How to get your California APRN license

Practice authorityWhat "Reduced Practice" means in California

California requires NPs to practice under standardized procedures — formal protocols co-developed with a physician collaborator. This is the traditional 103 NP model. Under AB 890 (passed 2020, implementation began 2023), NPs can advance to 104 NP status — autonomous practice without standardized procedures — after completing a Transition to Practice (TTP) of 4,600 hours or 3 FTE years of direct patient care in California, within 5 years post-BRN NP certification.

Step by stepThe California APRN licensure process

1. 1
   Hold an active California RN licenseCA NP certification requires an active CA RN license. If you don't have one, apply via the BRN BreEZe portal first ($350 endorsement / $300 exam).
2. 2
   Complete a BRN-approved NP programMinimum 500 supervised clinical hours per CCR §1484(h)(5), built into BRN-approved curricula. Out-of-state programs: documentation must verify 500+ clinical hours.
3. 3
   Earn national NP certificationCA accepts AANP or ANCC certification for FNP, AGPCNP, AGACNP, PMHNP, NNP, PNP-PC, PNP-AC. Pass the certification exam through your chosen body.
4. 4
   Submit NP Certification application via BreEZe$500 fee. Upload national certification verification, transcripts (program-direct), and BRN's "Request for Transcript" form. Allow 1-2 weeks for transcripts.
5. 5
   Complete Furnishing pharmacology courseIf you intend to prescribe: complete a BRN-approved 6 academic semester units (or 90 contact hours) of advanced pharmacology. Most NP programs include this — verify with your school.
6. 6
   Apply for Furnishing Number$400 separate application. Required for ALL prescribing — including non-controlled substances. Without it, you cannot write prescriptions in CA.
7. 7
   Register with CURES (CA PDMP)Mandatory enrollment in the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System before prescribing any Schedule II–V controlled substances.
8. 8
   Apply for federal DEA registrationRequired to prescribe controlled substances. $888 fee, 3-year term. Apply at deadiversion.usdoj.gov AFTER your Furnishing Number is issued.
9. 9
   Begin practice as a 103 NPUnder standardized procedures with a physician collaborator. Track your hours toward the 4,600-hour TTP threshold for 104 status.
10. 10
    (Optional) Apply for 104 NP statusAfter completing 4,600 hours or 3 FTE years of direct patient care within 5 years post-NP-certification, apply for 104 status for autonomous practice without standardized procedures.

Watch outWhat slows NPs down in California

• Furnishing Number is a separate process. NPs frequently assume their NP certification authorizes prescribing — it doesn't. The Furnishing Number is a separate $400 application. Submit it concurrently with your NP cert to avoid waiting twice.
• Transcripts must come direct from school. BRN does NOT accept transcripts forwarded by applicants. Use Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, or paper-direct from your school's registrar.
• National certification verification can lag. AANP and ANCC have their own processing windows. Submit your BRN application AFTER you have your certification number — but begin the BRN paperwork in parallel.
• Out-of-state NP programs face additional scrutiny. CA BRN evaluates whether your program meets CA's educational requirements, including the 500-hour clinical minimum. Programs with thin clinical hours may face delays.
• Live Scan fingerprints expire. Live Scan results are valid 90 days for application purposes. Don't fingerprint until BRN emails the Live Scan form (per FBI policy + CA BRN procedure).
• AB 890 TTP doesn't apply to out-of-state NPs. Hours practiced outside California don't count toward the 4,600-hour TTP threshold. If you plan to pursue 104 status, those hours must be earned in California post-CA NP certification.