California Board of Registered Nursing

The agency that licenses and disciplines nurses in California — how to reach it, what it charges, and what it requires to keep a licence active.

Name note: California does not call its regulator a "board of nursing". Nursing licensure here is handled by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Searches for "California board of nursing" are looking for this agency.

Contact the board

Website www.rn.ca.gov

Phone (916) 322-3350

Email brn@dca.ca.gov

Verify a California licence Application portal

What this board regulates

Every nursing credential issued in California, with what it costs to get and what it takes to keep. Initial cost totals application, examination, and fingerprinting fees.

Credential	Initial cost	Renewal	CE hours
CNA Certified Nursing Assistant	$269	$50 every 2 yrs	—
LPN/LVN Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse	$549	$305 every 2 yrs	30
RN Registered Nurse	$649	$190 every 2 yrs	30
NP Nurse Practitioner	$500	$150 every 2 yrs	30
CNM Certified Nurse-Midwife	$500	$150 every 2 yrs	30
CNS Clinical Nurse Specialist	$500	$150 every 2 yrs	30
CRNA Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist	$500	$150 every 2 yrs	30

Certified nursing assistants are listed on the California nurse aide registry, run by California Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section — a separate agency from the nursing board.

Multistate practice

California is not an NLC member. A licence from this board is valid only in California; practising elsewhere means applying by endorsement in that state.

California is NOT a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). You must hold a California-specific license to practice in California.

How the Nurse Licensure Compact works

Frequently asked questions

How do I contact the California Board of Registered Nursing?

Phone: (916) 322-3350. Email: brn@dca.ca.gov. Website: https://www.rn.ca.gov. The board is the authoritative source for licence status, disciplinary records, and application questions. Contact it directly rather than relying on third-party summaries, including this one.

What licences does the California Board of Registered Nursing issue?

It handles Certified Nursing Assistant, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse, Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse-Midwife, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Certified nursing assistants are listed on the California nurse aide registry, run by California Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section, which is a separate agency from the nursing board.

Is California a Nurse Licensure Compact state?

No. California is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a licence issued here is valid only in California. Practising elsewhere means applying for a licence by endorsement in that state.

How do I verify a California nursing licence?

Use the board's public verification tool, which is free and does not require an account. It shows current status, expiration date, and any disciplinary action. Nursys also carries California data, though it can lag the board by up to two business days.

How often do California nursing licences renew?

Renewal cycles vary by credential: CNA every 2 years, LPN/LVN every 2 years, RN every 2 years, NP every 2 years, CNM every 2 years, CNS every 2 years, CRNA every 2 years. Continuing education requirements are set per credential and are listed in the table above.

Clinically reviewed by Clinical Review Team

Based on 5 official sources • Last verified: June 2026

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