California RN CE Courses (2026)
To renew your RN license in California you need to satisfy the California Board of Registered Nursing's continuing education (CE) requirement — about 30 hours per 2-year cycle. Below is what the board requires and a comparison of course providers that offer qualifying CE. This is an unofficial guide — confirm any course is board-approved before you buy.
What California requires for RN renewal
| CE hours required | 30 hours per cycle |
|---|---|
| Renewal cycle | 24 months |
| Governing body | California Board of Registered Nursing |
30 contact hours of continuing education from a Board-recognized provider during each two-year period. New licensees are exempt from CE at their first renewal except for a one-time one-hour implicit-bias course due within the first two years. Effective Jan 1, 2025, nurse practitioners doing primary care for older patients must take at least 6 of the 30 hours in gerontology/older-adult care.
Full RN renewal guide for California (deadlines, fees & CE) →
California RN CE course providers
- Nurse.com CE
Large catalog of accredited nursing CE, including state-mandated topic courses.
- Elite Learning — Nursing CE
State-specific RN CE packages bundled around each state's renewal requirements.
- CEUfast
ANCC-accredited unlimited-CE subscription accepted in most states.
- Wild Iris Medical Education
Individual accredited nursing CE courses, including pharmacology and ethics.
- Western Schools
RN CE course bundles organized by state renewal rules.
California RN CE courses: frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do I need to renew my RN license in California?
California requires about 30 continuing-education hours per renewal cycle. 30 contact hours of continuing education from a Board-recognized provider during each two-year period. New licensees are exempt from CE at their first renewal except for a one-time one-hour implicit-bias course due within the first two years. Effective Jan 1, 2025, nurse practitioners doing primary care for older patients must take at least 6 of the 30 hours in gerontology/older-adult care.
Do online RN CE courses count in California?
Online courses generally count when the provider is approved by or recognized by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Always confirm a course is accepted before you buy it.
Where do I report my California RN CE?
California generally has you attest to CE at renewal and keep your own documentation in case of an audit. Confirm the current process with the California Board of Registered Nursing.
Requirement last verified 2026-06-01 from the California Board of Registered Nursing. Always confirm current rules with the board before relying on this.
Official California Board of Registered Nursing site →
RN CE courses in another state
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- Wyoming RN CE courses
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