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Licensee Frequently Asked Questions

• General Renewal Information
  • Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) Licensure Data Collection FAQs
• Renewing a Delinquent License
• Inactive Status
• Retired Status
• The Green Project
• Technical FAQs (BreEZe Online Services)

General Renewal Information

• How can I renew my license?

  The only way to renew your license is online via BreEZe Online Services. You must have a California RN license that expires within the next 90 days or that is delinquent by no more than eight years from the last expiration date and a major credit card to renew online.

  Renewal instructions can be found on our License/Certificate Renewal page.

• Can I be issued an extension for my renewal?
  No. There is no grace period from the time a license expires until it is renewed. A courtesy renewal notice is sent to the licensee approximately three months prior to the expiration date of the license. It is the responsibility of each RN to make sure his or her license is renewed in a timely manner.
• My license has been renewed in your system, but I have yet to receive my renewed pocket card and my employer needs proof of renewal. How can I obtain proof that I've renewed by license?
  Pocket cards are no longer issued by the Board. Your employer may verify your renewed license online using the DCA License Search system or by calling the Board at (916) 322-3350. You may also request a confirmation letter for a fee of $20.00 that verifies your license status.
• Does the Board issue receipts for renewal payments?
  When you renew your license through BreEZe Online Services, you will receive a receipt upon payment submission. You can also verify online within minutes that your license has been renewed.
• Can you fax my employer proof that I've renewed my license?
  The Board will not fax proof of renewal to employers or to any other agency. However, employers may verify an RN's renewal online using the BreEZe License Verification system or by calling the BRN at (916) 322-3350.
• What is the earliest date that I can renew my license?
  An RN's license cannot be renewed earlier than three (3) months prior to the expiration date.
• What if I am unable to complete the 30 contact hours needed for renewal? Can I get an extension?

  No, the Board does not issue an extension. However, until the continuing education is completed, a license may be renewed to inactive status by payment of the renewal fee, and by checking the "Inactive" box on the renewal form. An RN cannot practice nursing in California with an inactive license.

  To reactivate an inactive license, please refer to Inactive to Active License Status for instructions.

• Am I able to overnight my renewal to the Board?
  The only way to renew your license is online through BreEZe Online Services.
• If I submit my renewal by the expiration date, am I able to continue working until the renewal has been updated in your computer system?
  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. NOTE: Employers may have more stringent requirements.
• I am moving to another state. Should I renew my California RN license?
  Many RNs who leave the state continue to maintain licensure in California. It is not necessary to reside or work in California to maintain an active RN license.
• I am not currently working as an RN. Can I still hold an active license?
  Yes. California does not require you to work as an RN or reside within the state to maintain an active license.
• I submitted my renewal and my payment has been processed. Why isn't my license updated online?
  Your license should be updated within 72 hours. If it is not updated, please review your BreEZe account for any deficiencies or contact the Board immediately.

Renewing a Delinquent License

• What is the difference between a delinquent license and an inactive license?
  A delinquent license is one in which the renewal fees have not been paid. An inactive license is one in which the renewal fees have been paid, but the continuing education requirement has not been met. Practice as a registered nurse in California is not permitted with either a delinquent or inactive license.
• What can I do to become a nurse again after my license has lapsed?
  If it has been less than eight years since the license has expired, a licensee can renew his or her license by paying the delinquent renewal fee and providing proof of completing 30 hours of continuing education completed within the last two years of the date in which renewing. If it has been longer than eight years, the RN must also provide proof of a current active license in another state, U.S. territory, or Canada (see 8-Year Renewal). If the RN does not meet this criteria, then the RN must apply for an 8-Year Retake.
• If I let my license lapse, will it negatively impact my record?
  No. A lapsed license will not negatively impact an RN's record providing he or she is not practicing.
• What is the earliest date that will be accepted for continuing education credit for a delinquent renewal?
  If the renewal is delinquent, contact hours must have been completed no more than two years prior to the date of submission.

Inactive Status

• What if I am unable to complete the 30 contact hours needed for renewal? Can I get an extension?

  No, the Board does not issue an extension. However, until the continuing education is completed, a license may be renewed to inactive status by payment of the renewal fee, and by checking the "Inactive" box on the renewal form. An RN cannot practice nursing in California with an inactive license.

  To reactivate an inactive license, please refer to Inactive to Active License Status for instructions.

• What is the difference between a delinquent license and an inactive license?
  A delinquent license is one in which the renewal fees have not been paid. An inactive license is one in which the renewal fees have been paid, but the continuing education requirement has not been met. Practice as a registered nurse in California is not permitted with either a delinquent or inactive license.
• If I renew to inactive status, when does the license expire?
  An inactive license has the same renewal cycle (two years) as an active license. A licensee cannot practice as a registered nurse in the state of California on an inactive license. The inactive status maintains the license as current for the renewal period. If the RN chooses to return to active status during the renewal period, proof of completion of 30 contact hours must be submitted. There will be no additional fee at that time.
• I am renewing my license, but I am not working as an RN at the present time. Should I renew to inactive status?
  If the continuing education requirement has been met, a licensee may renew in an active status regardless of employment status. An inactive license means that the fees have been paid, but the required continuing education has not been met. Practice as a registered nurse in California is not permitted with an inactive license.
• How do I change my license status from inactive to active?
  Please refer to Inactive to Active License Status for detailed instructions.

Retired Status

• What is a retired license?
  Passage of Assembly Bill (AB) 633 (Patterson, Chapter 449, Statutes of 2023) established a new license status for nurses who are retiring from the workforce and no longer want to maintain an active nursing license, but still want to maintain their RN identifier.
• How do I apply for retired status?
  A licensee may apply to move their license to retired status by completing the BreEZe application titled Registered Nurse Current to Retired License Application.
• Do I need to renew my license once it’s in retired status?
  No, once a license is in retired status it does not need to be renewed. The licensee will only need to complete a renewal if they move their license from retired status back to active status.
• What is the eligibility for a retired license?
  To receive a retired status, the licensee must meet both of the following qualifications:

  • Hold an unrestricted license on the date of application.
  • If not already on record, furnish to the Department of Justice, as directed by the Board, fingerprints for the purpose of conducting a criminal history record check and for the purpose of undergoing a state and federal level criminal offender record information search conducted through the Department of Justice.
• What does the term "unrestricted" mean?
  The term "unrestricted" means there is no pending disciplinary action against the license, and the license is not currently suspended, on probation, and/or subject to the terms and conditions of a public reproval.
• What can I do with a retired license?

  A nurse who has been granted a retired license may provide nursing services to the public free of charge in any public health program created by federal, state, or local law or administered by a federal, state, county, or local governmental entity, if a licensed registered nurse or nurses provide adequate medical and nursing supervision.

  The nursing services are limited to services that the retired licensee was permitted to perform under their active license and that the retired licensee is competent to perform, as determined by the supervising licensed registered nurse.

• Who must submit fingerprints with their application?
  If an applicant’s fingerprints are not already on record, or the Board determines that the quality of the fingerprints on record is not sufficient then the licensee will be notified by the Board and must furnish an updated set along with their retired license application.
• Is there a fee to apply for a retired license?
  The Board is not currently charging an application fee for the retired license. However, based on workload and resource needs, the Board may deem it necessary in future to establish an application fee through the rulemaking process, as allowed by Business and Professions Code Section 2811.1(h).
• Do I have to comply with CE requirements while retired?
  No, a retired license is exempt from continuing education requirements.
• What status does my license currently have to be in for me to apply for retired status?
  A license that is currently in an "active", "inactive", or "delinquent" status can apply to move to "retired" status.
• Can I apply to move from retired status back to active status?

  A licensee can only apply to be reinstated from retired status back to active status one time. Accordingly, a license can only apply to be moved from active status to retired status two times.

  However, a retired license cannot apply to be reinstated back to inactive status.

• Can I move from retired status back to inactive status?
  No, a license can only be moved from retired status back to active status.
• How do I move from retired status back to active status?
  A license can only be reinstated from retired status back to active status one time. To do so, the licensee must fulfill the requirements for renewal of a license, including furnishing fingerprints, paying renewal fees, and providing evidence of the following:

  • For a retired licensee who has been retired for eight years or less, 30 hours of continuing education taken within the previous two-year period.
  • For a retired licensee who has been retired for more than eight years, either a current valid active and clear registered nurse license in another state, a United States territory, or Canada, or passing the current examination for licensure.
• Can I still identify myself as a RN with a retired license?
  Yes, a retired licensee can utilize their professional title but only with the unabbreviated word "retired" directly preceding or directly following the professional title.
• Can I get disciplined on my retired license?
  Yes, the Board may investigate potential violations or take action against a retired license for a violation of the Nursing Practice Act. For disciplinary purposes, a retired license is deemed a lapsed license as the term is used in Business and Professions Code Section 2764.
• Will I receive a new RN wall certificate?
  A retired certificate will be sent upon approval and a duplicate can be requested online via the duplicate certificate process.
• Will the public know that my RN license is retired?

  A licensees retired status will be displayed along with their RN license status through DCA’s License Search. The DCA License Search is an online search tool that is available to the public and is used to verify a professional license issued by the various Boards and Bureaus under DCA.

  To view this search tool, please visit: DCA License Search.