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Prelicensure Distance Education Institutional and Programmatic Information

Under 34 CFR § 668.43(a)(5)(v), educational institutions are required to provide students with information regarding the curriculum's alignment with licensure requirements.

BPC Section 2736: Requires that all applicants who want to be licensed in California as a registered nurse meet the preliminary education requirements below.

The applicant can either:

  • Complete a program in this state that has been approved by the board for training registered nurses, or
  • Complete courses of instruction in a school of nursing outside of this state that, in the opinion of the board, are equivalent to what is required for approved programs in California, and
  • Not be subject to denial of licensure under Section 480

Education requirements as determined by the board = 16 CCR 1426 and BPC 2786 (a)(2).

BRN Approved Curriculum Covering Not Fewer Than Two Academic Years
Specified Course Areas Semester Units Quarter Units  
Nursing 36 54 Theory and clinical must be delivered concurrently Geriatrics, medical-surgical, mental health/psychiatric nursing, obstetrics and pediatrics. Minimum of 500 direct patient care clinical hours with a minimum of 30 hours of supervised direct patient care clinical hours dedicated to each nursing area specified by the board.
Theory (18) (27)
Clinical (18) (27)
Communication Units 6 9 Shall include principles of oral, written, and group communication.
Science Units 16 24 Related natural sciences (anatomy, physiology, and microbiology with labs), behavioral and social sciences (ex. psychology and sociology).
TOTAL UNITS FOR LICENSURE 58 87 No degree is required for licensure.

Section 480: The board may deny a license if the applicant has been convicted of a crime that is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of the nurse (preceding seven years - this excludes serious felonies) or has been subject to formal discipline (preceding seven years - in or outside of CA).