California Nursing License 2026

A California RN license costs $100 (application) plus $200 (NCLEX) and takes 8-12 weeks to process, according to the California Board of Registered Nursing. California is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so you must obtain a California-specific license to practice in the state.

California has the largest nursing workforce in the US with over 450,000 licensed RNs (per BRN 2025 data).

Which board do I apply to for a California nursing license?

California has two separate nursing boards:

Board of Registered Nursing (BRN)

Detail	Information
Licenses	RN, NP, CNM, CNS, Public Health Nurse
Website	rn.ca.gov
Phone	(916) 322-3350
Address	1747 N Market Blvd, Suite 150, Sacramento, CA 95834

Board of Vocational Nursing (BVNPT)

Detail	Information
Licenses	LVN, Psychiatric Technician
Website	bvnpt.ca.gov
Phone	(916) 263-7800
Address	2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 205, Sacramento, CA 95833

How do I get a California RN license?

New Graduate (Exam Application)

Eligibility requirements:

• Graduate from BRN-approved nursing program (ADN, BSN, or entry-level MSN)
• Complete fingerprint/background check
• Meet minimum education requirements

Application process:

Step	Action	Cost
1	Complete application (online or paper)	$100
2	Submit official transcripts	Varies
3	Complete LiveScan fingerprinting	~$65
4	Receive ATT from BRN	—
5	Register with Pearson VUE	$200
6	Pass NCLEX-RN	—
7	Receive license number	—

Timeline:

• Application processing: 4-8 weeks
• NCLEX scheduling: Within 30 days of ATT
• Results: 48 hours (quick results)
• License issuance: 1-2 weeks after passing

Endorsement (From Another State)

Eligibility requirements:

• Active RN license in another state
• No disciplinary actions pending
• Pass California jurisprudence exam (if required)
• Graduate from approved program or equivalent

Application process:

Step	Action	Cost
1	Complete endorsement application	$100
2	Request license verification from original state	Varies
3	Submit official transcripts	Varies
4	Complete LiveScan fingerprinting	~$65
5	Await BRN review	—
6	Receive California license	—

Timeline: 4-8 weeks (can be longer with complications)

RN Fees Summary

Fee Type	Amount
Initial application (exam)	$100
Initial application (endorsement)	$100
Biennial renewal	$190
Inactive to active	$190
Duplicate license	$50
Name change	$50
Verification to another state	$50

RN Renewal Requirements

Requirement	Details
Cycle	Biennial (every 2 years)
CE hours	30 contact hours
Mandatory topics	Implicit bias (2 hours, one-time)
Fee	$190
Late fee	+50% if renewed within 4 years

How do I get a California LVN license?

New Graduate (BVNPT)

Eligibility requirements:

• Graduate from BVNPT-approved vocational nursing program
• Complete fingerprint/background check
• Meet English proficiency requirements (if applicable)

Application process:

Step	Action	Cost
1	Complete application	$150
2	Submit official transcripts	Varies
3	Complete LiveScan fingerprinting	~$65
4	Receive ATT from BVNPT	—
5	Register with Pearson VUE	$200
6	Pass NCLEX-PN	—
7	Receive license number	—

Timeline:

• Application processing: 6-10 weeks
• Total time to licensure: 2-4 months

LVN Endorsement

Requirements:

• Active LVN/LPN license in another state
• Verification of original license
• Fingerprint clearance
• May require additional documentation for older licenses

Timeline: 6-10 weeks

LVN Fees Summary

Fee Type	Amount
Initial application	$150
Endorsement application	$150
Biennial renewal	$200
Late renewal	+$100
Duplicate license	$35

LVN Renewal Requirements

Requirement	Details
Cycle	Biennial (every 2 years)
CE hours	30 contact hours
Mandatory topics	None specified
Fee	$200

California APRN Licenses

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

California NPs hold an RN license with Nurse Practitioner certification.

Requirements:

• Active California RN license
• Graduate from BRN-approved NP program
• National certification in NP specialty
• Standardized procedure requirements for practice

Practice authority: California recently expanded NP practice authority through AB 890. After January 2023, NPs can practice without physician supervision after completing:

• 4,600 hours of physician-supervised practice, OR
• 3 years of practice in another state

Application process:

Step	Action	Cost
1	Hold active CA RN license	—
2	Apply for NP certification	$150
3	Submit proof of NP education	—
4	Submit national certification	—
5	Apply for furnishing number	$150
6	Complete DEA registration	$888

Furnishing (prescriptive) authority:

• Separate furnishing number required
• Controlled substance education required
• DEA registration for controlled substances
• Collaborative practice requirements (transitioning)

Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

Requirements:

• Active California RN license
• Graduate from ACME-accredited CNM program
• AMCB certification
• Furnishing number for prescribing

Scope of practice:

• Full midwifery scope
• Furnishing authority for medications
• Practice without physician supervision allowed

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

Requirements:

• Active California RN license
• Graduate degree with CNS preparation
• National certification (if available for specialty)

Note: California recognizes CNS as APRN with title protection.

APRN Fees

Fee Type	Amount
NP certification	$150
CNM certification	$150
CNS certification	$150
Furnishing number (initial)	$150
Furnishing renewal	$150

Is California part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?

California is NOT a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).

Implications

Factor	Impact
Working in CA	Must obtain California license
Holding multistate license	Does not allow CA practice
Telehealth	Must be licensed in CA to treat CA patients
Travel nursing	California single-state license required

Why California Isn’t in the Compact

• Legislative efforts have been introduced but not passed
• Union opposition (California Nurses Association)
• Concerns about regulatory oversight
• Large nursing workforce creates self-sufficiency

Interim Permits

California offers interim permits for nurses waiting on endorsement:

Permit Type	Duration	Eligibility
Interim Permit	6 months	Endorsement applicants with license verification

Interim permits allow practice while awaiting full licensure.

Background Checks

LiveScan Process

All California nursing applicants must complete LiveScan fingerprinting:

Process:

1. Receive LiveScan form from BRN/BVNPT
2. Schedule appointment at LiveScan location
3. Complete fingerprinting (~$65)
4. Results sent directly to board
5. Board reviews and clears

Timeline: 1-4 weeks for clearance

Criminal Background Issues

If you have criminal history:

• Disclose all arrests and convictions on application
• Provide certified court documents
• Include personal statement explaining circumstances
• Board reviews on case-by-case basis
• May require additional documentation or hearing

Potentially disqualifying offenses:

• Felonies (especially recent or healthcare-related)
• Drug-related convictions
• Crimes of moral turpitude
• Professional misconduct

Continuing Education Details

BRN CE Requirements

Requirement	Details
Hours	30 contact hours per renewal
Provider	BRN-approved or ANCC-accredited
Mandatory topic	Implicit bias (2 hours, one-time)
Documentation	Keep certificates 4+ years

Approved CE Topics

California accepts CE in:

• Clinical nursing topics
• Pharmacology
• Ethics
• Patient safety
• Cultural competency
• Leadership and management
• Legal/regulatory topics

CE Audit

BRN randomly audits approximately 5% of renewals:

• Keep certificates for at least 4 years
• Respond to audit requests within 30 days
• Non-compliance can delay renewal

International Graduates

RN Pathway (CGFNS)

International nursing graduates must:

Step	Requirement
1	CGFNS Certification or VisaScreen
2	Credential evaluation
3	English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS)
4	California application
5	NCLEX-RN

Processing time: 6-12 months (often longer)

Additional Requirements

• Social Security Number required for licensure
• Visa/work authorization documentation
• Transcript evaluation by approved agency
• May require additional coursework

Travel Nursing in California

Requirements

Travel nurses must have:

• Active California RN or LVN license
• No interim permits for travel nursing (typically)
• Current BLS and specialty certifications
• Agency-specific requirements

California-Specific Considerations

Factor	Detail
Staffing ratios	California mandates nurse-to-patient ratios
Break laws	Mandatory rest breaks enforced
Union presence	Many facilities unionized
Higher pay	Premium rates due to COL and regulations
Licensing timeline	Plan ahead—processing takes 4-8 weeks

Application Tips

Speed Up Processing

1. Submit complete application — Missing items cause delays
2. Use online application — Faster than paper
3. Order transcripts early — Can take weeks
4. Schedule LiveScan promptly — Don’t wait for board request
5. Track your application — BRN online license lookup
6. Respond quickly — To any board correspondence

Common Application Mistakes

1. Missing signatures
2. Incorrect fee payment
3. Unofficial transcripts
4. Incomplete background disclosure
5. Expired supporting documents
6. Wrong application type

Contact Information

BRN inquiries:

• Email: brn@dca.ca.gov
• Phone: (916) 322-3350
• Hours: M-F 8am-5pm PT

BVNPT inquiries:

• Email: bvnpt@dca.ca.gov
• Phone: (916) 263-7800
• Hours: M-F 8am-5pm PT

Next Steps

Ready to get your California nursing license?

1. Check requirements — California RN Requirements | California LVN Requirements
2. Gather documents — Transcripts, verifications, ID
3. Complete LiveScan — Schedule fingerprinting
4. Submit application — Online at rn.ca.gov or bvnpt.ca.gov
5. Track progress — Monitor application status online

California offers excellent nursing opportunities with competitive salaries and strong worker protections. While the licensing process requires patience, proper preparation ensures a smooth path to practicing in the Golden State.