California Nursing CE Requirements (2026): 30 Hours Every 2 Years
Requirements Overview
Under Section 1451 of the California Business and Professions Code, each registered nurse must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education in the two-year period immediately preceding their license expiration date.
There is no annual minimum requirement — all 30 hours may be completed at any point during the renewal cycle. However, hours cannot be carried over from one renewal period to the next.
College coursework may count toward CE: 1 semester unit equals 15 contact hours, and 1 quarter unit equals 10 contact hours (must be advanced-level nursing courses). Duplicate courses taken in the same renewal cycle count only once.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implicit Bias | 1 | First renewal | Required per AB 1407 (Burke, Chapter 445, Statutes of 2021), effective January 1, 2023. Must use Board-approved CE provider. Codified in Business and Profession Code 2811.5. Required for licensees within first 2 years of holding their license immediately following initial licensure. |
| Gerontology / Dementia Care | 6 | Conditional | Required for nurse practitioners that provide primary care to a patient population of which over 25% are 65 years of age or older. 6 of the 30 CE hours must be in gerontology, special care needs of patients with dementia, or care of older patients. |
First Renewal vs. Standard Renewal
Exemptions
- First Renewal After Initial Licensure — Exempt from CE requirements during the first two years immediately following initial licensure.Implicit Bias requirement (1 hour) still applies per AB 1407.
- Inactive Status — Licensees requesting inactive status are exempt from CE requirements.Must complete CE to reactivate license.
- Employed Overseas — Employed overseas for one year or more, or resident overseas for one year or more and currently employed.Must provide evidence satisfactory to the Board.
- Federal/Military Employment — Employed by a Federal Institution/Agency or Military Services (USA), practicing nursing outside of California on a California license.Must be practicing outside the state of California.
- Hardship — Total physical disability for one year or more, or total disability of immediate family member requiring full-time care for one year or more.Must provide verification of readiness or ability to return to work.
How You Can Complete Your CE
California CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to California that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Carry-over — CE courses must have been completed during the preceding renewal period. A course with identical content and objectives taken twice during the same renewal cycle will have its contact hours counted only once. No carryover provision is mentioned.
- CME Category 1 is acceptable for meeting RN CE requirements.
- CPR and BLS courses are NOT acceptable. Basic EKG/dysrhythmia and basic IV courses are also not acceptable. Instructor courses in CPR, BLS, and ALS ARE acceptable.
- Self-improvement courses (self-therapy, self-awareness, weight loss, yoga) are not acceptable.
- Orientation programs are not acceptable.
- A course with identical content taken twice in the same renewal cycle counts only once.
- Certificates or grade-slips must be kept for four years for potential audit.
- Courses are not eligible for contact hours when the provider's CEP number is in an expired status.
- College courses: 1 quarter unit = 10 contact hours; 1 semester unit = 15 contact hours. Must be advanced level above licensure requirements.
Provider Requirements
Courses must be taken through a continuing education provider (CEP) recognized by the Board of Registered Nursing. Provider CEP numbers can be verified via the BreEZe License Verification system. CME Category 1 is acceptable. Courses approved by ANCC regional accrediting bodies (when taken out-of-state) are accepted. Courses from other state Boards of Nursing are accepted. Out-of-state organizations offering courses in California must have a Board-approved CEP number. College/university courses are accepted (1 quarter unit = 10 contact hours; 1 semester unit = 15 contact hours).
Tips for California RNs
- Start your CE early in the renewal cycle. Waiting until the last month limits your course options and adds unnecessary stress.
- Keep your CE certificates for at least 4 years. The BRN conducts random audits, and you'll need proof of completion.
- Check whether your employer offers free or subsidized CE. Many hospitals and health systems provide CE programs for their nursing staff.
- If you hold multiple state licenses, verify whether courses approved in California satisfy other states' requirements too.
Sources
Each figure on this page is taken directly from the California Board of Registered Nursing's official rules and continuing-education sources and recorded with the exact source excerpt. Last verified Mar 2026. Read how we compile and verify this data.