Nursing License Requirements in California
California licenses two types of nurses through separate boards. LVNs apply to the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians and pass the NCLEX-PN. Registered nurses apply to the California Board of Registered Nursing and pass the NCLEX-RN. California is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so a California license is valid in California only.
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California has two licensing boards for nurses, not one. LVNs are licensed by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT). Registered nurses are licensed by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). Both boards require completion of a state-approved program and passage of a national NCLEX exam before a license is issued. California has more than 570,000 licensed registered nurses statewide, according to current California BRN statistics. If you’re looking for CNA or nurse practitioner requirements, those are handled separately: California CNA requirements and California nurse practitioner requirements.
Use the links below to jump to LVN and RN license requirements, application steps, renewal information, and professional associations.
- LVN vs. RN: California’s Two Nursing Boards
- LVN License Requirements
- Out-of-State LVN Applicants
- RN License Requirements
- Out-of-State RN Applicants
- License Renewal in California
- Professional Nursing Associations
LVN vs. RN: California’s Two Nursing Boards
California splits nursing oversight between two boards depending on the license type. The BVNPT handles LVN licensure. The BRN handles RN licensure. Both require NCLEX passage, but the exams differ: LVNs take the NCLEX-PN, RNs take the NCLEX-RN. The RN exam tests a higher level of clinical judgment and independent decision-making, reflecting the broader scope of practice RNs carry.
| License | Licensing Board | Licensing Exam | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| LVN | California BVNPT | NCLEX-PN | $150 (BVNPT) + $200 (Pearson VUE) |
| RN | California BRN | NCLEX-RN | $150 (BRN) + $200 (Pearson VUE) |
California is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). A California nursing license authorizes practice in California only. Nurses relocating from a compact state cannot use their multistate privilege here and must apply for a California license through the endorsement process.
Both boards publish NCLEX pass rates by school. The BVNPT lists LVN program pass rates on its site; the BRN publishes RN program pass rates separately. Reviewing pass rates before selecting a program is a practical step the boards recommend.
LVN License Requirements in California
LVN Education Requirements
Prospective LVNs must complete 12th grade or the equivalent, then attend a BVNPT-approved vocational nursing program. Most programs run 12 to 18 months. Graduates of programs approved in other states are eligible for licensure in California, as are individuals who completed equivalent training through military service.
California also allows an alternative pathway for candidates with substantial bedside experience. Applicants who have completed at least 51 months of paid inpatient nursing work, or a combination of partial formal nursing education and bedside experience, may qualify to sit for the NCLEX-PN without completing a traditional program. The BVNPT evaluates each application individually.
The BVNPT has issued warnings about unapproved schools that misrepresent their approval status. Completing a program not on the BVNPT’s approved list disqualifies a candidate from licensure. The current list of approved California LVN programs is on the Board site.
See: LVN programs in California
LVN Application Process and NCLEX-PN
Applications are submitted through the BVNPT. Fingerprinting is required for all applicants. California residents use Live Scan and pay $49 in DOJ/FBI processing fees, plus any Live Scan operator fee. Out-of-state applicants can’t use Live Scan and must submit fingerprint cards instead. The application fee is $150, paid to the BVNPT. Candidates must also verify high school education or equivalency as part of the application. Application materials are available on the BVNPT applicants page.
The NCLEX-PN exam fee is $200, paid to Pearson VUE. California must approve each candidate before the exam can be scheduled, which can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing site, inside or outside California. Candidates who don’t pass must wait 45 days before retaking and pay both the BVNPT application fee and the Pearson exam fee again. Graduates of California programs may work under an interim permit while waiting to sit for the exam.
Out-of-State LVN Applicants
Out-of-state candidates apply for California licensure by endorsement. The process requires verifying license status via a paper form or an online system and submitting $199 to cover application and fingerprinting fees. Full instructions are on the BVNPT endorsement page. International candidates are eligible for endorsement if they took the NCLEX-PN or its predecessor exam.
One important distinction: California does not issue temporary licenses to out-of-state applicants for the LVN endorsement. Unlike the RN endorsement process, there’s no option to work while the permanent license is pending. Out-of-state LVNs must wait until they obtain a permanent license before practicing in California.
RN License Requirements in California
RN Education Requirements
A prospective RN must complete a nursing program approved by the California BRN. Both ADN and BSN programs qualify. The current list of approved California RN programs is maintained on the BRN site. The American Nurses Association California (anacalifornia.org) is an additional resource for candidates navigating the RN path in California.
See: RN programs in California
RN Application Process and NCLEX-RN
The application process includes several steps, some of which can be completed before graduation. All applicants must pass a criminal background check. California residents use Live Scan for fingerprinting, though exemptions are sometimes granted. The application includes a 2″ x 2″ photograph requirement. Most materials are in the PDF application packet on the BRN licensing page. Applications can be submitted online through the BreEZe portal.
The application fee is $150, paid to the BRN. An interim permit or temporary license costs an additional $50. The NCLEX-RN exam fee is $200, paid to Pearson VUE. Candidates who have met the BRN’s interim permit requirements, including completed fingerprinting, may work under an interim permit while waiting to take the exam. Candidates who fail must reapply to the BRN and pay the application fee again before retesting. The BRN provides a list of NCLEX prep resources in its exam application packet, though it does not endorse specific providers. Financial assistance for qualifying LVNs and RNs may be available through California’s Health Professions Education Foundation.
Out-of-State RN Applicants
Both out-of-state and internationally licensed nurses are eligible for California RN licensure by endorsement. Candidates must verify the state in which they originally passed the licensing exam and their current state of licensure. The BRN endorsement application is available on the BRN endorsement page, and most candidates can apply online through BreEZe.
A temporary license, valid for six months and costing $50, allows endorsed candidates to work while the Board licenses the permanent license. The temporary license won’t be issued until fingerprint results from the California DOJ and FBI have been received. Candidates who have already completed the background check can hand-carry materials to the Board office to expedite the process.
Excelsior College graduates are subject to the same endorsement requirements as other out-of-state applicants. Candidates who enrolled in an Excelsior program on or after December 6, 2003, must have completed supervised clinical practice concurrently with nursing theory.
Military spouses and domestic partners on active duty in California qualify for expedited licensure under state law. Include a copy of the marriage certificate or domestic partnership declaration and a copy of military orders with the application.
International candidates must submit a “Breakdown of Educational Program for International Nursing Programs” form along with their transcript request. Transcripts not in English require professional translation. Candidates from non-English-speaking countries who want to work under an interim permit while waiting for the NCLEX-RN must submit TOEFL scores. Canadian candidates who took a pre-1980 licensing exam may be exempt from the NCLEX-RN. The Canadian Comprehensive Examination does not substitute for it.
License Renewal in California
California nursing licenses renew on a two-year cycle. RN licenses expire at midnight on the last day of the licensee’s birth month in the renewal year. There is no grace period: a license becomes delinquent immediately if not renewed on time. LVN renewal deadlines follow a similar structure under BVNPT rules.
Both RNs and LVNs must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years as a condition of renewal, as required by the relevant Board. California RN licensees who approve CE providers in their initial two-year period are exempt from the CE requirement for that cycle. Renewals for both license types are processed through the BreEZe online portal.
Professional and Student Nursing Associations in California
LVN career path: Becoming an LVN in California
RN career path: Becoming an RN in California
- California Nurses Association
- American Nurses Association California
- California Nursing Students’ Association
- California Board of Registered Nursing
- California Board of Vocational Nursing & Psychiatric Technicians
Find nursing license requirements in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does California participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
No. California is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). A California nursing license authorizes practice in California only. Nurses holding a compact multistate license from another state cannot use that license to practice in California. Out-of-state nurses must apply for a California license through the endorsement process.
How much does it cost to get a nursing license in California?
The fees are the same for LVN and RN initial applications: $150 to the state board (BVNPT for LVNs, BRN for RNs) plus $200 to Pearson VUE for the NCLEX exam. RN applicants who want a temporary license while their applications are being processed pay an additional $50. California residents also pay $49 in DOJ/FBI processing fees plus any Live Scan operator fee.
Can I work in California while my license application is being processed?
RN applicants who have met the BRN’s interim permit requirements can work under an interim permit while waiting to take the NCLEX-RN. Out-of-state RNs applying by endorsement can obtain a temporary license for $50 to work while the BRN finalizes their permanent license. LVN graduates of California programs may also work under an interim permit. Out-of-state LVN endorsement applicants don’t receive a temporary license and must wait for the permanent license before practicing.
How do I renew my California nursing license?
California nursing licenses renew every two years through the BreEZe online portal. Both RNs and LVNs must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education from a board-approved provider before renewal. RN licenses expire on the last day of the birth month in the renewal year. There’s no grace period, so submitting well before the deadline is advisable.
How do I transfer my nursing license from another state to California?
Through licensure by endorsement. RN candidates apply through the California BRN. LVN candidates apply through the BVNPT. You’ll need to verify your original licensing exam passage and your current state license. California is not a compact state, so a multistate license doesn’t authorize practice here on its own.
Key Takeaways
- Two boards, two licenses — LVNs are licensed by the BVNPT. RNs are licensed by the California BRN. Each Board has its own application process with separate fees and requirements.
- Both types require passing the NCLEX—LVNs take the NCLEX-PN. RNs take the NCLEX-RN. Both are administered by Pearson VUE for a $200 exam fee, in addition to the $150 board application fee.
- Not a compact state — California doesn’t participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact. Out-of-state nurses must apply for endorsement before practicing in California, regardless of their home state’s membership in the compact.
- Renewal every two years — Both LVN and RN licenses require 30 CE hours every two years and are renewed through the BreEZe online portal.
- Temporary licenses for RNs, not LVNs, by endorsement — RN applicants can obtain an interim permit or temporary license to work during processing. Out-of-state LVN endorsement applicants must wait for the permanent license before practicing.
Find California-approved LVN and RN nursing programs, including application links and program details for your area.