Nurse state crossing · California licensing · NLC status table · RN list
LPN/LVN work list: California
What an LPN/LVN has to do to work in California. Pick where you live and the page shows your route.
California is not a compact state, so a multistate licence does not cover work here. You need a California licence; the steps are below.
Home and work in California
If you already hold a licence California issued, there is no state line to cross. Renewal and continuing-education rules are on the California licensing page.
Moved here from another state? California does not honour multistate licences yet, so you need a California licence to work here. The endorsement steps are below.
NCSBN · ncsbn.org · checked 11 Sep 2026
Route B: get a California licence by endorsement
For everyone else. Each step comes from California’s own licensing sources; tick it off as you go.
California licenses practical and vocational nurses through a different board from RNs. Our record names it: Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians. Apply through that board; this list has nothing sourced for LPN/LVNs yet.
State Board of Nursing · rn.ca.gov · checked 11 Sep 2026
Built from the California nursing licensing record and the compact status table. A step appears only when the record has a sourced answer for it; anything else points to the board. Informational only: confirm with the board of nursing before you apply.