California Board of Registered Nursing · NP

30 hours. Every two years. Tied to your license anniversary.

Below is exactly what California Board of Registered Nursing requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.

Updated April 2026Sourced from CBRN~3 min read

Compiled by Atlas CME from official board sources · Last updated April 25, 2026

Mandatory topics

California has no state-mandated topic requirements beyond the 30-hour total.

Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your California cycle automatically. Start tracking free →
Conditional requirements

These rules apply only when the trigger described under each card is met (for example, holding a state-issued controlled substance registration or treating a specific patient population). Each cites the underlying statute or rule directly.

ConditionalImplicit Bias[1]
1 hr
One-time

Newly licensed California NPs must complete 1 hour of implicit bias training within their first two years of licensure

View sourceVerbatim from source
“must complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider that has been approved by the Board of Registered Nursing”
CA Board of Registered Nursing — Continuing Education for License Renewal, Implicit Bias Requirement (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 2811.5; AB 1407)See source [1] in Primary Sources
ConditionalGeriatric Medicine[1]
6 hrs
Biennial

California NPs providing primary care where more than 25% of patients are 65 or older must complete at least 6 of their 30 CE hours in gerontology, dementia, or older patient care

View sourceVerbatim from source
“Nurse practitioners that provide primary care to a patient population of which over 25% are 65 years of age or older must complete at least 6 of the 30 continuing education hours required to renew their registered nurse license, in a course in the field of gerontology, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients.”
CA Board of Registered Nursing — Continuing Education for License Renewal, Advanced Practice Certificates (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 2811.5)See source [1] in Primary Sources
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, California Medical Association, or AAFP. ACGME residency or fellowship time accrues toward the requirement. Teaching or presenting accredited CME can satisfy a portion of required hours.

Credit systemNotes
ANCC Contact Hour
California BRN-approved CE providers. ANCC contact hours from BRN-approved providers are accepted. National certification maintenance CE may also be accepted.Sourcehttps://www.rn.ca.gov/licensees/ce-renewal.shtml[1]
Board-approved credit
CE must be from a California BRN-approved provider. Provider approval is required for hours to count toward California renewal.Sourcehttps://www.rn.ca.gov/licensees/ce-renewal.shtml[1]
Documentation & audit

Physicians are responsible for retaining CME documentation and producing it on request. Requirements include course title, dates, hours, sponsoring organization, and accrediting body.

Waivers & exemptions

Inactive licensees and certain other qualifying categories may be exempt from CE requirements. Confirm with the California BRN.

FAQ
Can California NPs practice independently?
As of January 1, 2023, California NPs who have completed at least 3 years or 4,600 hours of post-certification practice in a physician-supervised setting may apply for independent practice authority under AB 890. NPs who have not yet met the experience threshold must practice under physician oversight during a transition-to-practice period.
Do California NPs need to maintain national certification?
Yes. National APRN certification from a BRN-recognized certifying body (ANCC, AANP, or equivalent) is required as a foundational credential for California NP certification. Maintenance of current national certification is a renewal requirement.
Is California a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
No. California is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). California nurses hold single-state licenses. Nurses licensed in compact states cannot practice in California using their compact privilege and must obtain a California license.

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Other roles in California

Nurse Practitioners CME requirements in other states

Sources & Citations

Every mandatory topic and conditional requirement above cites the underlying statute or rule. Numbered references below correspond to the bracketed citations next to each requirement.

  1. https://www.rn.ca.gov/licensees/ce-renewal.shtml
    Source
    Show verbatim text
    “must complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider that has been approved by the Board of Registered Nursing”CA Board of Registered Nursing — Continuing Education for License Renewal, Implicit Bias Requirement (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 2811.5; AB 1407) · Effective 2023-01-01
    “Nurse practitioners that provide primary care to a patient population of which over 25% are 65 years of age or older must complete at least 6 of the 30 continuing education hours required to renew their registered nurse license, in a course in the field of gerontology, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients.”CA Board of Registered Nursing — Continuing Education for License Renewal, Advanced Practice Certificates (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 2811.5) · Effective 2025-01-01

This page is provided for general educational purposes and reflects the best available information as of the last reviewed date above. CME requirements change. Atlas CME is not affiliated with the California Board of Registered Nursing, or any other state medical board, licensing authority, or professional organization. Physicians are solely responsible for verifying their own current CME requirements directly with their state medical board before relying on any information presented here.

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