UPDATE: On January 7, 2021, the California Department of Public Health released new guidance on vaccine prioritization. The guidance recognized the need to balance the prioritization of scarce vaccine resources with the goal of achieving community immunity for all Californians. Additionally, the guidance noted situations in which the health departments and providers may offer doses promptly to people in lower priority groups, including provider flexibility to eliminate vaccine spoilage.
The Board of Registered Nursing previously provided licensees with information on their role in maintaining COVID-19 phase structure as they administer the COVID-19 vaccine. The Board is incorporating this new guidance and any future guidance issued into its review and evaluation of complaints that could result in disciplinary actions against licensees involved in COVID-19 administration.
With respect to vaccine prioritization, the Board of Registered Nursing will prioritize the investigation of complaints against licensees who engage in the diversion of COVID-19 vaccine or vaccine administration supplies provided by the federal government that is undertaken for financial gain in violation of applicable federal and state guidance.
As the COVID-19 vaccines are distributed, the Board of Registered Nursing is supporting the State’s effort to ensure that all providers follow the standards for allocating and administering COVID-19 vaccines. In particular, Board of Registered Nursing licensees must adhere to the current federal and state prioritization standards for allocating and administering COVID-19 vaccines in phases. The standards are available on the California Department of Public Health’s website.
For more information, please see our Vaccine Distribution Guidance document.
Starting January 1, 2021, individuals in the following categories who apply for licensure by the Board of Registered Nursing may seek an expedited licensure process.
- Refugees pursuant to section 1157 of title 8 of the United States Code;
- Those granted asylum by the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General of the United States pursuant to section 1158 of title 8 of the United States Code; or,
- Individuals with a special immigrant visa that have been granted a status pursuant to section 1244 of Public Law 110-181, Public Law 109-163, or section 602(b) of title VI of division F of Public Law 111-8.
In order to receive the expedited licensure process, individuals must provide documentation of their refugee, asylee, or special immigrant visa status when submitting their application package. Please note that this does not mean a license must be issued, but simply that the process will be expedited.
Starting January 1, 2021, new laws will impact licensees who prescribe and/or furnish controlled substances.
1. Updated Prescription Pad Security Requirements - starting January 1, 2021, California state law requires 15 security elements to appear on California Security Prescription Forms, the forms which replaced the triplicate prescription form. State law also requires California Security Prescription Forms to be produced by printers licensed by the California Department of Justice: California Security Prescription Printers Program. For more information, visit: Are Your Prescription Forms Compliant?
2. Revised Reporting Requirements for Controlled Substances – starting January 1, 2021, the dispensing of a controlled substance must be reported to the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) within one working day after the medication is released to the patient or the patient's representative. Previously, the deadline to report was seven days after dispensing. Further, this law requires reporting of Schedule V drugs, in addition to Schedules II, III, and IV. This requirement applies to pharmacists and prescribers who dispense controlled substances. For more information, please refer to the AB 528 Joint Statement.
Welcome to the Board of Registered Nursing
The Board of Registered Nursing protects and advocates for the health and safety of the public by ensuring the highest quality registered nurses in the state of California.
- Nursing Programs
- NCLEX Pass Rates
- Accreditation and Retention/Attrition Rates
- BRN School Survey Interactive Dashboard
- Annual Reports
- RN to BSN/MSN Education
- Specialized Public Health Nursing Program
- Review & Refresher Courses
- Course Listing for Schedule II Controlled Substances
- Financial Aid Information
- Residency & Transition to Practice Programs
- Excelsior College
- Instructions for Institutions Seeking Approval of New Prelicensure RN Program
- 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 4 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
- Nursing Students May Supplement Healthcare Staff During Recent Spike in COVID-19 Cases
- The Board of Registered Nursing Appoints a New Executive Officer
- State Leadership Accountability Act (SLAA) Report
- NCLEX test delivery is commencing at a subset of U.S. and Canada based Pearson VUE test centers on Wednesday, March 25, 2020.
- New Tool Empowers Local Leaders to Take Action Against Rural Drug Addiction
- Progress Report on the Implementation of the Comprehensive Continuing Education Plan for Approving and Disapproving Continuing Education Opportunities
- Apply for Health Professions Education Foundation 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