License requirements by state
What each board asks for at initial licensure and at renewal, step by step, for RN, APRN and prescribing credentials.
Informational guidance only. Confirm current requirements with the appropriate licensing authority before applying, renewing or practicing. Read the disclaimer
California: APRN, initial licensure
Prepare the state-specific education, certification, application and practice documents below. Separate prescribing approvals appear under Prescriptive Authority and State Rx / CS.
NP application checklist
Hold California RN licensure. Apply for NP certification through BreEZe and arrange direct program verification/transcripts and national-certification verification for the selected route. Request a furnishing number separately if you intend to furnish drugs; NP certification alone does not grant that authority.
- Timing
- Before initial state authorization
- Conditions
- Standard NP application. Additional documents apply to international education, reentry, discipline, name changes and other nonstandard routes.
NP practice and prescribing
Standard NPs use standardized procedures. Qualified 103 and 104 NPs may practice without them under their respective statutory conditions. Furnishing and controlled-substance authority must be established separately from the practice pathway.
- Timing
- During practice
- Conditions
- 103 authority is limited to specified group settings. 104 authority has additional experience requirements. An NP certificate alone does not establish either designation.
103: 3 Full-time years OR 4,600 hours
Complete the qualifying transition in California within the preceding five years and obtain 103 certification. The 104 pathway requires an additional three full-time years or 4,600 qualifying hours as a 103 NP; qualifying DNP direct-care credit may apply. Settings and other statutory conditions remain.
- Timing
- Before independent practice or prescribing, as specified
- Conditions
- Clinical practice hours are not continuing-education hours. Board approval may be required.
Coverage and conditions
- Use the checklist for the standard NP route. International education, reentry, military pathways, older educational exceptions and disciplinary history can require additional board documents. Submit the board’s current application; this site does not submit it for you.
Maintained by The Multistate NP from board sources and updated on review. Confirm against the board’s current application before you file. National certification and federal DEA requirements are separate.