Licensing authority
Who actually issues a nursing licence in California?
California Board of Registered Nursing
Source quotation
apply for licensure by the Board of Registered Nursing
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
Nursing licensure · NLC status table · EMS licensure
CA
California
Can I work a 13-week contract here on my multistate licence?
Full licence requiredCA · spine record
No — you need a state licence
Ruled 2026-09-11. California has not joined the NLC, so no privilege path exists; practicing on an out-of-state license alone is unlawful practice under BPC 2795/2796. A California license via endorsement (or exam) is required.
Supporting evidence and conditions
Ruled 2026-09-11. California has not joined the NLC, so no privilege path exists; practicing on an out-of-state license alone is unlawful practice under BPC 2795/2796. A California license via endorsement (or exam) is required.
State Board of Nursing · rn.ca.gov · verified 11 Sep 2026
- Law enacted
- No not on the NLC member list
- In force
- No effective date not established
- Issuing multistate licences
- No employer cannot check your privilege here
- Facts sourced
- 30
- No published answer
- 6
- Not yet verified
- 5
- Sources disagreeing
- 0
Requirements include source links and review dates. Expand each source quotation for the supporting text. Unverified and incomplete information is labelled alongside the relevant requirement.
Who licenses you
The board that issues the licence, and the practice act behind it.
5 of 5 answered from a source · 0 written up as absences
Licensing portal
Where do I actually submit a nursing application in California?
BRN directs endorsement applicants to BreEZe; the portal URL is the 'Apply Online' link target on rn.ca.gov, verified in the link list.
Source quotation
Register for a BreEZe account, if you have not done so previously.
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
Contact
Who do I call or email about California nursing licensure?
- Phone
- 916-322-3350
Source quotation
call the BRN using the automated phone system at 916-322-3350
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
Governing law
Which nurse practice act or rule governs licensure in California?
Nursing Practice Act: Business and Professions Code starting at Section 2700
Source quotation
located in the California Business and Professions Code starting with Section 2700
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
What the licence is
RN, LPN, and APRN tiers, and which of them come multistate.
4 of 6 answered from a source · 2 written up as absences
Licence types
What licence types does California issue — RN, LPN, APRN — and which come multistate?
RN
- State title
- Registered Nurse
- Regulator
- Board of Registered Nursing
- Multistate
- No
LVN
- State title
- Licensed Vocational Nurse
- Regulator
- Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (separate board)
- Multistate
- No
APRN
- State title
- Advanced practice certificates (NP, CNM, CNS, CRNA, PHN)
- Regulator
- Board of Registered Nursing
- Multistate
- No
Quote covers the BRN/RN tier. LVNs are separately regulated by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (bvnpt.ca.gov). Advanced-practice certification (NP, PHN, and others) sits with the BRN per its Advanced Practice pages. No tier is multistate: California has not joined the NLC.
Source quotation
mandates the Board to set out the scope of practice and responsibilities for RNs
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
Multistate licences issued
Does California issue multistate licences at all?
No
Source quotation
Alaska, American Samoa, California, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Northern Mariana Island and Oregon have yet to join the NLC.
ncsbn.org · NCSBN
Licence term
How long does a California nursing licence last before renewal?
- Years
- 2
- Expires on
- birth_month
Source quotation
Your first California RN license is issued for two birthdays, not two years, and will expire the last day of the month following your birth date. From that date on, it will expire every two years, if renewed timely.
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
NCLEX required to get licensed
Do I need NCLEX to get licensed in California?
Yes
Source quotation
Applicants must take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) if they have never taken and passed the examination
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
No verified valueRecord date 11 Sep 2026
Unverified
Jurisprudence exam
Does California make me sit a jurisprudence or ethics exam?
Not yet verified
Evidence details
Not attempted in this pass.
No verified valueRecord date 11 Sep 2026
Unverified
Disqualifying convictions
What criminal history bars me from nursing licensure in California?
Not yet verified
Evidence details
Not attempted in this pass.
Compact privilege
The Nurse Licensure Compact. Enacted, in force, and multistate issuance are separate dated facts, plus what privilege covers.
4 of 10 answered from a source · 6 written up as absences
Not applicableRecord date 11 Sep 2026
Not applicable
Conditions for privilege
What do I have to satisfy for multistate privilege to apply in California?
Does not arise in California
Evidence details
California is not an NLC member (NCSBN: California 'has yet to join'), so multistate privilege does not arise here.
Not applicableRecord date 11 Sep 2026
Not applicable
Home-state residence rule
How does where I legally live affect my multistate privilege in California?
Does not arise in California
Evidence details
California is not an NLC member (NCSBN: California 'has yet to join'), so multistate privilege does not arise here.
Not applicableRecord date 11 Sep 2026
Not applicable
Where privilege is not enough
When do I need a California single-state licence instead of privilege?
Does not arise in California
Evidence details
California is not an NLC member (NCSBN: California 'has yet to join'), so multistate privilege does not arise here.
Can I take a contract on privilege alone
Can I work a 13-week contract in California on my multistate licence?
No — you need a state licence
Ruled 2026-09-11. California has not joined the NLC, so no privilege path exists; practicing on an out-of-state license alone is unlawful practice under BPC 2795/2796. A California license via endorsement (or exam) is required.
Source quotation
it is unlawful for any person without an active RN license to practice or offer to practice as a registered nurse
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
Not applicableRecord date 11 Sep 2026
Not applicable
If you hold only a single-state licence
I hold a single-state licence — does the NLC do anything for me in California?
Does not arise in California
Evidence details
California is not an NLC member (NCSBN: California 'has yet to join'), so multistate privilege does not arise here.
Not applicableRecord date 11 Sep 2026
Not applicable
Extra state requirements
Does California add anything on top of the compact?
Does not arise in California
Evidence details
California is not an NLC member (NCSBN: California 'has yet to join'), so multistate privilege does not arise here.
Not applicableRecord date 11 Sep 2026
Not applicable
Verify privilege
Where does an employer verify my privilege for California?
Does not arise in California
Evidence details
California is not an NLC member (NCSBN: California 'has yet to join'), so multistate privilege does not arise here.
NLC law enacted
Has California passed the Nurse Licensure Compact into law?
- Status
- No
NCSBN names California among the jurisdictions that have yet to join; no compact law is in force.
Source quotation
Alaska, American Samoa, California, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Northern Mariana Island and Oregon have yet to join the NLC.
ncsbn.org · NCSBN
NLC law in force
Is California's NLC law actually in effect yet?
- Status
- No
Source quotation
Alaska, American Samoa, California, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Northern Mariana Island and Oregon have yet to join the NLC.
ncsbn.org · NCSBN
Issuing multistate licences
Is California actually issuing multistate licences yet?
- Status
- No
Source quotation
Alaska, American Samoa, California, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Northern Mariana Island and Oregon have yet to join the NLC.
ncsbn.org · NCSBN
Getting licensed from out of state
The route in when multistate privilege does not cover you.
9 of 9 answered from a source · 0 written up as absences
Endorsement available
Will California licence me by endorsement at all?
Yes
Source quotation
To qualify for endorsement (reciprocity) into California as an RN, you must hold a current and active RN license in another state
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
What it is called
What does California call its out-of-state pathway?
Licensure by Endorsement
Where to apply
Where do I start an endorsement application for California?
Source quotation
Register for a BreEZe account, if you have not done so previously.
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
What you must provide
What does California require from an out-of-state nurse?
Active out-of-state license
- Detail
- Current and active RN license in another state, U.S. territory, or Canada.
Qualifying education
- Detail
- Completed an educational program meeting all California requirements.
Exam passed
- Detail
- Passed NCLEX-RN or the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE); Canadian Comprehensive Examination not acceptable.
Source quotation
you must hold a current and active RN license in another state, U.S. territory, or Canada, have completed an educational program meeting all California requirements, and have passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) or the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE).
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
Application fee
What does it cost to get licensed in California from out of state?
- Amount
- 350
- Per
- application
- Also payable
International RN endorsement application
- Amount
- 750
Manual fingerprint card processing (DOJ and FBI)
- Amount
- 49
Row quote covers the $350 domestic endorsement fee. The same schedule lists $750 for international endorsement and $49 for manual fingerprint card processing.
Source quotation
Registered Nurse Endorsement Application - RN from Another State, District or U.S. Territory | NOTE: These are not the fees for verification of California RN licensure; see Miscellaneous Fees. | $350
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
How long it takes
How long will California take to process my application?
- Fastest published
- 70
- Slowest published
- 84
- Basis
- published_by_state
BRN's table updated September 24, 2026 reports 10-12 weeks for U.S. endorsement applications and processing of applications received August 16-31, 2026. The board describes these as general, current average timeframes; individual circumstances can change processing time. This is a dated planning range, not a promised completion date. Typical_days omitted because the board publishes a band.
Source quotation
Licensure by Endorsement: Mandatory Timeframe: Currently Processing Items Received: (Updated 9/24/2026) US 10-12 Weeks August 16-31, 2026
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
Background check
What background check does California require, and how do I do it from out of state?
- Required
- Yes
- State check
- Yes
- FBI check
- Yes
- Fingerprints
- Yes
- Vendor
- Live Scan or fingerprint card (Hard Card)
- Fee
- 49
Quote covers the method. The $49 manual card processing fee (DOJ and FBI) comes from the BRN fee schedule row 'Manual Fingerprint Card Processing (DOJ and FBI) | $49'. Out-of-state submission process not established in this pass.
Source quotation
Completed fingerprints using either Live Scan or fingerprint card (Hard Card) processing method
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
Temporary licence
Can I start working in California before full approval?
- Available
- Yes
- Type
- temporary license
- Issuance
- apply online
Source quotation
You may apply online for a temporary license if you wish to begin work pending issuance of a permanent license
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
Nursys verification
Do I have to route verification through Nursys for California?
- Required
- No
- Verification for endorsement
- Yes
Nursys accepted when the applicant's home board participates; otherwise BRN's own Verification of License form. Required:false because the board form is always an option.
Source quotation
Completed "Verification of License" form or Nursys® Verification Application if your board of nursing participates in Nursys®.
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
Keeping it
The renewal clock and what it costs in hours.
2 of 5 answered from a source · 3 written up as absences
Renewal cycle
How often do I renew in California?
2
Source quotation
it will expire every two years, if renewed timely
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
CE hours required
How many CE hours does California want, and which topics are mandated?
RN
- Hours
- 30
- Mandated topics
- Implicit Bias requirement (hours not established in this pass)
The CE page separately lists an Implicit Bias requirement; its hour count was not established in this pass.
Source quotation
to complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
No verified valueRecord date 11 Sep 2026
Unverified
State-specific requirements
What does California require at renewal that other states do not?
Not yet verified
Evidence details
Not attempted in this pass.
No verified valueRecord date 11 Sep 2026
Unverified
Approved CE providers
Where do I find CE that California will accept?
Not yet verified
Evidence details
Not attempted in this pass.
No verified valueRecord date 11 Sep 2026
Unverified
If your licence lapses
My California licence expired — can I still get it back?
Not yet verified
Evidence details
Not attempted in this pass.
Looking a licence up
Where employers check status and discipline history.
2 of 2 answered from a source · 0 written up as absences
What the lookup shows
What does California's lookup actually disclose?
- license status
- public discipline documents
- employer e-Notify alerts
Quote covers status plus discipline documents. The same page notes employers can subscribe to Nursys e-Notify alerts.
Source quotation
A link to any available disciplinary documents will be listed below an individual's license status.
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
Military and spouse routes
Where a service record shortens the path.
4 of 4 answered from a source · 0 written up as absences
Military pathway
Does California have a faster route for military training or veterans?
Yes
Source quotation
Expedited Licensure Application Processing for Service Members Enrolled in Skillbridge
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
How it works
What does California's military pathway actually get me?
Expedited processing for service members; SCRA portability for servicemembers and spouses relocating under military orders; fee/CEU waivers for active duty.
Quote covers SCRA portability; the same page lists expedited processing, spouse temporary licenses, and active-duty fee/CEU waivers.
Source quotation
The federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) authorizes service members or their spouses who currently hold a valid license in good standing in another state, district, or territory to practice in California
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
Military spouses
Does California extend its military pathway to spouses?
- SCRA portability
- Spouses holding a valid out-of-state license in good standing may practice in California when relocating under military orders.
- Temporary licences
- Yes
- Expedited licensure
- Yes
Quote lists the spouse programs; SCRA portability detail is in the page passage quoted under military_pathway.description.
Source quotation
Military Spouses - Temporary RN Licenses Military Spouses - Expedited Licensure
rn.ca.gov · State Board of Nursing
Open questions
Questions not yet settled from a primary source.
LVN licensure (fees, endorsement, renewal) lives with the separate Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians. Should the CA record grow LVN sections, or stay RN-scoped with the pointer?
opened 11 Sep 2026 · blocks licensure.tiers
Does California require any jurisprudence or ethics exam for RN endorsement? The endorsement requirements list license, education, and exam only, with no jurisprudence mention either way.
opened 11 Sep 2026 · blocks licensure.jurisprudence_exam_required