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Nurse License Guide

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. The board's own record is authoritative; check any update date shown or contact the board about recent changes.

California BRN verification uses DCA License Search for Board of Registered Nursing records. The board notes that posting or updating information may be delayed. Official verification guidance

Open California License Lookup

Official source: California Board of Registered Nursing

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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. 1

    Visit the California Board of Nursing license verification tool (link above).

  2. 2

    Enter the nurse's first and last name exactly as registered, or enter the license number if you have it.

  3. 3

    Submit the search and review the results list.

  4. 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

California nurse aide (CNA) registry lookup

Looking up a certified nursing assistant? CNAs are not in the California Board of Registered Nursing RN/LPN lookup. California keeps a separate nurse aide registry, run by California Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section, that shows certification status, expiration, and any findings of abuse or neglect.

Open the California nurse aide registry → Registry phone: (916) 327-2445 California CNA certification guide →

Getting licensed in California?

Requirements, fees, processing times, and renewal rules for each California nursing license.

Comparing states? Nursing license cost by state, cheapest RN license states, and fastest RN license states.

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 to review the available license status, expiration, and disciplinary information. The board's own record is authoritative; check any update date shown and contact the board if information is unclear.
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. Nursys, NCSBN's national database, shows what this board has submitted to it: NCSBN states that it posts information "when, and as, submitted by the individual boards of nursing" and displays the date each board last updated. That date is the one to check — NCSBN publishes no standard refresh interval, and submission gaps do happen. When a status matters for a decision, verify it against the board's own record.
How do I look up a CNA in California?
Certified nursing assistants are listed on the California nurse aide registry, run by California Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section, not on the nursing board's RN/LPN lookup. Search the registry by name or certificate number to confirm the CNA is active and in good standing.
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.