California Registered Nurse Reinstatement and reactivation

A nurse may work pending license renewal only if the renewal fee was submitted timely and all renewal requirements have been met; otherwise an RN cannot practice with an inactive license or an expired license, and practice is not permitted with a delinquent license.

Applies when: For an RN whose California RN license is inactive, expired/lapsed, or delinquent, or who is in the interval between a timely renewal submission and receipt of the renewed license.

A licensee cannot practice as a registered nurse in California with an inactive license. A licensee cannot practice in California with an expired license. Practice as a registered nurse in California is not permitted with either a delinquent or inactive license.

Applies when: While the license is inactive or expired.

Business and Professions Code, Section 121 provides that a nurse may work pending license renewal providing the renewal fee has been submitted timely and all renewal requirements have been met.

Applies when: After timely submission and before license receipt.

Practice as a registered nurse in California is not permitted with either a delinquent or inactive license.

Applies when: License is inactive or delinquent

Business and Professions Code, Section 121 provides that a nurse may work pending license renewal providing the renewal fee has been submitted timely and all renewal requirements have been met.

Applies when: Renewal fee was submitted timely and all renewal requirements were met

A licensee cannot practice in California with an expired license.

Applies when: License is expired

To change a license from inactive to active, the licensee must submit proof of 30 hours of continuing education completed within the past two years; maintaining an active license requires 30 contact hours of CE taken through a Board-recognized provider.

Applies when: For a California RN license changing from INACTIVE to ACTIVE, or renewing to ACTIVE status.

During the first two years immediately following initial licensure in California or other jurisdictions, licensees are exempt from CE requirements except the Implicit Bias requirement.

Applies when: For licensees during the first two years immediately following initial licensure in California or other jurisdictions.

To update your skills, many hospitals provide nurse re-entry programs; another alternative is to check the list of RN Refresher Courses.

Applies when: Informational resource for inactive RN return to work.

Continuing education course(s) must be taken through a continuing education provider recognized by the Board, and all RNs who wish to maintain an active license are required to complete 30 contact hours of continuing education for license renewal.

Applies when: For active RN renewal.

To change a license from inactive to active status, the licensee must submit proof of 30 hours of continuing education completed within the past two years.

Applies when: For inactive-to-active California RN status changes.

If the license has been lapsed longer than eight years, the RN must submit 30 hours of continuing education.

Applies when: For 8-year renewal of a lapsed California RN license.

During the first two years immediately following initial licensure in California or other jurisdictions, licensees are exempt from completion of the continuing education requirements specified in Title 16, California Code of Regulations Section 1451, with the exception of the Implicit Bias requirement.

Applies when: For the first 2 years after initial licensure in California or another jurisdiction.

To change a license from inactive to active status, the licensee must submit proof of 30 hours of continuing education completed within the past two years.

Applies when: Changing inactive to active status

If the license has been lapsed longer than eight years, the RN must submit 30 hours of continuing education and proof of competency to practice by either verification of a current active license in another state/U.S. territory or by retaking the licensing exam.

Applies when: License lapsed longer than 8 years

To change a license from inactive to active, the licensee must submit proof of 30 hours of CE completed within the past two years, certify compliance with the fingerprint requirement, and report any license discipline/convictions.

Applies when: For a California RN using the inactive-to-active status change.

RN licenses may not be renewed earlier than three months prior to the expiration date. Online inactive-to-active requests are processed within 72 hours if all required information is submitted; email requests can take 2-4 weeks if all required information is submitted.

Applies when: For California RN renewal timing and for INACTIVE-to-ACTIVE requests submitted online or by email.

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

Applies when: For California RN renewal timing.

Online requests are processed within 72 hours if all required information is submitted with the request.

Applies when: For online inactive-to-active status changes.

Email requests processing can take 2-4 weeks if all required information is submitted with the request.

Applies when: For email inactive-to-active status changes.

As a courtesy, renewal notices are mailed out approximately three months prior to the expiration date of the license.

Applies when: Routine renewal notices

RN renewal is completed online through BreEZe Online Services, including selecting the “Inactive to Active” request from a BreEZe account; the responsible board is the Board of Registered Nursing.

Applies when: For California RN license renewal and inactive-to-active requests.

The only way to renew your license is online via BreEZe Online Services. There are two ways to complete inactive-to-active requests: online via BreEZe account selecting “Inactive to Active” request.

Applies when: For RN renewal-related online submissions.

Licensees may renew their RN license online through BreEZe Online Services. There are two ways to complete this process: Online via BreEZe: Log into your BreEZe account to select “Inactive to Active” request.

Applies when: For RN renewal and some status changes.