Nurse Practitioner CE requirements in California
Requirements at a glance
State-mandated CE topics
- Implicit bias: 1 hr — Direct-participation CE (AB 1407, B&P §2811.5); applies even to first-time renewers.
- Geriatrics: 6 hrs — If >25% patients age 65+, 6 of 30 hrs in gerontology/dementia.
Sources
Every figure on this page is compiled from the primary board and national certification sources below, cross-checked against reputable aggregators. Requirements change often and some boards publish only in PDFs or login-walled portals — confirm current rules directly before relying on them for renewal.
Verify with California Board of Registered Nursing →How this fits the national picture
Independent of California, every NP maintains national certification through AANP (100 CE hours over 5 years including 25 pharmacology, plus 1,000 practice hours) or ANCC (75 CE hours over 5 years including 25 pharmacotherapeutics). State CE sits on top of that.
- Physician Assistant CME requirements in California →
- All 50 states + DC, side by side →
- Nurse Practitioner CE requirements in Texas →
- Nurse Practitioner CE requirements in Florida →
- Nurse Practitioner CE requirements in New York →
- Nurse Practitioner CE requirements in Illinois →
- Nurse Practitioner CE requirements in Pennsylvania →
Frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do nurse practitioners need in California?
California requires 30 CE hours for nurse practitioners per renewal cycle.
Does California accept AANP or ANCC certification in lieu of state CE?
No — NPs renew the RN license with 30 hrs regardless of national certification.
What topic-specific CE does California require for nurse practitioners?
Implicit bias: 1 hr — Direct-participation CE (AB 1407, B&P §2811.5); applies even to first-time renewers. Geriatrics: 6 hrs — If >25% patients age 65+, 6 of 30 hrs in gerontology/dementia.
How many pharmacology hours do nurse practitioners need in California?
≥3 contact hours on Schedule II controlled substances for Furnishing-number holders (B&P §2811.1).
Informational only, not legal or compliance advice. Continuing education rules change frequently. Confirm current requirements with the California Board of Registered Nursing and your certifying body before relying on any figure here.