CA
California Continuing Education Requirements
Details about continuing education and license renewal in California. Jump straight to your profession below.
It shouldn’t be a surprise that one of the most expensive states to live in is also where the highest paid Registered Nurses are throughout the country. On average, RN’s can make a little over six figures a year in California, which far surpasses other states, especially in the Southern hemisphere. So, what draws people to live in California? With all the deadly wildfires and recent earthquakes that you hear about on the news, what makes the state of California a popular destination for people to live there?
It boils down to a few main reasons: the climate is fair (minus the wildfires), the diverse population and the so called “California Dream”. While the cost of living is higher in California, the pay is better and people seem to be able to make the most out of their careers. In California, RN’s typically have a career path of either becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner, a Registered Nurse in a Critical Care Unit or a Registered Nurse Supervisor. For those just starting out in the field, popular jobs include Traveling RN positions. A traveling nurse position is a relatively new, trending job among the nursing profession. Usually a travel nurse is assigned a certain location for a short period of time, around 13-26 weeks, and then is assigned a new location after that contract has expired.
So when it’s all said and done, maybe you’ll find yourself in a traveling nurse position in California, earning the big bucks and enjoying the “California Dream”.
California Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
48
hours · Every two years
Last Updated: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
- CNAs shall earn forty-eight (48) contact hours of continuing education every two years for licensure renewal.
Special Requirements
- A minimum of twelve (12) of the forty-eight (48) contact hours shall be completed in each year of the two (2) year certification period.
- A maximum of twenty-four (24) of the forty-eight (48) contact hours may be obtained only through a CDPH-approved online computer training program listed on our website.
California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Licensing and Certification Program
Phone916-327-2445
Fax916-552-8785
WebsiteVisit Site
EmailContact the board
Address
Healthcare Workforce Branch
P.O. Box 997416, MS 3301
Sacramento 95899-7416
P.O. Box 997416, MS 3301
Sacramento 95899-7416
Requirements Disclaimer: Although we try to keep our information as up-to-date as possible, ultimately, it is the responsibility of each individual user to understand and keep up-to-date with the requirements of the license possessed.
California Home Health Aid (HHA)
24
hours · Every two years
Last Updated: Monday, June 9, 2025
Because the CDPH no longer permits HHAs to complete online coursework to satisfy their renewal requirements, they will not accept our certificates.
Special Requirements
In California Home Health Aides must obtain twenty-four (24) hours of Inservice-Training/Continuing Education Units (CEUs) within their certification period. Twelve (12) of the twenty-four (24) hours are required in each year of the two (2) year certification period. On-line CEUs cannot be used to meet this requirement.
California Department of Public Health Licensing and Certification Program
Phone916-327-2445
Fax916-552-8785
WebsiteVisit Site
EmailContact the board
Address
Healthcare Workforce Branch
PO Box 997377 MS 0500
Sacramento 95899-7377
PO Box 997377 MS 0500
Sacramento 95899-7377
Requirements Disclaimer: Although we try to keep our information as up-to-date as possible, ultimately, it is the responsibility of each individual user to understand and keep up-to-date with the requirements of the license possessed.
California Registered Nurse (RN)
30
hours · Every two years
Last Updated: Monday, June 9, 2025
RNs shall earn thirty (30) contact hours of continuing education every two years for licensure renewal.
Special Requirements
- Effective January 1, 2023, a licensee still within the first 2 years of holding their license, immediately following their initial licensure, must complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider that has been approved by the Board of Registered Nursing. This new requirement is codified in California Statute under Business and Profession Code 2811.5.
California Board of Registered Nursing
Phone916-322-3350
Fax916-574-7697
WebsiteVisit Site
EmailContact the board
Address
PO Box 944210
Sacramento 94244-2100
Sacramento 94244-2100
Requirements Disclaimer: Although we try to keep our information as up-to-date as possible, ultimately, it is the responsibility of each individual user to understand and keep up-to-date with the requirements of the license possessed.
California Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
30
hours · Every two years
Last Updated: Monday, June 9, 2025
APRNs shall earn thirty (30) contact hours of continuing education every two years for licensure renewal.
Special Requirements
- In accordance with AB 1407 (Burke, Chapter 445, Statutes of 2021), starting January 1, 2023 a licensee still within the first two (2) years of holding their license, immediately following their initial licensure, must complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider that has been approved by the Board of Registered Nursing.
- If you have a current Nurse Practitioner Furnishing certification in California and need Schedule II furnishing privileges: You must complete a three (3) hour online Schedule II course through the CA Association for Nurse Practitioners. You may register for the online course at this link:
- Nurse practitioners that provide primary care to a patient population of which over 25% are 65 years of age or older must complete at least 6 of the 30 continuing education hours required to renew their registered nurse license, in a course in the field of gerontology, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients.
California Board of Registered Nursing
Phone916-322-3350
WebsiteVisit Site
EmailContact the board
Address
P.O. Box 944210
Sacramento 94244-2100
Sacramento 94244-2100
Requirements Disclaimer: Although we try to keep our information as up-to-date as possible, ultimately, it is the responsibility of each individual user to understand and keep up-to-date with the requirements of the license possessed.
California Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN)
30
hours · Every two years
Last Updated: Thursday, June 18, 2026
LVNs shall earn thirty (30) contact hours of continuing education every two years for licensure renewal.
Special Requirements
- In accordance with AB 1407 (Burke, Chapter 445, Statutes of 2021), starting January 1, 2023 a licensee still within the first 2 years of holding their license, immediately following their initial licensure, must complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider that has been approved by the Board of Registered Nursing.
Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians
Phone916-263-7800
WebsiteVisit Site
EmailContact the board
Address
2535 Capitol Oaks Drive
Suite 205
Sacramento 95833
Suite 205
Sacramento 95833
Requirements Disclaimer: Although we try to keep our information as up-to-date as possible, ultimately, it is the responsibility of each individual user to understand and keep up-to-date with the requirements of the license possessed.
California Medical Assistant (MA)
Last Updated: Tuesday, November 14, 2023
CEs not required.
Medical assistants are not required to be licensed or certified by the State of California. However, the medical assistant's employer and/or supervising physician's or podiatrist's malpractice insurance carrier may require that the medical assistant be certified by a national or private association.
Medical Board of California
Phone800-633-2322
WebsiteVisit Site
EmailContact the board
Address
2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1200
Sacramento 95815
Sacramento 95815
Requirements Disclaimer: Although we try to keep our information as up-to-date as possible, ultimately, it is the responsibility of each individual user to understand and keep up-to-date with the requirements of the license possessed.
What do CA nurses earn?
Average pay by profession and region.