California is an attractive destination for the best HCPs in the country, and it is not hard to see why. As the most populous state (around 39.2), demand for healthcare is sky high and will only grow in the coming years. As a result, HCPs enjoy high employment rates and some of the best healthcare salaries in the country. No RN, CN or LVN can sit on their laurels, however, and California-based nurses are no exception. You will be expected to periodically renew your license. Like every other state, California has its own unique renewal process and requirements. To help you out with your next renewal, we have laid out a step-by-step guide for nurse license renewal in the Golden State.
Renewing your HCP License
Keep track of the renewal period
Before you prepare for license renewal, you need to know when your license will expire. Although you will receive a notice three months before your license expires, you want to complete your requirements well in advance. When your RN and LVN licenses are first given, it will be valid for two birthdays and expires on the final day of the month following your birthday. After that, the renewal period changes to once every two years. CNAs meanwhile, renew every two years from the start.
Fulfill your continuing education requirements
Before you can renew your license, the state nursing board requires you to finish a certain number of Continuing Education Units (CEUs.) This is to ensure that HCPs remain updated and informed about an ever changing healthcare landscape that is constantly changing. Different levels of HCP have different requirements. Both RNs and LVNs require at least 30 contact hours of continuing education from a state-approved program and provider. This requirement is waived for the first two-year renewal period. Meanwhile, CNAs will be made to finish 48 hours of continuing education and in-service training. During that renewal period, you also need to log salaried CNA hours under a qualified supervising HCP.
Apply for online licensure renewal
Nowadays, the HCP renewal process has become digitized, nationwide. Healthcare heroes can now apply for nursing license renewal online from the comfort of their own houses, and California’s HCPs are no exception. If the process is confusing for you, then the California Government has created an official guide for the online application process.
For a quick summary: you want to register and log in to the government’s official BreEZe online portal. From the Quick Start Menu, go to the Licensed Activities Section and hover over “it’s time to renew.” If your License is within 90 days of expiration, you can click “Select.” Read the Renewal Introduction carefully, as it contains the requirements and other vital information, before clicking “next.” Be sure to answer all the questions correctly, and fill all forms with updated information.
Once you have completed your application, you can click “proceed to payment.” Fees will differ based on your HCP profession. At the time of writing, LVNs have to pay a $305 biennial renewal fee, while RNs pay $190 within the same period of time. If you are renewing past the expiration date, expect to cover for additional fees.
Additional Information:
- How to Renew your CNA License in California
- How to Renew your RN License in California
- How to Renew your LVN License in California
Contact information
If you need further clarification on how to renew your nurse license, you can refer to the official California Board of Nursing website here. If this does not suffice, you can contact the nurse board directly through the following channels:
Mail Address:
Board of Registered Nursing
PO Box 944210
Sacramento, CA 94244-2100
Phone Number: 916-322-3350
Address:
Board of Registered Nursing
1747 N. Market Blvd., Suite 150
Sacramento, CA 95834-1924
