a BreEZe account and start the "RN Initial Exam Application" (or "RN Endorsement" if already licensed elsewhere).² breeze.ca.gov²
3. Attach supporting documents and pay the application fee by credit card.²
4. Submit fingerprints by Live Scan or hard card for the DOJ and FBI check.⁸
5. Exam route: register with Pearson VUE ($200), wait for the Authorization to Test, then book and pass the NCLEX-RN.⁷
6. Endorsement route: have your other state verify your license (Nursys or the Verification of License form) and request Nursys only after you apply, as it expires in 90 days.⁸

Apply online

breeze.ca.gov²

Application form

Form (PDF, rn.ca.gov)²

Temporary or provisional license

Exam applicants may request an interim permit; endorsement applicants may request a six-month temporary license (separate records).¹⁴

Renewal and continuing education

How often

Every 2 years⁵

When it expires

The first license runs to the end of the month after your second birthday following issue; after that it renews every two years. Renew online up to three months early; there is no grace period.¹⁵

Renewal fee

$190⁴ (Biennial renewal, filed on time)

Continuing education

At least 30 hours each renewal period⁶

Required topics

Implicit bias: 1 hour of direct participation, required even during the first-renewal CE exemption.⁶
Nurse practitioners whose patients are over 25% aged 65+: at least 6 of the 30 hours in gerontology, dementia care or care of older patients.⁶

Approved courses

Courses must come from a BRN-recognized continuing education provider (CEP number active at the time); college courses count at 1 quarter unit = 10 hours and 1 semester unit = 15 hours; CME Category 1 is accepted. Keep certificates four years for random audits.⁶

Exemptions

First renewal after initial licensure (within two years): exempt except the implicit-bias hour.⁶
Inactive status: renew without CE, but you cannot practice.¹⁵
Exemptions may be requested for overseas employment or residence of a year or more, federal or military nursing outside California, or a year or more of total disability (self or immediate family).⁶

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $280⁴ (renewal after the expiration date (up to eight years))
Reinstatement fee: $350⁴ (license lapsed eight years or more, holder licensed in another state)

If it expires

A lapsed license can be renewed within eight years with the delinquent fee and 30 hours of CE from the prior two years; after eight years you need a current active license in another state/territory (8-year renewal) or must retake the NCLEX-RN.¹⁵
Active-status renewals require fingerprints on file with DOJ (both DOJ and FBI levels); waived when renewing inactive.¹⁵
Retired status: free nursing in public health programs under supervision; can return to active once only.¹⁵

Renew online

breeze.ca.gov¹⁶

Moving to California with a license from another state

These are the routes BRN publishes for the Registered Nurse license. The other registered nurse licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Renewal requirements are waived for military personnel called to active duty; CE exemptions are possible for federal/military service outside California.¹⁵

Interim Permit

Requirements

Education or training

Completion of the nursing course; the permit is requested with the licensure-by-exam application.¹⁴

Background check

Background check required⁷
Fingerprints required⁷
No interim permit while the application is under Enforcement Division review.⁷

Fees

How to apply

1. On the online exam application choose "Yes" to the interim permit question (on paper, tick "Request for Interim Permit" and add $100).⁷
2. Once fingerprints clear and you receive NCLEX eligibility, check BreEZe License Verification for the permit.⁷

Renewal

When it expires

Valid six months or until the first NCLEX-RN result; if you pass it stays valid until the license issues; if you fail it ends.¹⁴

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.

Temporary RN License

Requirements

Background check

Background check required⁹
Fingerprints required⁹

Fees

How to apply

1. File the licensure-by-endorsement application first.⁹
2. Then submit the temporary license request in BreEZe (you cannot apply for a temporary license alone).⁹

Renewal

When it expires

Six months from issue; the Board may reissue it at most twice if you are excusably delayed.¹¹

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Interim PermitNo local license: the state Board of Registered Nursing licenses every RN.¹

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a registered nurse in California, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in California is on the California license lookup page.

Look up a license

search.dca.ca.gov¹⁶

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code div. 2, ch. 6 (Nursing Practice Act), §§ 2700-2838.4
• Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 2732.1 (applications; interim permit; license without exam)
• Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 2733 (temporary license)
• Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 2736 (qualifications; fingerprints)
• Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 2811 (biennial renewal; reinstatement)
• Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 2811.5 (continuing education)
• Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 2815
• Cal. Code Regs. tit. 16, div. 14 (Board of Registered Nursing), incl. §§ 1410, 1410.5, 1451

Rule changes since January 2024

• September 18, 2026: B&P Code 2736 (RN qualifications) amended by Stats. 2026, ch. 313 (AB 2796), effective September 18, 2026.³
• June 29, 2026: B&P Code 2811.5 (CE) amended by Stats. 2026, ch. 27 (SB 164), effective June 29, 2026; adds NP menopause-care CE double credit from July 1, 2027.¹⁷

Common questions

Registered nurse (RN) licenses in other states

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming