Fingerprint Requirement for License Renewal

Title 16, California Code of Regulations, Sections 1419, 1419.1, and 1419.3 require the submission of fingerprints upon license renewal if the licensee was not previously fingerprinted by the Board or if a record of fingerprint submission no longer exists.

Failure to submit a full set of fingerprints to the DOJ on or before the date required for renewal of a license is grounds for discipline by the Board.

If your last fingerprint submission was before 2014, please contact the Board’s Fingerprint Unit by submitting an inquiry on the Contact Us page to verify if a new submission is required. Please note: the Board does not require a new submission of fingerprints at each renewal. If you submitted your fingerprints in 2014 or later, a new submission of fingerprints will not be required unless you are notified by the Board.

Type of Results and Timeframes:

The Board receives various types of results from the DOJ and FBI.

  • Clear – A response stating no convictions have occurred or a listing of any conviction sustained.
  • Rejection – The Board will notify you within 14 days after a rejection of fingerprints is received from DOJ or FBI.
    If initial Live Scan fingerprints do not produce clear results, you will be notified by the BRN with additional instructions to re-submit fingerprints. You will not be charged an additional DOJ and FBI fee, but may be charged the Live Scan vendor's processing fee. Please allow 2 to 4 weeks for fingerprint results to be electronically transmitted from DOJ to the BRN. Click here for a list of Live Scan locations.
  • Delay – A DOJ or FBI delay can vary from approximately 30 to 90 days before the Board will receive a result.
  • Invalid – The Board will notify you within 14 days after an invalid fingerprint notification is received from DOJ or FBI.

If you are renewing to an INACTIVE status, you do NOT need to submit new fingerprints. Please note: if you renew to an active status but you are not compliant with our fingerprint requirement, the Board may update your status to "Inactive". If your RN license is on hold due to a fingerprint issue and you are renewing to inactive status, please contact the Fingerprint Unit by submitting an inquiry on the Contact Us page.


Frequently Asked Questions

How to Determine if You Need to Submit New Fingerprints

If you were licensed in California by exam or endorsement and you submitted fingerprints using a hard card or electronic Live Scan prior to January 1, 2014, then you may need to resubmit fingerprints. If your last fingerprint submission was before 2014, please contact the Board’s Fingerprint Unit by submitting an inquiry on the Contact Us page to verify if a new submission is required.

If the Board currently does not have an electronic record of fingerprints on file with BOTH levels of service (DOJ and FBI), you will need to submit/resubmit a new set of fingerprints. The BRN will notify licensees if they need to submit/resubmit fingerprints. Please verify your contact information, including email, by logging into your BreEZe account today.

Fingerprint Requirement for License Renewal
Title 16, California Code of Regulations, Sections 1419, 1419.1, and 1419.3 require the submission of fingerprints upon license renewal if the licensee was not previously fingerprinted by the Board or if a record of fingerprint submission no longer exists. Please note: the Board does not require a new submission of fingerprints at each renewal. If you submitted your fingerprints in 2014 or later, a new submission of fingerprints will not be required unless you are notified by the Board.

If you are renewing your license to an ACTIVE status, the Board must have fingerprint results from BOTH levels of service (DOJ and FBI) or you may be required to furnish to the Department of Justice, a full set of fingerprints, as directed by the Board. The BRN will notify licensees if they need to submit/resubmit fingerprints. Please verify your contact information, including email, by logging into your BreEZe account today. Failure to submit a full set of fingerprints to the DOJ on or before the date required for renewal of a license is grounds for discipline by the Board.

Instructions for Submitting Fingerprints

California Residents
You will need to complete a new fingerprint submission via the Live Scan process if you do not have current fingerprint results on file for both DOJ and FBI levels of service. Keep one (1) copy of the completed Live Scan form for your records as the Board may request you to send or upload a copy of the form to your BreEZe account if your results cannot be located.

FAX Live Scan form to:
ATTN: Fingerprint Unit
(916) 574-8647

Allow 1-2 weeks for processing and renewal of a license (if license is on hold due to a fingerprint issue).

MAIL Live Scan form to:
Board of Registered Nursing
ATTN: Fingerprint Unit
1747 N. Market Blvd., Ste. 150
Sacramento, CA 95834-2979

Allow 1-2 weeks for processing and renewal of a license (if license is on hold due to a fingerprint issue).

Residents Outside of California
You will need to submit one FD-258 hard fingerprint card with the $49 processing fee payable to the "Board of Registered Nursing"

  • if you do not have current fingerprint results on file for both DOJ and FBI levels of service; and
  • you are renewing your license to an ACTIVE status.

The Board must receive the fingerprint card with the $49 payment in order to renew the license. If the fingerprint card is received without the $49 payment, you will receive a letter in the mail requesting that the $49 fee be paid before we can continue processing of your renewal.

You may be able to obtain an FD-258 fingerprint card at your local police station or sheriff’s department. If they do not have the standard FD-258 fingerprint card, you can submit a request for a fingerprint card to be mailed to you by the Board.

MAIL FD-258 Fingerprint Card with $49 payment to:
Board of Registered Nursing
ATTN: Fingerprint Unit
1747 N. Market Blvd., Ste. 150
Sacramento, CA 95834-2979

Allow 4-6 weeks for cashiering, processing and renewal of a license (if license is on hold due to a fingerprint issue).