State of California
California.
Updated 2026
Contact hours
For RN renewal, every 2 years
30
Mandatory topics
For RN renewal, topic
1
Online CE
For RN renewal, fully accepted
Yes
¶ California requires registered nurses to complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years to maintain an active license. Newly licensed nurses are exempt from CE requirements for their first renewal period.
Nursing in California.
California has the largest nursing workforce in the nation with over 450,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 39 million. The state is home to major academic medical centers including UCLA Health, UCSF Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai, and Stanford Health Care. California was the first state to implement mandatory nurse-to-patient staffing ratios, fundamentally shaping nursing practice standards nationwide.
California requires 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years for RN license renewal. The state mandates specific courses in implicit bias (at least once), and requires certain nurses to complete training in geriatric care, pain management, and the use of restraints. California's BRN has strict requirements about CE provider approval and course content standards.
Common practice settings
Academic Medical Centers
World-renowned teaching hospitals offer nurses exposure to cutting-edge treatments and research opportunities, with robust internal CE programs.
Kaiser Permanente
The largest integrated health system in California employs tens of thousands of nurses across its hospitals and clinics.
Correctional Facilities
California's prison system is one of the largest employers of nurses in the state, offering unique practice opportunities.
Renewal tips
01
Complete your implicit bias training requirement if you have not done so.
02
Verify that CE providers are approved by the California BRN before enrolling.
03
Keep CE certificates for at least 4 years after each renewal cycle.
04
Some California hospitals offer free CE to staff that counts toward renewal requirements.
The requirements, by license
Every license type,side by side.
Hours, cycles, mandatory topics, exemptions. Switch between RN, LPN, APRN and the four advanced-practice specialties.
License
RN
Registered nurse.
Contact hours
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Implicit Bias Required for initial renewal on or after January 1, 2023 | 2h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 4 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Courses must be from BRN-approved provider.
- Keep certificates for 4 years.
License
LPN
LPN / LVN.
Contact hours
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for LPN renewal.
Exemptions
- First renewal within 4 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Courses must be from BRN-approved provider.
- Keep certificates for 4 years.
License
APRN
APRN, general.
Contact hours
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pharmacology If holding furnishing number | 0h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 4 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Courses must be from BRN-approved provider.
Additional requirements
License
NP
Nurse practitioner.
Contact hours
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pharmacology If holding furnishing number | 0h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 4 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Courses must be from BRN-approved provider.
Additional requirements
License
CNS
Clinical nurse specialist.
Contact hours
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pharmacology If holding furnishing number | 0h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 4 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Courses must be from BRN-approved provider.
Additional requirements
License
CNM
Certified nurse-midwife.
Contact hours
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pharmacology If holding furnishing number | 0h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 4 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Courses must be from BRN-approved provider.
Additional requirements
License
CRNA
Nurse anesthetist.
Contact hours
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Pharmacology If holding furnishing number | 0h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 4 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Courses must be from BRN-approved provider.
Additional requirements
In context. California requires 30 contact hours every 2 years for RN license renewal. Compared with neighbors, Oregon has no general CE requirement, while Nevada has similar requirements (30 hours). California is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so nurses need a separate license to practice here.
Continue.
Verify with the source
California Board of Registered Nursing.
Verify before relying on this