- 103 Nurse Practitioner Application – System Update
As part of the 103 NP application process, completion of the transition to practice requirement must be attested to by a physician and surgeon that practices in the same specialty area or category in which the NP is seeking certification as a 103 NP. The 103 NP applicant is asked to enter information about the attestor and an email is then sent to the physician and surgeon requesting their attestation of the information that was entered.
It has been brought to the Board’s attention that the 103 NP application does not currently allow an Osteopathic physician and surgeon to provide that attestation. The Board is working to fix this system glitch and is anticipating it will be remedied by the first part of March. We will send out a notice to all NP licensees once the system update is complete. If your attesting provider is an Osteopathic physician and surgeon, we kindly ask that you hold off submitting your application until you receive that notification.
For NPs who have already submitted their application and designated an Osteopathic physician and surgeon to attest to your hours, please be aware that your application will not be able to move forward with the information that you currently have inputted as it does not correctly identify the Osteopathic physician and surgeon 20A license type and misidentifies them as a Medical physician and surgeon. We ask that you submit the “Add Additional Nurse Practitioner Providers” application with the appropriate information in March once the system fix has been implemented.
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we continually work to improve this new process.
- New CE Requirement for 2023 – Implicit Bias Course
- 805 Reporting - Health Facility Reporting Requirement for Nurse Practitioners
- Reminder to Lower Barriers to Prescribing COVID-19 Therapeutics to Mitigate Impact of COVID-19
- Updated CURES Access and Use Regulations
Updated regulations pertaining to the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) became effective on August 15, 2022. The regulations revise and add to the CURES access and use regulations that took effect on July 1, 2020. The approved regulations and a bulletin summarizing the important and substantive changes can be found on the Office of the Attorney General’s CURES website.
- EMSA Authorization of Out-Of-State Medical Personnel Ends February 28, 2023
- CURES Optimization, New Requirements for Delegates, and First Login On/After April 11, 2022
The California Department of Justice (DOJ) will release the optimized Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) on April 11, 2022. Please refer to the DOJ guidance document "New Optimized Cures Being Released On 4/11/2022" for important information on new features of the optimized CURES, supported web browsers, and planned system downtime from Friday, April 8, 2022 at 5:00 PM, through Monday, April 11, 2022 at 8:00 AM.
In addition, CURES optimization will provide expanded Delegate functionality, through which Delegates will be authorized to directly access data in CURES. Practitioners currently utilizing a Delegate must enter into a new Delegate Agreement in order for their Delegate to have continued access to CURES beginning April 11, 2022. New Delegates may also be added via Delegate Agreement. For information about the Delegate access, please refer to the Quick Reference Guide which includes Delegate Agreement samples, and the DOJ guidance document "New Features and Requirements for Expanded Delegate Access."
As part of the transition to optimized CURES, beginning on April 11, 2022 please refer to the DOJ guidance document "First Time Login to the New Optimized CURES."
If you have any questions about optimized CURES, Delegate Access, or browser accessibility, contact the CURES Program at cures@doj.ca.gov or (916) 210-3187.
- Update to Verification of California Licensure Process
On March 10, 2022, license verification requests previously completed by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) will be completed by Nursys®. Nursys® provides online verification for endorsement to a nurse requesting to practice in another state and anyone who wants to verify a nurse license.
As the BRN is transitioning to Nursys® there will be a short period of time that a verification request can be made through your BreEZe account; however, it is encouraged that this option is not used. It is anticipated that this option will be removed from BreEZe in April 2022.
To request an out of state verification, please visit the Nursys® website: https://www.nursys.com/
- New Prescribing Laws Take Effect January 1, 2022
Licensees of the Board of Registered Nursing with prescribing authority are subject to the e-prescribing requirements established by Assembly Bill (AB) 2789 (Wood, 2018). Beginning January 1, 2022, most prescriptions (including but not limited to prescriptions for controlled substances) issued by a licensed healthcare practitioner to a California pharmacy must be submitted electronically. For more information on this law and its requirements, please see the AB 2789 bulletin. Practitioners also can get answers to questions about complying with the law at Electronic Data Transmission Prescriptions (E-Prescriptions) – Frequently Asked Questions provided by the California State Board of Pharmacy.
- Fraud Alert - Fake DCA Representative Scam Aimed at Licensees
The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) has learned of an attempted scam aimed at licensees of DCA’s boards and bureaus. In the scheme, an individual falsely identifying themselves as an employee of the Acupuncture Board has contacted licensees and attempted to gather personal information.
If you receive a call from an individual claiming to be an employee of the Acupuncture Board (or any other DCA board or bureau) and they attempt to gather personal information, please consider the following:
· If you receive a call, simply take down the caller’s information (including name, title, phone number and email address), let them know you will follow-up directly with the department/board/bureau, and end the call.
· You may also consider ending the call without explanation if it appears suspicious or to be a scam.
· Contact the board or bureau responsible for issuing your license. Contact information for all DCA boards and bureaus can be found via this webpage: https://www.dca.ca.gov/about_us/entities.shtml
· If you don’t know who to contact at DCA, call the Consumer Information Center at (800) 952-5210 for assistance and to get directed to the appropriate entity.
· NEVER disclose any personal information, i.e. social security numbers, date of births, or credit/debit card numbers, without first taking steps to verify that the person requesting the information has a legitimate need for it. - New CURES Fees Effective April 1, 2021
Effective April 1, 2021, the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) fee will increase from $6 to $11 annually for a period of two years. The increase will be applied to licenses expiring after July 1, 2021, and is assessed at the time of license renewal on specified licensees of the Board of Registered Nursing that prescribe, order, administer, furnish, or dispense Schedule II, Schedule III, Schedule IV, or Schedule V controlled substances.
Most licensees will see a $22 CURES Fee due to the biennial renewal cycle. The fee covers the reasonable regulatory costs of the Department of Justice for operating and maintaining CURES, a critical element in the state’s effort to address the growing danger of opioid addiction stemming from prescription drug abuse.
For more information about CURES, visit: https://oag.ca.gov/cures.
- Fake BRN Representative/DEA Agents Extortion Scam
The California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN or Board) has learned that scam artists posing as U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents or Board investigators are calling California registered nurses as part of an extortion scheme. The scammers identify themselves as DEA agents or Board investigators, calling about ongoing investigations regarding their license issued by the BRN. The scammers tell victims their license may be suspended for illegal drug trafficking. The scammers may provide a “Notice of Suspension” letter with BRN’s letterhead and/or logo which includes statements that licensees must follow instructions given by the Board investigator. The scammers are also asking for licensee bank account information. The scammers’ phone number may show up as the BRN’s office number (916) 322-3350.
No DEA agent, BRN investigator or staff member, will ever contact RNs by telephone to demand money or any other form of payment. If you receive a call such as the one described, refuse the demand for payment. Do not disclose any personal information, i.e., social security number, dates of birth, credit or debit card numbers.
Please also consider the following:
- If the caller is stating they are from the DEA, immediately report the threat using the DEA’s Extortion Scam Online Reporting form.
- If the individual identifies themselves as a Board employee, please contact the Board at (916) 322-3350 and press 3 to be directed to the Board’s Enforcement unit or send an email to Enforcement.BRN@dca.ca.gov.
- If the phone number of the caller appears to be the Board’s number, it is recommended that you submit an online complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) using the FCC's Consumer Complaint form or contact the Board so it can provide this information to the FCC.
- DEA Warns Public of Extortion Scam by DEA Special Agent Impersonators
Welcome to the Board of Registered Nursing
The Board of Registered Nursing protects the health, safety, and well-being of the public through the fair and consistent application of the statutes and regulations governing nursing practice and education in California.
- Nursing Programs
- NCLEX Pass Rates
- Accreditation and Retention/Attrition Rates
- BRN School Survey Interactive Dashboard
- Annual Reports
- RN to BSN/MSN Education
- Review & Refresher Courses
- Financial Aid Information
- Residency & Transition to Practice Programs
- Institutions Seeking Approval
- Excelsior College
- OPES Occupational Analysis for Nurse Practitioners (AB 890)
- Forecasts of the Registered Nurse Workforce in California 2022
- 2021 State Leadership Accountability Act (SLAA) Report
- Occupational Analysis Participation Opportunity
PROJECT:
As part of the implementation of AB 890, the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) has entered into an agreement with the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Office of Professional Examination Services (OPES) to conduct an Occupational Analysis (OA) of the Nurse Practitioner (NP) profession. The purpose of this project is to identify the tasks, knowledge, and skills that are a necessary part of the practice so they may be used to evaluate the BRN accepted NP certification examinations. The assistance of licensed NPs is needed to provide information on current practice.Subject Matter Expert (SME) input is critical to each phase of the OA in that they provide the information to define the tasks performed in the practice. SMEs also define the knowledge that is necessary to perform tasks safely, in compliance with standards of care.
The BRN is currently recruiting licensees to serve as SMEs to participate in the OA process. As a licensed NP, the BRN requests your assistance in this process. New licensees (5 years or less) are encouraged to apply as well, as your input is needed to maintain standards at entry level.
For Frequently Asked Questions about the OA please select the following link: OA - FAQ
SME PARTICIPATION:The OA interviews and workshops will be conducted by teleconference in July and August 2021. SMEs are needed for the following processes:
Process Topic Target Date Interviews Defining Occupational Tasks and Knowledge July 2021 Workshop 1 Review occupational tasks and knowledge statements for:
• Pediatric Primary Care
• Adult/Gerontology Primary CareAugust 17, 2021
8:30 am – 5:00 pmWorkshop 2 Review occupational tasks and knowledge statements for:
• Pediatric Acute Care
• Adult/Gerontology Acute CareAugust 18, 2021
8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Workshop 3 Review occupational tasks and knowledge statements for:
• Psychiatric
• FamilySeptember 28, 2021
8:30 am – 5:00 pmWorkshop 4 Review occupational tasks and knowledge statements for:
• Neonatal
• Women’s HealthSeptember 29, 2021
8:30 am – 5:00 pmTo qualify to serve as an SME a licensee MUST:
1. Be a California resident;
2. Possess a valid and current active California Registered Nurse (RN) license and NP certification;
3. Have experience as an NP;
4. Have clinical practice experience and current skills in the area of expertise for which you will be providing input and rendering a professional opinion;
5. Have all renewal fees paid and continuing education requirements met;
6. No prior or current disciplinary actions or convictions in this state or any other agency or government, and;
7. Be able to write complete and concise reports.If you meet the qualifications and are interested in participation, you must complete a ‘Nurse Practitioner Subject Matter Expert Application’ and submit with curriculum vitae/resume via email to BRN.NPAC@dca.ca.gov.
Please complete the application using the following link: Nurse Practitioner Subject Matter Expert Application
COMMITMENT:
If you are contacted to participate in an interview, you can expect the process to be approximately 1 to 1.5 hours and may be conducted via telephone or MS Teams.If you are contacted to participate in a workshop, each workshop is one day and will be conducted by teleconference from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.
- Warning of Possible Hospital Cyber Attack
The Board of Registered Nursing would like to notify you that the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Health and Human Services have credible information of an increased and imminent cybercrime threat to U.S. hospitals and healthcare providers. The Board is sharing this information to provide warning to healthcare providers to ensure that they take timely and reasonable precautions to protect their networks from these threats. Please see additional information at the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency website.
- Nursing Students May Supplement Healthcare Staff During Recent Spike in COVID-19 Cases
- The Board of Registered Nursing Appoints a New Executive Officer
- Progress Report on the Implementation of the Comprehensive Continuing Education Plan for Approving and Disapproving Continuing Education Opportunities
- Apply for Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) Loan Repayments, Scholarshipts, & Grants
- The BRN is proud to reveal a new way to view annual school data! Using this link, you can obtain new insights on pre-licensure nursing programs and other relevant trends.
- Important Fingerprint Changes: Applicants must first submit an application for licensure prior to submission of fingerprints.
The Board of Registered Nursing has made some necessary changes to be in compliance with DOJ and FBI fingerprint result information. All applicants must first submit an application for licensure to the Board prior to submission of fingerprints via Live Scan or hard card.
After submission of an application for licensure, a request for Live Scan form or fingerprint hard cards must be submitted to the Board via the Fingerprint Requests page.
Upon receipt of the request, the Board will validate the submission of an application for licensure and will then email a link to the Live Scan form or mail the fingerprint hard card (if outside of California). Please allow 7-10 business days to receive your hard cards by mail or 3 business days to receive your Live Scan form link.
Please visit our Fingerprint Information page to review all information regarding the submission of fingerprints.
- FAQs Regarding the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)
- Applicant Enforcement Webinar with Questions and Answers