Complete Guide for California RN License Renewal 2026 -California RN 30-Hour Complete Renewal Package & Audit-Proof Guarantee
2026 California Nursing License Renewal:
Complete Your CE Requirements
30 Hours, One Purchase, $49 – No Subscription Required
BRN Provider #CEP17292 | BVNPT Provider #VNCEP15132 | ANCC Provider #P0557
💰 Save Over $50 with Our Package Model
$49 one-time purchase
Exactly 30 hours you need
No recurring charges
$50-60/year = $100-120 over 2 years
Automatic renewals
Paying for unused courses
Understanding Your California Nursing License Renewal
All nurses in the state of California who wish to maintain an active license are required to complete 30 contact hours of continuing education for each license renewal. These courses must be taken through a continuing education provider recognized by the California Board of Nursing. Renew Now CE is a provider recognized by both the California Board of Registered Nursing (Provider ID CEP17292) and the California Board of Vocational Nursing & Psychiatric Technicians (Provider ID VNCEP15132).
RN vs LVN Renewal: What You Need to Know
✅ What RNs and LVNs Have in Common
| Requirement | RNs | LVNs |
|---|---|---|
| CE Hours Required | 30 contact hours | 30 contact hours |
| Renewal Frequency | Every 2 years | Every 2 years |
| License Expiration | Last day of birth month | Last day of birth month |
| First Renewal Exemption | Yes (except implicit bias) | Yes (except implicit bias) |
🔍 Key Differences Between RN and LVN Renewal
Registered Nurses (RNs)
- Governing Board: California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN)
- Provider Approval: Must use BRN-approved providers (CEP numbers)
- Renewal Fee: $190 (subject to change)
- Our Approval: CEP17292 ✅
Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs)
- Governing Board: California Board of Vocational Nursing & Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT)
- Provider Approval: Must use BVNPT-approved providers (VNCEP numbers)
- Renewal Fee: $305 (subject to change)
- Our Approval: VNCEP15132 ✅
💡 Have Both RN and LVN Licenses? Good news! You only need to complete 30 hours of CE – the same 30 hours count for both licenses as long as they're from dually-approved providers like Renew Now CE. You'll pay separate renewal fees to each board, but one CE package covers both.
Who Needs What: Your Complete California CE Checklist
📋 First-Time Renewers (Within 2 Years of Initial Licensure)
What You Need:
- ✅ 1 hour Implicit Bias Training (required since January 1, 2023)
- ❌ 30 hours of general CE (EXEMPT for first renewal)
- ✅ Renewal fee payment
Complete the implicit bias requirement early, but know you're exempt from the 30-hour requirement for your first renewal. This gives you extra time to build your career without CE pressure.
Get 1-Hour Implicit Bias Training – $20 →📋 Standard RN Renewal (Second Renewal and Beyond)
What You Need:
- ✅ 30 contact hours from BRN-approved provider
- ✅ All courses completed within 2-year renewal period
- ✅ Courses relevant to RN practice
- ✅ Renewal fee ($190)
Our Complete RN Package Includes:
- 10 hours: Pharmacology – Common Primary Care & Med-Surg Medications
- 6 hours: Heart Failure Management (includes 2 pharmacology hours)
- 3 hours: Cannabis in Healthcare (pharmacology)
- 10 hours: Obesity Epidemic and Nutrition
- 1 hour: Ketamine & Treatment-Resistant Depression (pharmacology)
✅ Total: 30 hours (16 pharmacology hours included – perfect for NPs!)
Complete RN Package – $49 →📋 Standard LVN Renewal (Second Renewal and Beyond)
What You Need:
- ✅ 30 contact hours from BVNPT-approved provider
- ✅ All courses completed within 2-year renewal period
- ✅ Courses relevant to LVN scope of practice
- ✅ Renewal fee ($305)
Our Complete LVN Package Includes:
Same high-quality courses as RN package, tailored to LVN practice scope:
- 10 hours: Pharmacology for vocational nursing practice
- 6 hours: Heart Failure Management
- 3 hours: Cannabis therapeutic applications
- 10 hours: Nutrition and obesity management
- 1 hour: Mental health pharmacotherapy
✅ Total: 30 hours
Complete LVN Package – $49 →📋 Nurse Practitioners & APRNs
What You Need:
- ✅ 30 contact hours from BRN-approved provider
- ✅ 3 additional hours on Schedule II controlled substances (if you have prescriptive authority)
- ✅ All courses relevant to APRN practice
- ✅ Renewal fee
Our 30-hour package includes 16 hours of ANCC-approved pharmacology, perfect for advanced practice providers. You'll still need to add the 3-hour Schedule II controlled substances requirement separately.
Single Purchase Nursing CE Package vs Subscription: The Real Cost Over 2 Years
Let's break down what California nurses actually pay over a standard 2-year renewal cycle. The numbers speak for themselves.
| Provider Type | Year 1 | Year 2 | Total Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ Renew Now CE Package | $49 | $0 | $49 | Exactly 30 hours needed |
| Subscription Model A | $49.99 | $49.99 | $99.98 | Unlimited access (if you remember to use it) |
| Subscription Model B | $59 | $59 | $118 | Unlimited courses + features you may not need |
💡 Break-Even Analysis
Question: When does a subscription make sense?
Answer: Only if you need more than 60 hours of CE within 2 years.
- Our package: $49 for 30 hours = $1.63/hour
- Typical subscription: $100 for unlimited = Break-even at 61+ hours
Reality check: California RNs and LVNs need exactly 30 hours every 2 years. Unless you're pursuing additional certifications or hold multiple state licenses, you're overpaying with a subscription.
Why Choose Renew Now CE for Your California License?
✅ Dual Board Approval
Approved by both California Board of Registered Nursing (CEP17292) and Board of Vocational Nursing (VNCEP15132). One provider covers both RN and LVN needs.
✅ ANCC Accredited
American Nurses Credentialing Center accreditation (Provider #P0557) means nationally recognized quality standards and evidence-based content.
✅ Transparent Pricing
$49 for 30-hour package. $20 for implicit bias. No hidden fees, no subscriptions, no surprises. What you see is what you pay.
✅ Designed for Busy Nurses
Self-paced, mobile-friendly, save progress anytime. No tests for most courses. Instant certificate downloads.
✅ US-Based Support
Real people, helpful answers. Email support with quick responses. Resource library with renewal guides and FAQs.
✅ Audit-Ready Records
Professional certificates stored permanently in your account. Reprint anytime. Keep for 4+ years as required by boards.
Continuing Education for California Nurses
A licensee within the first 2 years of holding their license must complete 1 hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course. For subsequent renewals, 30 contact hours of continuing education (CE) are required for license renewal.
Courses must be taken within 2 years of the renewal date on the license as per requirements of the California Board of Nursing.
Finish All CE Requirements with Renew Now CE's 30-Hour California Complete Nursing Package
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When do you renew your California nursing license?
When first receiving your nursing license, it will be valid/issued for two birthdays (not just two years), expiring the last day of the month following your birthdate the second year. Then it will expire every two years in the same month.
2. What CE is required to renew my California nursing license?
To renew your nursing license in California and keep it active, you're required to complete 30 contact hours of continuing education. These courses can be taken through any continuing education provider recognized by the California Board of Nursing. Renew Now CE is a provider recognized by both the California Board of Registered Nursing (Provider ID CEP17292) and the California Board of Vocational Nursing & Psychiatric Technicians (Provider ID VNCEP15132).
3. Can I use your courses for both my RN and LVN licenses?
Yes! The same 30 hours count for both licenses since we're approved by both the California Board of Registered Nursing and the Board of Vocational Nursing. You'll still pay separate renewal fees to each board, but one CE package covers both licenses.
4. What is the California Nursing 30-Hour Package?
This package includes 30 hours of continuing education that meets the requirements by the California Board of Nursing. The courses included are:
- Pharmacology 10 hours – Common Primary Care and Med-Surg Medications – ANCC approved
- Cannabis 3 hours
- Heart Failure Management 6 hours
- The Obesity Epidemic and Nutrition 10 hours
- Ketamine 1 hour course
5. When should I start my CE?
We recommend starting 3-6 months before your renewal deadline. This allows plenty of time for completion without last-minute stress.
6. Do I need to submit certificates when I renew?
No, you attest to completion during renewal through the BreEZe system. However, you must keep certificates for 4 years in case of audit by the California Board of Nursing.
7. Do online courses count the same as in-person?
Yes! California accepts online CE from approved providers. There's no limit on online hours for RN or LVN renewal.
Ready to Renew Your California Nursing License?
Don't overpay for subscription services you don't need. Get exactly what California requires.