Below is exactly what California Board of Registered Nursing requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.
Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed April 25, 2026
California has no state-mandated topic requirements beyond the 30-hour total.
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.
Newly licensed California RNs must complete 1 hour of implicit bias training within their first two years of licensure
“newly licensed RNs within their first two years must complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course”
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 system | Notes |
|---|---|
ANCC Contact Hour | California BRN accepts CE from BRN-approved providers. ANCC contact hours from BRN-approved providers are accepted.Sourcehttps://www.rn.ca.gov/licensees/ce-renewal.shtml[1] |
Board-approved credit | CE must be from a California BRN-approved provider. Not all nationally accredited CE automatically qualifies — providers must be approved by or meet California BRN criteria.Sourcehttps://www.rn.ca.gov/licensees/ce-renewal.shtml[1] |
Physicians are responsible for retaining CME documentation and producing it on request. Requirements include course title, dates, hours, sponsoring organization, and accrediting body.
Nurses who have not practiced during the renewal period, are currently licensed in another state, or are in certain inactive-license categories may qualify for exemptions. Details should be confirmed with the California BRN.
Atlas CME tracks your hours, maps them to your state requirements, and reminds you before your your license anniversary renewal.
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.
“newly licensed RNs within their first two years must complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course”Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 2811.5 · Effective 2023-01-01