How to Get a Nurse (RN/LPN) License in California (2026)

Board of Registered Nursing (RNs)

Board of Registered Nursing (RNs)

Board of Registered Nursing

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://rn.ca.gov/licensees/lic-renewal.shtml

License/Certificate Renewal

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://www.breeze.ca.gov

Register for a BreEZe account, if you have not done so previously.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

RN applicants must complete an educational program meeting California requirements; deficiencies require an approved course before examination.

RN applicants must complete an educational program meeting California requirements; deficiencies require an approved course before examination.

All applicants must have completed an educational program meeting all California requirements. If you are lacking any educational requirements, you must successfully complete an approved course prior to taking the examination.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

RN applicants who have never passed the examination or been licensed as an RN in another state or U.S. territory must take NCLEX-RN.

RN applicants who have never passed the examination or been licensed as an RN in another state or U.S. territory must take NCLEX-RN.

Applicants must take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) if they have never taken and passed the examination or been licensed as a registered nurse in another state or U.S. territory.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Your first California RN license is issued for two birthdays, not two years, and will expire the last day of the month following your birth date. From that date on, it will expire every two years, if renewed timely.

Your first California RN license is issued for two birthdays, not two years, and will expire the last day of the month following your birth date. From that date on, it will expire every two years, if renewed timely. Applies to: RN licenses; LVNs follow the separately cited BVNPT renewal requirements.

Your first California RN license is issued for two birthdays, not two years, and will expire the last day of the month following your birth date. From that date on, it will expire every two years, if renewed timely.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

To complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years must complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider that has been approved by the Board of Registered Nursing.

RNs: 30 contact hours every two years through recognized providers; during the first two years after initial licensure, one hour of direct participation in an approved implicit-bias course is required.

to complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years must complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider that has been approved by the Board of Registered Nursing.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

RN first renewal after passing the national licensing examination within the past two years is exempt from general CE, but not the implicit-bias requirement.

RN first renewal after passing the national licensing examination within the past two years is exempt from general CE, but not the implicit-bias requirement.

If you obtained your initial RN license by passing the national licensing examination within the past two years and this is your first renewal, you are exempt from the CE requirement, with the exception of the Implicit Bias requirement.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

California uses the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) designation. LVN renewal is every two years; after the first renewal, 30 hours of CE in the preceding two years must relate to the licensee's scope of practice.

California uses the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) designation. LVN renewal is every two years; after the first renewal, 30 hours of CE in the preceding two years must relate to the licensee's scope of practice.

LVNs and PTs are required to renew their license every two years. After the first renewal, LVNs and PTs are required to certify under penalty of perjury, completion of 30 hours of CE within the two years immediately preceding the date of renewal. Courses must be related to the licensee's scope of practice.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

LVN renewal instructions are provided by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians: https://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/licensees/post_licensure.html

LVN renewal instructions are provided by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians: https://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/licensees/post_licensure.html

Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

LVNs cannot practice with an inactive license.

LVNs cannot practice with an inactive license.

The licensee cannot practice with an inactive license.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

RN examination application fees: California graduate $300; graduate of another U.S. state, district or territory $350; international graduate $750. Timely RN renewal is $190.

RN examination application fees: California graduate $300; graduate of another U.S. state, district or territory $350; international graduate $750. Timely RN renewal is $190.

Registered Nurse Examination Application - California Graduate | $300 Registered Nurse Examination Application - Graduate from Another State, District or U.S. Territory | $350 Registered Nurse Examination Application - International Graduate | $750 Registered Nurse Renewal | $190 | $280

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Vocational nursing: application evaluation $300 for California graduates or $330 for other pathways; initial license $300; biennial renewal $305. The examination administration fee is separate.

LVN fees effective September 21, 2022: examination application $300 for California graduates or $330 for equivalency/non-California graduates; initial license $300; biennial renewal $305. The application fee excludes the separate NCLEX administration fee.

Vocational Nursing Fee Categories | Previous Fee | Fee as of 09/21/2022 1. Exam – California School Graduate* | $220.00* | $300.00* 2. Exam – Equivalency/Non-California School Graduate* | $250.00* | $330.00* 5. Initial License | $220.00 | $300.00 6. Biennial Renewal for 2 years** | $225.00** | $305.00** This fee amount is for the evaluation of your application materials only. It does not include the examination administration fee charged by the National Council State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).

Last verified Oct 25, 2026