How to Renew RN License in California: Step-by-Step Guide

• Every state is different when it comes to nursing licensure renewal procedures, the required continuing education courses and their hours, and of course, renewal dates.
• If you are a nurse in the state of California or hold a California nursing license, the process set by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) can be a bit daunting. If you are struggling to figure out how to renew RN license in California, we’ve got you covered!
• As a one-stop-shop that is both ANCC accredited and CA BRN approved for CEUs, Nursing CE Central has compiled all the nursing license renewal information for you set forth by the California BRN!

How to Renew RN License in California: Step-by-Step Online Guide (BreEZe)

*Licensees may not renew earlier than three months prior to the expiration date of their licensure.

1. Open and Access the BreEZe System.

*If you have never registered in the new BreEze system, click on the ‘BreEZe Registration’ link in the right column under ‘New Users.’

2. From the ‘Quick Start’ menu under the ‘License Activities,’ section you should see ‘It is time to Renew!’ Click on the blue ‘Select‘ button.

3. You will now see a page labeled ‘Registered Nurse Renewal Introduction.’ Read the information and then click ‘Next.’

4. Read the Information Privacy Act and then select ‘Agree‘ to proceed.

5. Answer the Transaction Suitability Questions and then click ‘Next‘ to proceed.

IF YOU NEED TO PROCESS A NAME CHANGE STOP HERE

*To fulfill and complete the name change process:

Access the CA BRN ‘Name Change‘ page and complete the form. Once completed, please sign, print, attach any other necessary documentation, and fax it to the number or address listed. You must wait until the name change is completed to proceed with the online renewal process.

6. Answer the application questions appropriately, then click ‘Next‘ to proceed.

7. Verify that the information on the screen is correct, then click ‘Next.’

*If the ‘Next‘ button is grey, click on the ‘Address of Record’ link in the lower right corner of the screen.

8. Complete the ‘Continuing Education’ portion by clicking the ‘Add‘ button to enter a new record.

9. Enter the required information, which can be found on your CEU certificate, then click ‘Next.’  Continue this process until the required 30 CEU hours are entered then click ‘Next‘ to proceed.

10. Read and answer ALL of the renewal questions carefully. Once done, click  ‘Next.’

        *If you are renewing active, answer ‘Yes’;

**If you are renewing inactive, answer ‘No.’

***If you have submitted fingerprints to the CA BRN previously, you are considered to be compliant with this requirement and should answer ‘Yes’ to the fingerprint compliance question.

11. Click the ‘Add‘ button to begin filling out the ‘Work Location’ section. Click  ‘Next‘ once this is completed.

12. Fill out the ‘Healing Art Survey’ and click ‘Next‘ to continue.

13. On the ‘Attachments’ portion, click ‘Attach’ to add conviction, CEU (if not included in the ‘Continuing Education’ section), or any additional documentation. If you have no attachments, click ‘Next.’

14. At the ‘Application Summary’ page, review all information to make sure it is correct, and then scroll down to ‘Proceed to Payment.’

*If information requires change, click the ‘Previous’ button to make corrections to the necessary section(s).

15. ‘Attestation’ – read and select ‘Yes,” then click ‘Proceed to Payment.’

16. To complete the renewal process, either select ‘Pay Now,’ or ‘Add to Cart‘ to pay later.

17. Confirm payment details, verify fees and card type, and select ‘Next‘ to continue.

18. After selecting ‘Process,’ you will receive a ‘Successful Payment’ notification on your screen. You will have the option to print a PDF receipt for your records.

*After ‘Successful Payment,’ you should use the ‘Verify a License‘ option to view your new expiration date.

Congrats! You know know how to renew a registered nurse license in California! Enroll with Nursing CE Central for all of your licensure renewal needs! We look forward to being your preferred CE provider.

If you want to know how much it costs renew a California nursing license, or have any further questions, please visit the BRN license renewal website.

Looking for More Information? We’ve Got You Covered!

Renewal Cycle – California Board of Nursing

Your first California nursing license is issued for two birthdays NOT two years, and will expire the LAST DAY of the month following your birth date.

After that date, it will expire every two years if renewed on time.

Renewal Requirements for Continuing Education – California Board of Nursing

Continuing Education

• All nurses in the state of California who wish to maintain an active license are required to complete 30 contact hours of continuing education for each license renewal. These courses must be taken through a continuing education provider recognized by the California Board of Nursing. Nursing CE Central is a provider recognized by the state of California.
• *NEW* As of January 2023 – Newly Licensed RNs are exempt from the 30 contact hour requirement with the exception of the 1 contact hour implicit bias training that is to be completed within their first two years of licensure per Bill AB1407 Chapter 445

Fingerprints

• If you are renewing your license to an ACTIVE status, you must give the Department of Justice a full set of fingerprints as directed by the BRN. Failure to submit can lead to disciplinary action. The requirement is waived if the licensee is renewing to an INACTIVE status.

Reporting Disciplinary Action/Convictions

• Upon licensure renewal of an RN 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 US territory since last renewing their license.