Renewal Application Form
License Renewals
Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) and Psychiatric Technicians (PTs) are required to renew their license every two years. Satisfactory completion of continuing education (CE) is required for an "active" license in addition to a social security number. Licensees must also certify under penalty of perjury, whether they have been convicted of a crime since they last renewed.
Online Renewals
Renewals can be submitted online at DCA BreEZe Online Services
Conviction and Discipline Requirement
As a condition of renewal, a licensee shall disclose whether, since their last renewal, he or she has had their license disciplined by a government agency or have been convicted or pleaded guilty to any crime. A conviction must be reported regardless if it was an infraction, misdemeanor, or felony, except that you need not report a conviction for a traffic infraction if the fine was less than $1000 and the violation did not involve alcohol or controlled substances. You must disclose any convictions in which you entered a plea of no contest (nolo contendre) and any convictions that were subsequently set aside or dismissed pursuant to Sections 1000 or 1203.4 of the Penal Code.
Continuing Education Information
- Active Licensure: If you desire an "active" license, you must complete thirty (30) hours of CE. The course(s) must have been completed within two (2) years prior to the date of renewal of your license.
- Inactive Licensure: If you desire an "inactive" license, you do not have to complete thirty (30) hours of CE. However, you must still submit your renewal fee and you should be aware that an inactive license does not permit you to work as a Licensed Vocational Nurse.
- First Renewal: If this is your first renewal following the issuance of your license, you are not required to complete thirty (30) hours of CE.
Do not send your original CE certificates to the Board. Retain the CE certificates for four (4) years as required by the California Code of Regulations. If you are audited by the Board, you will be required to submit copies of your CE certificates at that time as proof of completion of the thirty (30) hours.
Licensing Fingerprinting Requirement
For those licenses expiring on or after April 1, 2009, the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) will require LVNs and PTs, that were licensed prior to January 1, 1998 or for whom a record of the submission of fingerprints no longer exists, to submit a complete set of fingerprints to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a condition of license renewal. For more information, see the License Renewal Fingerprint Requirements page.
Delinquent Renewals
A delinquency fee is assessed if the renewal fee is not paid within thirty (30) days after the expiration date. A licensee may renew a delinquent license any time within four (4) years of the expiration date by submitting payment of all accrued and unpaid renewal fees in addition to any fees due upon renewal of a delinquent license along with proof of continuing education, a social security number, and conviction statement.
To determine the fee to renew your delinquent license, see the Accrued Renewal Fee Chart.
VN Education Fund: Effective July 1, 2004, Business and Professions Code Section 2895.5 establishes the Vocational Nurse Education Program within the Health Professions Education Foundation. The new law requires the Board to collect a $5.00 fee from vocational nurses at the time of license renewal to fund a scholarship and educational loan program for vocational nurse education. More information is available at Health Professions Education Foundation.
