California nursing license rules
Not in the compactRN and LVN · Last checked October 29, 2026 · Sources
California is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact. To work here, including travel contracts and telehealth to patients in California, you need a California license. A multistate license from another state does not cover it.
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- When it expires
- Expires the last day of the birth month, every 2 years (first license runs over two birthdays); can renew no earlier than 3 months before expiration
- Renewal fee
- $190
- Continuing education
- 30 contact hours per renewal cycle
- Required CE topics
- Implicit bias (1 hour, within the first 2 years of licensure; B&P Code 2811.5)
- Endorsement fee
- $350
- Fingerprints for endorsement
- Yes, a criminal background check with fingerprints
- Temporary permit
- Available. Optional temporary license, $100, valid 6 months; issued only after fingerprint clearance
- How to apply
- Apply on BreEZe; license verification via Nursys ($30) or the board's verification form; fingerprints by California Live Scan or FD-258 hard card ($49 card processing if out of state). International RN endorsement fee is $750.
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- When it expires
- Every 2 years; fee due on or before the expiration date; delinquent fee if paid after; license cannot be renewed after 4 years expired
- Renewal fee
- $305
- Continuing education
- 30 contact hours per renewal cycle
- Required CE topics
- None found on the board's pages.
- Endorsement fee
- $300
- Fingerprints for endorsement
- Yes, a criminal background check with fingerprints
- Temporary permit
- Available. Temporary license on request after the application is evaluated/approved and DOJ fingerprint clearance is received; fee not stated
- How to apply
- Apply on BreEZe; verification of licensure sent directly from the original state board; two fingerprint cards (DOJ and FBI) or Live Scan for CA residents; proof of 12th grade education.
Moving or traveling
Moving to California from a compact state? Apply by endorsement in the new state and notify the former board; the former multistate license converts to single-state.
Travel nurses on a temporary contract keep their home state; see how the compact works.
Board of nursing
Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT)
Licenses: LVN
Board home · Renewal · Endorsement · CE rulesSources
- https://rn.ca.gov/consumers/fees.shtml
- https://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/applicants/end-app.pdf
- https://www.rn.ca.gov/licensees/ce-renewal.shtml
- https://www.rn.ca.gov/licensees/lic-renewal.shtml
- https://bvnpt.ca.gov/licensees/fees.shtml
- https://bvnpt.ca.gov/licensees/post_licensure.shtml
- https://bvnpt.ca.gov/applicants/application_for_vocational_nurse_licensure_by_endorsement.shtml
- https://www.nursecompact.com/files/NLC_Map.pdf
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