Nurses · California · Continuing education
California Nursing CE Requirements & License Renewal (2026)
01 In short
- RN30 contact hours every 2 years, including 1 h implicit bias & cultural competency (before the first renewal); renewal by the end of your birth month.
- LVN30 hours every 2 years; renewal on the date shown on your license.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
02 Calculator
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03 Requirements
California RN CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 30contact hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Birth month
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By the end of your birth month
- Accepted credit
- Courses from a CE provider recognized by the Board of Registered Nursing (check the provider's CEP number); CME Category 1 and advanced college courses also count; no limit on home study
- Renewal fee
- $190
- New licensees
- Exempt from the 30 hours during the first two years after initial licensure (first renewal after NCLEX), except the 1-hour implicit bias course.
- Audits & records
- All RNs are subject to random CE audits; keep certificates or grade slips for 4 years.
- Renew online
- www.breeze.ca.gov ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Implicit bias & cultural competencylicensees within the first 2 years after initial licensure | 1 | before the first renewal |
Good to know. License expires the last day of the birth month every two years (first license runs for two birthdays). Inactive status possible without CE. Course details are entered in BreEZe at renewal; certificates are shown only on audit.
Source: www.rn.ca.gov · Title 16, California Code of Regulations, Section 1451 · checked Oct 28, 2026
California LVN CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 30hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- On license
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- On the date shown on your license
- Renewal fee
- $305
- New licensees
- No CE required for the first renewal after the license is issued.
- Audits & records
- Do not send certificates; keep them 4 years and submit copies if audited.
- Renew online
- www.bvnpt.ca.gov ↗
Good to know. LVNs are licensed by the separate Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (bvnpt.ca.gov). 30 hours completed within 2 years before renewal for an active license; inactive license needs no CE. Expiration basis not stated on the page read.
Source: www.bvnpt.ca.gov · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in California
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2027 Annual Leadership Symposium: Together at the Table
from $50
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Hospital Medicine for NPs & PAs 2027
-
2027 ANIA Annual Conference
-
CANP 2027 Annual Educational Conference
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NHIA 2027 Annual Conference
from $930
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48th National Conference on Pediatric Health Care
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Spring 2027 Acute and Critical Care Neuro Symposium
-
2027 Annual SoCal ARN Chapter Conference
from $100
05 Questions
How do I verify a nurse license in California?
Use the license lookup of the California Board of Registered Nursing (RN); Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (LVN) (rn.ca.gov); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal.
How many CE hours do nurses need in California?
RN: 30 contact hours every 2 years. LVN: 30 hours every 2 years.
Which CE courses count for nurses in California?
RN: Courses from a CE provider recognized by the Board of Registered Nursing (check the provider's CEP number); CME Category 1 and advanced college courses also count; no limit on home study.
How much does a nurse license renewal cost in California?
RN: $190 per renewal, as listed by the board. LVN: $305 per renewal, as listed by the board.
When is the renewal deadline for nurses in California?
RN: Licenses renew by the end of your birth month (2 years cycle). LVN: Licenses renew on the date shown on your license (2 years cycle).
How do nurses report CE in California?
RN: By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit. LVN: By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit.