All Nursing Exams

RN license renewal: how it works in each state

Each state board sets its own RN renewal: Texas US$68 every 2 years, California US$190, Florida US$75, New York US$73 every 3 years.

Checked November 15, 2026
A calendar page for September
Photo: Pexels

Short answer: You renew an RN license with the state board that issued it, on that board's schedule, and every board sets its own cycle, fee and continuing education (CE) rule. For example, Texas charges US$68 every two years with 20 contact hours, California US$190 every two years with 30 hours, Florida US$75 every two years with 24 hours, and New York US$73 every three years.

A bar chart of on-time RN renewal fees in four states: Texas US$68, New York US$73, Florida US$75 and California US$190, with each renewal cycle

Renewal rules vary by state

There is no national RN renewal. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) says on Nursys: "To renew your license or to apply for a new license, contact your board of nursing." Nursys can remind you of the date through e-Notify, but the renewal itself happens on your board's website.

The table shows four large boards as examples. Other boards differ. Always confirm on your own board's site before you renew.

State Cycle On-time fee Late fee Continuing education
Texas Every 2 years US$68 US$60 extra if under 90 days late, US$120 extra if over 90 days 20 contact hours, or national certification, or another method in Board Rule 216
California Every 2 years US$190 US$280 delinquent fee 30 contact hours
Florida Every 2 years US$75 (active to active) US$130 after expiry 24 hours, including set subjects
New York Every 3 years US$73 Not stated on the pages read Infection control coursework every 4 years

Some details for each state:

  • Texas: the renewal application opens on the first day of the month before your expiration month. CE is waived at your first renewal if you renew on time or within 90 days. From September 1, 2026, Texas nurses must enter their CE in the CE Module of the Texas Nurse Portal before they renew. Allow up to 20 business days for processing.
  • California: your first license runs for "two birthdays, not two years". New licensees are exempt from CE for the first two years, except the Implicit Bias requirement. To renew to active status you must have a full set of fingerprints on file with the Department of Justice.
  • Florida: licenses expire by group. Group 3 expires on April 30, 2027; Groups 1 and 2 on April 30 and July 31, 2028. You report CE to the Department of Health tracking system (CE Broker) before you renew. Domestic violence CE is due every third biennium, on top of the 24 hours.
  • New York: NYSED says you may not practice while your registration is expired. Your second registration is shortened so it lines up with your birth month, and the fee is prorated.

What happens if you renew late or let a license lapse

Each board uses its own words, but the pattern is the same: an expired license means you may not work on it.

  • Texas shows an expired license as "delinquent". The Board says this does not mean discipline. You reactivate it with the late fee and proof of CE.
  • California has two choices. "Inactive" means you paid but did not complete CE, and you may not practice. "Delinquent" means the license expired. After eight years lapsed, you must prove competency with an active license from another state, or retake the licensing exam.
  • Florida moves a license to delinquent after the expiration date and to "Null/Void" two years later. A null and void license "cannot be reactivated".

If you work in a compact state on a multistate license from another state, you renew only with your home state. Florida, for example, says nurses working there on another state's multistate license pay no Florida fees and do no Florida CE. See Compact nursing states: the 2026 list.

Checklist before you renew

  1. Find your expiration date on your board's portal or on Nursys QuickConfirm.
  2. Finish your CE hours and keep every certificate, in case your board asks for proof.
  3. Enter your CE where your board asks for it (Texas CE Module, Florida CE Broker).
  4. Update your address and name with the board first. Texas, for example, requires these changes in writing.
  5. Check whether fingerprints are needed. California asks for them for active renewal.
  6. Answer the criminal and discipline questions truthfully. New York asks them at every renewal.
  7. Pay the fee before the deadline, then look yourself up again to confirm the new date.

What to do next

  1. Sign up for free Nursys e-Notify reminders for all your licenses.
  2. Put your renewal month in your calendar, with a reminder two months before.
  3. After renewing, check your record: see Nursing license lookup.

Common questions

Can I keep working while my renewal is processing?

Only if your license is still active. Renew before the expiration date, because boards such as Texas allow up to 20 business days to process.

Do I renew on Nursys?

No. Nursys is a lookup and verification service. You renew on your board's own website or portal.

I hold licenses in two states. Do I renew both?

Yes, each single state license renews with its own board and on its own schedule. A multistate license renews only with your home state.

Sources