California Nursing License Lookup

Verify any California (CA) registered nurse license for free. Below is the official California Board of Registered Nursing lookup tool plus a step-by-step guide on how to use it.

Official California License Verification

Hosted by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Free, public, and updated in real time.

Open California License Lookup

Official source: California Board of Registered Nursing

What you'll need to look up a California nurse license

The nurse's first and last name (exactly as registered), OR
The nurse's license number
No login or account required

How to look up a nurse license in California

1
Visit the California Board of Nursing license verification tool (link above).
2
Enter the nurse's first and last name exactly as registered, or enter the license number if you have it.
3
Submit the search and review the results list.
4
Click into the matching record to see license status, expiration date, and any disciplinary actions.

Note: California does not participate in Nursys, so you must use the California BRN verification tool directly. Nursys will not show California-issued RN licenses.

What each license status means

Status	Meaning
Active	Licensed and currently eligible to practice.
Inactive	Not currently practicing, but the license can be reactivated.
Lapsed / Expired	License was not renewed on time; nurse cannot practice until renewed.
Suspended	Disciplinary action in place; practice is temporarily prohibited.
Revoked	License was permanently terminated by the state board.

Looking up a multistate compact license?

California does not issue multistate compact licenses directly. If you're trying to verify a nurse who practices in California under a multistate license from another NLC state, use Nursys QuickConfirm, the national database operated by NCSBN.

Open Nursys QuickConfirm

Checking for disciplinary actions

The California Board of Registered Nursing lookup tool shows any disciplinary actions (suspensions, revocations, probation, consent orders) as part of the public record. If you need more detail on a specific disciplinary case, most state boards publish formal action documents on their enforcement page.

Visit the California Board of Registered Nursing website →

California License Lookup FAQs

How do I look up a nurse license in California?

Use the official California Board of Registered Nursing license verification tool. Enter the nurse's full name (or license number if you have it) and the tool will show current license status, expiration date, and any disciplinary actions. Results are free and updated in real time from the state board's records.

Is California nursing license lookup free?

Yes. The California Board of Registered Nursing provides free public license verification. There is no cost to search, and you do not need to create an account for a basic lookup.

What does each license status mean?

Active means the nurse is licensed and in good standing. Inactive means the license is not currently in use but may be reactivated. Lapsed or Expired means the license was not renewed on time. Suspended or Revoked means disciplinary action was taken by the board and the nurse cannot legally practice.

Can I use California license lookup results for hiring decisions?

No. Information from this page and from state board lookup tools is for general reference only. It is not a consumer report and cannot be used to make employment, tenant, credit, or insurance decisions. Employers who need FCRA-compliant background checks should use a licensed consumer reporting agency.

How current is the license information in California?

The California Board of Registered Nursing maintains the authoritative record and typically updates license status within 24-48 hours of any change. Nursys (NCSBN's national database) also pulls from this state board, so data you see on Nursys may lag the state board by up to two business days.

Can I look up a multistate (compact) license from California?

California is not currently a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so licenses issued in California are single-state only. You can still verify the license through the California Board of Registered Nursing directly.

Board information last verified: December 27, 2025