Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Updates
- Board of Registered Nursing COVID-19 Update with FAQs
Dear Stakeholders –
While California continues to navigate the uncertainty of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and limit its spread, the Board of Registered Nursing is committed to supporting our licensees, applicants, and consumers throughout the course of this pandemic and to provide continuity of service at all times. The Board of Registered Nursing is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation, coordinating with the state and local governments, and working with our partners to protect the health of Californians.
The Board of Registered Nursing understands the ability to perform your jobs with a license is a priority. We appreciate your patience as we work on implementing new technologies to work remotely and adhere to social distancing guidelines. We apologize in advance for any delays in reaching our staff or potential delays in our processing times.
We have received a number of inquiries from our licensees. We are providing the below FAQ’s in an effort to provide information.
The best general guidance will continue to come from the California Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
- 1. Will Continuing Education Requirements Be Postponed?
For information regarding Department of Consumer Affairs regulation waivers due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, please visit the DCA Waivers page.
**Please Note: The DCA waiver relating to reactivated and restored licenses only applies to licenses in a “retired, inactive, or canceled” status. BRN licensees that do not renew on time are placed in a “Delinquent” status, which is not included within the waiver.
- 2. Are There Fee Waivers Available?
For information regarding Department of Consumer Affairs regulation waivers due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, please visit the DCA Waivers page.
**Please Note: The DCA waiver relating to reactivated and restored licenses only applies to licenses in a “retired, inactive, or canceled” status. BRN licensees that do not renew on time are placed in a “Delinquent” status, which is not included within the waiver.
- 3. Should My Business or Practice Remain Open?
The Board of Registered Nursing does not have authority to close businesses or practices solely as a result of COVID-19. We strongly encourage you to assess whether your business is an essential job function as outlined by the Governor and follow the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Check with your local county health department to determine what activities are also considered essential and non-essential.
- 4. My License is Retired. Can I Renew to Help Combat Coronavirus?
For information on how to join the California Health Corps to help battle the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit the California Health Corps website.
For information regarding Department of Consumer Affairs regulation waivers due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, please visit the DCA Waivers page.
The application to restore a license to full, active status from inactive, retired or cancelled status to help during the COVID-19 pandemic, can be found at covid-19.dca.ca.gov/backToActive.
**Please Note: The DCA waiver relating to reactivated and restored licenses only applies to licenses in a “retired, inactive, or canceled” status. BRN licensees that do not renew on time are placed in a “Delinquent” status, which is not included within the waiver.
- 5. My Exam Was Canceled. What Does that Mean?
The Board of Registered Nursing is working to ensure that applications are processed once all required documents from schools, agencies, and other states are received. Your Authorization to Test (ATT) will come from Pearson VUE (the organization that provides the test administration and services test development).
For more information on testing that is available, please visit the Pearson Vue NCLEX website.
- 6. I am licensed in a state outside of California. Does California allow licensing reciprocity during the State of Emergency?
If you are a licensed healthcare provider in a state other than California, please visit the Emergency Medical Services Authority for information to be able to practice in California. Please visit the “Authorization of Out-Of-State Medical Personnel” section on this website.
- 7. Have the Fingerprinting requirements changed?
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has communicated to DCA BRN that there has been no change to their fingerprinting process or requirements and therefore no change or waiver is being granted to the BRN’s fingerprint or background check licensing requirement. Here is a link to the Fingerprint Request Form on the BRN website and a link to all Live Scan locations within California. Please be advised, several LiveScan Operators are temporarily closed or have reduced their hours due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Please use the this link provided by the California Department of Justice, to determine the best Live Scan Operator for your needs. It is recommended that you call ahead of time to verify hours of operation and services being provided during the COVID-19 outbreak.
- 8.TOEFL Test
The Board of Registered Nursing will accept TOEFL Test scores that were either taken at an authorized test center, or due to public health concerns, students may take advantage of the temporarily offering of the TOEFL Special Home Edition test in selected areas. The test is identical in content, format and on-screen experience to the TOEFL test taken at an authorized test center. It is taken on your own computer at home and is monitored by a human proctor online. For more information, visit the TOEFL at home website.
- 9. My application has been found deficient in areas of education will these deficiencies be waived by the board?
At this time, the DCA waivers do not allow for applications that are deficient in education to be waived. You will need to complete the education requirements in order to continue with the application process.
- 10. My application was found ‘Not Eligible’ will this decision be waived?
At this time, the DCA waivers do not allow for applications that have been deemed ‘Not Eligible’ to be waived.
- 11. Can I waive the NCLEX exam until the pandemic is over?
The NCLEX exam requirement is not being waived, at this time. NCLEX exams are a requirement for licensure and are currently being conducted through Pearson Vue. For more information on testing that is available, please visit the Pearson Vue NCLEX website.
The Board of Registered Nursing reminds all licensees to be particularly mindful and respectful that this is a time of high anxiety for all Californians.
If you have any additional inquiries we recommend you use the emails listed below:
Applicant Services
Licensing requirements, application status, advanced practice certification
BRN.Licensing@dca.ca.govLicensee Services
License/certificate renewal, continuing education, license verification
Renewals.BRN@dca.ca.govFingerprint Inquiries
BRNFingerprints@dca.ca.govEnforcement Program
Complaint process, license discipline and convictions
Enforcement.BRN@dca.ca.govNursing Education Consultants
Scope of practice issues/questions
NEC.BRN@dca.ca.govOnline (BreEZe) Technical Support
BreEZe registration/logon issues, locked or retired account assistance
BreEZe@dca.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 557-1208 - 1. Will Continuing Education Requirements Be Postponed?
- Notice Regarding COVID-19 Vaccine Administration
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.
- The Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) is issuing waivers that allow providers who hold a license in another state to work in California during the declared COVID-19 emergency.
These waivers are being issued for the following reasons:
- Medical providers physically coming into California to assist at California medical facilities
- Medical providers who are not physically located in California but are contracted to provide telehealth to the clients of a California medical facility.
- Medical providers who are not physically located and licensed in California, whose clients have moved or are moving to California permanently may receive a temporary 30-day waiver to help transition their client. This waiver is meant solely to help transition the client to the California healthcare system. At this time, no extensions to the initial 30-day waiver are being offered. Providers who want to continue working with their clients longer than the 30-day temporary waiver period should request information regarding obtaining California licensure.
- Nursing Students May Supplement Healthcare Staff During Recent Spike in COVID-19 Cases
- Department of Consumer Affairs Waivers
- Application to restore license to full, active status from inactive, retired or cancelled status to help during the covid-19 pandemic
- Guidance Relating to Non-Discrimination in Medical Treatment for Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) - Departments of Health Care Services, Public Health, and Managed Health Care
- Board of Registered Nursing Urges Nursing Students to Help During the COVID-19 Pandemic - March 31, 2020 News Release
- Director of Department of Consumer Affairs Waives Licensing Requirements to Help During COVID-19 Pandemic March 31, 2020 News Release
- Executive Order N-39-20
- Department of Consumer Affairs Executive Order N-29-20 Questions and Answers
- COVID-19 EMS Resource Portal - Emergency Medical Services Authority
- Health Professionals, California needs you! - California Health Corps
- NCLEX test delivery is commencing at a subset of U.S. and Canada based Pearson VUE test centers on Wednesday, March 25, 2020.
- California Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response
- COVID-19 Updates - California Department of Public Health
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