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State Cert Guide

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How many CE hours does an RN need to renew in California?

California RNs need 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years to keep an active license, unless an exemption applies. Courses must come from a provider the Board of Registered Nursing recognizes. Home study counts, with no limit on hours. A first renewal within two years of passing the national exam is exempt, except for the implicit bias course. This page covers RNs.

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The rule, fact by fact

Course hours
30 contact hours of continuing education every two yearsAn RN completes these hours in addition to paying the renewal fee.
Verified. California Board of Registered Nursing · Continuing education for license renewal (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Agency
Board of Registered NursingCourses count only from a provider this board recognizes.
Same source and date as above
Who needs it
Registered nursesState law requires them to complete continuing education every two years to keep an active license.
Same source and date as above
Online accepted
No limit on contact hours from independent or home study coursesCategory 1 continuing medical education also counts, if you take it within the appropriate time frames.
Same source and date as above
Rule
California Code of Regulations, Section 1451The Board points to this section of the California Code of Regulations.
Same source and date as above

How to get it done

  1. Step 1. Check which rule applies to you. California requires its RNs to complete continuing education to keep an active license, unless an exemption applies.

  2. Step 2. Pick a provider the Board of Registered Nursing recognizes. Courses have to be taken through one. Home study and independent courses count, with no limit on hours.

  3. Step 3. Take 30 contact hours of continuing education during the renewal period right before you renew.

  4. Step 4. If you are within the first 2 years of holding your license, take one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course from a provider the Board has approved.

Before you pay

We haven’t confirmed a course price or a fee. Before you pay, ask the provider for its Board of Registered Nursing provider number. Courses only count when they are taken through a provider the Board recognizes.

Questions

Does a provider's number matter?

Yes. The Board advises RNs to check the status of the provider's CEP number with BreEZe License Verification. Courses are not eligible for contact hours when the provider number is in an expired status.

When do I have to finish my hours?

In the renewal period right before you renew. If you are renewing a delinquent or lapsed license, or going from inactive to active, the hours must come from the preceding two years.

How do I report my first renewal after the exam?

Enter "EXEMPT" as the course name, "NCLEX" as the provider name, today's date as the date of completion and "30" as the number of CE hours. This applies if you obtained your initial RN license by passing the national licensing examination within the past two years and this is your first renewal.

How long do I keep my certificates?

For four years. If you are audited, your certificates or grade-slips are the proof that you finished the hours.

I am a nurse practitioner. Does anything change?

Nurse practitioners whose primary care patients are over 25% age 65 or older must take at least 6 of the 30 hours in a course on gerontology, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients.

What to do next

Start with the California Board of Registered Nursing page on continuing education for license renewal. Check your provider’s status there before you pay for a course.

rn.ca.gov

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