California Licensed Practical Nurse license renewal and CE requirements
California licensed practical nurses must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license with the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians.
California licenses this role as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). Under BPC 2892 the license renews at two-year intervals on the last day of the month following the month in which the licensee's birthday occurs; the board's fee schedule lists month-end expiration dates and a $150 delinquent fee after expiration. A license unrenewed for four years cannot be renewed.
Summary
California licensed practical nurses must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license with the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians. California licenses this role as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). Under BPC 2892 the license renews at two-year intervals on the last day of the month following the month in which the licensee's birthday occurs; the board's fee schedule lists month-end expiration dates and a $150 delinquent fee after expiration. A license unrenewed for four years cannot be renewed. The first renewal is exempt.
California Licensed Practical Nurse renewal and continuing education rules
"Not stated" means the board's pages and rules we read do not address it. We do not fill in typical values.
| Renewal cycle | Two-year (24 months) |
|---|---|
| Renewal deadline | Tied to the licensee's birth month |
| Continuing education required | Yes |
| Hours per cycle | 30 contact hours |
| Self-study or online cap | No cap stated |
| Carryover to next cycle | Not stated |
| First renewal exempt | Yes |
BVNPT: to renew on active status you must complete thirty (30) hours of CE within the two years prior to the date of renewal, through a BVNPT-approved continuing education provider (16 CCR Chapter 1, Article 7). The board calls these hours of CE; contact_hours is used as the closest unit. If this is the first renewal following issuance of the license, the 30 hours are not required. Retain CE certificates for four years; if audited, copies must be submitted as proof.
Required CE topics for California licensed practical nurses
The California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians pages and rules we read do not mandate specific subject areas for this license type. Hours may be in any approved subject.
Documentation and audit
| Proof submitted at renewal | No, attestation only |
|---|---|
| Keep records for | 4 years |
| Board audits compliance | Yes |
| Approved providers | BVNPT-approved continuing education provider (courses approved by other states' nursing boards may be reviewed) |
Common questions
- How many CE hours does a California LPN/LVN need to renew?
- California licensed practical nurses must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license with the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians. BVNPT: to renew on active status you must complete thirty (30) hours of CE within the two years prior to the date of renewal, through a BVNPT-approved continuing education provider (16 CCR Chapter 1, Article 7). The board calls these hours of CE; contact_hours is used as the closest unit. If this is the first renewal following issuance of the license, the 30 hours are not required. Retain CE certificates for four years; if audited, copies must be submitted as proof.
- How often does a California LPN/LVN license need to be renewed?
- Licensed Practical Nurse licenses in California renew every two years. California licenses this role as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). Under BPC 2892 the license renews at two-year intervals on the last day of the month following the month in which the licensee's birthday occurs; the board's fee schedule lists month-end expiration dates and a $150 delinquent fee after expiration. A license unrenewed for four years cannot be renewed.
- Does California require specific CE topics for licensed practical nurses?
- The California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians does not list mandated subject areas for LPN/LVN renewal on the pages we verified; the 30 contact hours may be in any approved subject.
- Do California licensed practical nurses have to submit CE certificates at renewal?
- Licensees attest to completion at renewal rather than submitting certificates, the board audits a sample of renewals and asks for documentation, and records must be kept for 4 years. BVNPT-approved continuing education provider (courses approved by other states' nursing boards may be reviewed)
- Is the first California LPN/LVN renewal exempt from CE?
- Yes. California does not require continuing education for a LPN/LVN's first renewal.
Sources
Last verified September 7, 2026. Every value above was read from one of these.
- Renewal Application Form, Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric TechniciansState board page, accessed September 7, 2026
- Continuing Education and Continuing Education Providers, BVNPTState board page, accessed September 7, 2026
- Bus. and Prof. Code 2892 (vocational nurse license expiration and renewal)Statute or administrative rule, accessed September 7, 2026
- Renewal Fees Based on Expiration Date, Year 2026, BVNPTState board page, accessed September 7, 2026
Hours, first-renewal exemption, four-year retention, and audit confirmed on the BVNPT renewal application page and CE provider page; the two-year birth-month-based expiration confirmed in BPC 2892. The BVNPT pages do not state any mandated subject for LVNs; the AB 1407 implicit bias requirement is a Board of Registered Nursing requirement and is not recorded here. first_renewal_prorated is null because the pages read do not describe the initial term. No em dashes used.
Provided for general reference. Requirements change through legislative sessions and rulemaking, so confirm with the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians before relying on them for a renewal. Spot something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.