CE Requirements for
California Board of Registered Nursing
Required once, within the first two years after initial licensure. New licensees are otherwise exempt from continuing education during their first renewal period (effective January 1, 2023).
Nurse practitioners whose patient population is over 25 percent aged 65 or older. At least six renewal hours must be in gerontology, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients, counted within the continuing education requirement (effective January 1, 2025).
Nurse practitioners authorized to furnish Schedule II controlled substances. A board-standard course on Schedule II controlled substances and the risks of addiction, completed as part of the continuing education requirements (Business and Professions Code section 2836.1).
New licensees must complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course within their first two years after initial licensure (effective January 1, 2023). First-time licensees are exempt from continuing education for their first renewal period, except for the implicit bias course. Nurse practitioners whose patient population is over 25 percent aged 65 or older must complete part of their continuing education in gerontology, dementia care, or care of older patients (effective January 1, 2025). Nurse practitioners authorized to furnish Schedule II controlled substances must complete, as part of their continuing education, a board-standard course on Schedule II controlled substances and the risks of addiction (Business and Professions Code section 2836.1). Retain continuing education certificates or grade slips for four years for board audit (California Code of Regulations Title 16 section 1451).
CE courses from providers approved by these accreditors count toward your California Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) renewal requirements.
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California Board of Registered Nursing
Always confirm requirements directly with your licensing board.
Data last verified: May 18, 2026