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California Registered Nurse Reinstatement and reactivation

Explore late renewal, reinstatement and return-to-practice steps.

Last researched

Source-linked research. Check the conditions for each requirement and confirm your circumstances with the board.

Use the boxes to track your preparation. Checking an item does not verify compliance.

Which return-to-practice route applies

  • If it has been less than 8 years since expiration, the RN may renew by paying the delinquent renewal fee and providing 30 hours of CE within the prior 2 years.

    Applies when: For a California RN license that has lapsed for less than 8 years.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      If it has been less than eight years since the license has expired, a licensee can renew his or her license by paying the delinquent renewal fee and providing proof of completing 30 hours of continuing education completed within the last two years of the date in which renewing.

  • If the license has been lapsed longer than 8 years, the RN must submit the delinquent renewal fee, 30 hours of CE, and proof of competency by active RN licensure elsewhere or retaking the exam.

    Applies when: For a California RN license lapsed 8 years or longer.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      If the license has been lapsed longer than eight years, the RN must submit the delinquent renewal fee, 30 hours of continuing education, and proof of competency to practice by either verification of a current active license in another state or U.S. territory, or by retaking the licensing exam.

  • An inactive RN license can be changed to active by submitting 30 hours of CE within the past 2 years, fingerprint compliance, and discipline/conviction reporting.

    Applies when: For a California RN changing from inactive to active.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      To change a license from inactive to active status, the licensee must submit proof of 30 hours of continuing education completed within the past two years, certify compliance with the fingerprint requirement, and report any license discipline/convictions.

Can I practice while waiting?

  • Practice as a registered nurse in California is not permitted with either a delinquent or inactive license.

    Applies when: While the RN license is delinquent or inactive.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      Practice as a registered nurse in California is not permitted with either a delinquent or inactive license.

  • A nurse may work pending license renewal only if the renewal fee was submitted timely and all renewal requirements were met.

    Applies when: For timely renewal submitted before expiration.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      Business and Professions Code, Section 121 provides that a nurse may work pending license renewal providing the renewal fee has been submitted timely and all renewal requirements have been met.

CE and return-to-practice education

  • 30 contact hours of continuing education are required for active RN renewal, through a Board-recognized provider.

    Applies when: For California RNs who wish to maintain an active license.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      All RNs in the State of California who wish to maintain an active license are required to complete 30 contact hours of continuing education for license renewal.
    2. 2. rn.ca.gov ↗
      The continuing education course(s) must be taken through a continuing education provider recognized by the Board.

  • Changing from inactive to active requires proof of 30 hours of CE completed within the past 2 years.

    Applies when: For inactive-to-active status changes.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      To change a license from inactive to active status, the licensee must submit proof of 30 hours of continuing education completed within the past two years

  • During the first 2 years immediately following initial licensure in California or other jurisdictions, licensees are exempt from the continuing education requirements, except for the Implicit Bias requirement.

    Applies when: For the first 2 years immediately following initial licensure.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      During the first two years immediately following initial licensure in California or other jurisdictions, licensees shall be exempt from completion of the continuing education requirements specified in Title 16, California Code of Regulations Section 1451, with the exception of the Implicit Bias requirement.

Application and documents

  • The packet requires the application, CE certificates, fingerprints, discipline/conviction certification, and license verification or Nursys verification.

    Applies when: For the 8-year renewal application packet.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      All applicants must download the 8-Year Renewal Application Packet and provide the following items:
    2. 2. rn.ca.gov ↗
      Completed fingerprints using either Live Scan or fingerprint card (Hard Card) processing method (Pages 3-5)
    3. 3. rn.ca.gov ↗
      License Discipline and/or Convictions certification and, if applicable, documents and/or letters explaining prior convictions or disciplinary action as directed in "Section III. Reporting License Discipline and/or Convictions" (Page 5)
    4. 4. rn.ca.gov ↗
      Completed "Verification of License" form or Nursys® Verification Application if your board of nursing participates in Nursys® (Page 9)

  • The RN may request inactive-to-active status online through BreEZe or by email using the form and instructions provided.

    Applies when: For an inactive RN seeking active status.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      There are two ways to complete this process:
    2. 2. rn.ca.gov ↗
      Online via BreEZe: Log into your BreEZe account to select "Inactive to Active" request.
    3. 3. rn.ca.gov ↗
      Submit by Email: Using the form below, you may submit your request by email.

  • Upon renewal, the Board requires licensees to indicate any license discipline or criminal convictions since the last renewal.

    Applies when: At RN renewal.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      Upon renewal of a registered nurse license, the Board requires licensees to indicate if they have had any license disciplined by a government agency or other disciplinary body; or, have been convicted of any crime in any state or U.S. territory, military court or other country since they last renewed their license.

Fees †

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    Could not confirm from the available official evidence.

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    Could not confirm from the available official evidence.

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    Could not confirm from the available official evidence.

Published processing times

  • As a courtesy, renewal notices are mailed about 3 months before the expiration date.

    Applies when: For California RN renewal notices.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      As a courtesy, renewal notices are mailed out approximately three months prior to the expiration date of the license.

  • RN licenses may not be renewed earlier than 3 months before expiration.

    Applies when: For online RN renewal timing.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      Licensees may not renew earlier than three months prior to the expiration date of their license.

  • The posted target timeframe for 8-Year Renewal is 4-6 weeks.

    Applies when: For 8-Year Renewal processing only.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      8-Year Renewal | 4-6 Weeks | August 1-15, 2026

  • Online inactive-to-active requests are processed within 72 hours if all required information is submitted; email requests take 2-4 weeks if complete.

    Applies when: For inactive-to-active status changes.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      Online requests are processed within 72 hours if all required information is submitted with the request.
    2. 2. rn.ca.gov ↗
      Email requests processing can take 2-4 weeks if all required information is submitted with the request.

Board and official links †

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    Could not confirm from the available official evidence.

  • BreEZe Online Services is the official online renewal/request portal referenced by the BRN.

    Applies when: For online RN renewal and inactive-to-active requests.

    Source evidence
    1. 1. rn.ca.gov ↗
      If you have not received a renewal notice, you can renew online through BreEZe Online Services.
    2. 2. rn.ca.gov ↗
      Online via BreEZe: Log into your BreEZe account to select "Inactive to Active" request.
  • †

    Could not confirm from the available official evidence.