1. Home
2. Consumers
3. Public Record Requests

Public Record Requests

California Public Records Act (PRA)

The public has a right to inspect and/or obtain copies of public records maintained by state and local agencies unless the record is exempt from disclosure pursuant to the California Public Records Act (PRA) (Gov. Code § 7920 et. seq.).

Records Exempt from Disclosure

Certain records are confidential and cannot be disclosed to the public. These confidential records include, but are not limited to:

• investigative records,
• complaint records, and
• criminal history information.

In general, the Public Records Act defines when documents may be withheld from public disclosure, and the Information Practices Act (IPA) (Civ. Code § 1798 et. seq.) and Constitutional Right to Privacy define when an agency must keep "personal information" from public disclosure and when it is required to disclose information to the individual to whom the information pertains. The BRN may withhold from disclosure investigative files under § 7923.600(a) of the Public Records Act, and § 7927.700 exempts disclosure of certain personal information. Public documents containing personal information may be disclosed with redactions to the personal information.

How to Submit a Public Record Request

To ensure accuracy in responding to requests for public records, the BRN encourages the submission of all requests through the online form here. If you do not wish to use the online form, you may submit your request via email to BRN.PRA@dca.ca.gov or mail. Please submit your request using only one of these methods as utilizing multiple methods may cause a delay in processing your request.

What to Expect

It may take up to 10 days for BRN staff to review the request and inform the requestor of the determination of disclosable records. Occasionally, the BRN may need up to 14 additional days to identify potentially responsive records. BRN staff will provide the requestor with an estimated date for disclosure of the public records.

Other Record Requests

All subpoenas and questions related to subpoenas must be directed to BRNPetitioners@dca.ca.gov. Do NOT submit a subpoena using the online PRA request form.

All inquiries from journalists and media outlets for information from the Board of Registered Nursing must be directed to BRN.PIO@dca.ca.gov. Do NOT submit a media request using the online PRA request form.

Pursuant to Business and Professions Code § 800(c)(1) "the contents of any central file that are not public records under any other provision of law shall be confidential except that the licensee involved, or the licensee’s counsel or representative, may inspect and have copies made of the licensee’s complete file except for the provision that may disclose the identity of an information source". A summary of a complaint may be provided to the subject of the complaint or his/her attorney under § 800(c) of the Business and Professions Code.

All 800c requests and questions related to 800c must be directed to BRN800C@dca.ca.gov. Do NOT submit an 800c request using the online PRA request form.

The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) provides information to the public regarding over 150 professional license types issued through the DCA Boards/Bureaus/Committees/Programs in accordance with the Information Practices Act, Civil Code § 1798.61, and Business and Professions Code § 161. To obtain a list of all RNs for the Board of Registered Nursing, or any other DCA board or bureau, please click on the following link:

• Public Information – Licensee Lists Overview and Files