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HomeBusiness and Professions CodeDiv. 2Ch. 6Art. 6§ 2811 License Renewal Requirements

§ 2811 License Renewal Requirements

Business and Professions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 2811 License Renewal Requirements

Key Takeaways

  • •You must renew your nursing license every 2 years, on or before the last day of the month after your birthday.
  • •If you don't renew on time, your license expires but can be reinstated within 8 years by paying a fee and showing you still qualify.
  • •After 8 years of not renewing, you might have to take an exam to get your license back.
  • •If your license is inactive, you can make it active again by meeting education requirements.

Example

A nurse named Sarah got her license on March 15, 2022. Her birthday is in June.

Sarah must renew her license by July 31, 2024 (the last day of the month after her June birthday, two years after getting her license). If she forgets and doesn’t renew until 2028, she’ll have to pay a fee but won’t need to take a test. If she waits until 2031, she might have to take an exam to get her license back.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 2811 License Renewal Requirements

(a) Each person holding a regular renewable license under this chapter, whether in an active or inactive status, shall apply for a renewal of their license and pay the biennial renewal fee required by this chapter every two years on or before the last day of the month following the month in which their birthday occurs, beginning with the second birthday following the date on which the license was issued, whereupon the board shall renew the license. (b) A license not renewed in accordance with this section shall expire but may within a period of eight years thereafter be reinstated upon payment of the fee required by this chapter and upon submission of proof of the applicant’s qualifications as may be required by the board. During the eight-year period, no examination shall be required as a condition for the reinstatement of an expired license that has lapsed solely by reason of nonpayment of the renewal fee. After the expiration of the eight-year period, the board may require as a condition of reinstatement that the applicant pass an examination as the board deems necessary to determine their present fitness to resume the practice of professional nursing. (c) A license in an inactive status may be restored to an active status if the licensee meets the continuing education standards of Section 2811.5. (Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 510, Sec. 43. (SB 887) Effective January 1, 2024.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

educationnursinglicenseexaminationconditionreinstatementaccordancenonpayment

Related Statutes

  • § 2833 Certificate Renewal Requirements
  • § 2746.8 Certificate Renewal Requirements
  • § 2815 Nursing License Examination Fees
  • § 1301 License Renewal Fees
  • § 2815.1 Nurse Education Renewal Fee

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Business and Professions Code. Section 2811.
View Official Source