Protect Your Nursing License as a Traveling Nurse in California

| Posted in Licensing Defense on May 5, 2025

Protect Your Nursing License as a Travel Nurse in CA | Nicole Irmer

Travel nursing has become increasingly popular. It’s a great way to see the country, help out in areas that have a critical need for nurses, and often get paid a premium wage. However, for all of its benefits, travel nursing isn’t without its own risks.

This is particularly true in California, which isn’t part of the Nursing License Compact (NLC). Registered nurses (RNs) and Licensed Professional Nurses (LPNs) must obtain a license to work in the state – and must also familiarize themselves with the requirements of California’s Nursing Practice Act (NPA). 

At the Law Offices of Nicole Irmer, we provide skilled, compassionate legal representation to medical professionals throughout California, including travel nurses. We understand that even the most conscientious nurse can have a lapse and work hard to protect our client’s license and livelihood. Reach out to our law firm today to schedule a consultation with a California travel nurse defense lawyer.

How to Avoid Nursing License Issues as a Travel Nurse in California

Hospitals throughout California are dealing with a shortage of qualified nurses. This can make travel nursing a particularly attractive option. However, there are some things that every travel nurse should keep in mind when working in California. Below, we share some tips on avoiding potential licensure issues for California travel nurses.

Getting a License

California is not part of the Nurse License Compact. This means that travel nurses must obtain a license before working as a nurse in the state. California does offer licensure by endorsement, which is essentially a reciprocal license. You can obtain a California nursing license if you hold a current and active license in another state, U.S. territory, or Canada, and meet certain requirements.

To obtain a reciprocal license, you will need to fill out an application, register for a BreEZe account, submit fingerprints, and complete a verification of license form. You must also disclose any prior convictions or disciplinary action in another state. Failure to properly complete the form or to disclose any disciplinary issues will likely result in a denial.

If you are licensed by endorsement in California, you should bear in mind that you will still have to comply with any requirements set by your home state’s nursing board. For example, if your home state has continuing education requirements, you will have to complete those in addition to any requirements set by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN).

Understanding Disclosure Requirements

In California, licensed nurses have an affirmative duty to disclose any license discipline and/or criminal convictions within 30 days. This includes nursing board discipline and criminal arrests or convictions that occur in another state. A failure to report these matters may result in disciplinary action by the BRN.

For example, you are working in California as a travel nurse when you are arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) while you are going home for a holiday. While you may not believe that the DUI is relevant to your California nursing license, the BRN will likely learn of the arrest through law enforcement databases. If you are convicted of the DUI offense, then you are required to disclose it to the BRN. This should be done within 30 days after consulting with a California nursing license defense attorney.

If the BRN learns about a criminal matter or a disciplinary issue in another state, it will investigate the allegations. It is important to understand that a failure to disclose can result in disciplinary action, even if the underlying charge would not. If you are dealing with a criminal matter and/or license issue in another state, you should always consult with a lawyer in California to determine your disclosure requirements.

Understand the Nursing Practice Act

The NPA governs the practice of nursing in the state of California. If you are licensed to work as a nurse in the state of California, then you must be familiar with the provisions of this law. This includes travel nurses who may be licensed by endorsement after going through the process to get a nursing license in another state.

The NPA contains provisions about everything from licensing standards for different types of nurses to disciplinary provisions and intervention programs (for nurses struggling with substance abuse and/or mental health issues). To protect your nursing license, one of the most important things to know about the NPA is the potential basis for disciplinary action.

Some of the more common reasons for disciplinary action against nurses include:

  1. Unprofessional conduct, professional misconduct, or negligence
  2. Charting errors
  3. HIPAA violations
  4. Drug diversion
  5. Criminal activity
  6. Refusal to take a drug test or failing a drug test
  7. Disciplinary action in another state
  8. Inappropriate social media activity
  9. Failure to get fingerprinted
  10. Failure to pay state taxes

In many respects, California’s NPA is similar to the laws for nurses in other states. You should still check to make sure that you understand exactly how they differ. For example, your home state nursing board might not require disclosure of criminal arrests or convictions for 60 days – but the standard in California is 30 days.

Other steps that you can take to protect your license include thorough charting. Taking the time to document your actions and other issues related to a patient can make a difference in a disciplinary action. You should also check and double-check before administering medications to any patient. 

Travel nurses might also choose to report safety issues at the hospital where they are working. Travel nurses are often hired specifically because of staffing shortages – which can create conditions where nurses are dangerously overworked and more prone to making errors. If you believe that conditions are unsafe, you can and should report it to protect yourself, your patients, and your fellow nurses.

Dealing with Disciplinary Action in California

In California, the BRN and the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians regulate the practice of nursing. This includes investigating alleged violations of the NPA. When warranted, these boards may impose disciplinary sanctions for violations of the NPA. This may include anything from a formal reprimand to license suspension or revocation.

If you learn of a complaint filed against you as a travel nurse in California, the most important thing that you can do is seek legal counsel. Nursing boards take issues like professional misconduct, negligence, and criminal convictions seriously. They will conduct an investigation to determine if you have committed a violation. If so, then the Board will file a formal Accusation against you – and potentially limit your ability to work as a nurse in California.

A California nursing license defense lawyer can help you navigate the process. This may include intervening with the Board early in the process to resolve the complaint with informal discipline that won’t become public through the BreEZe system. They may also be able to negotiate a stipulated settlement based on their own investigation plus any evidence of mitigating facts and/or rehabilitation. This can often result in a more favorable outcome, particularly compared to nurses who attempt to represent themselves in the process.

Keep in mind that anything that you say to a Board investigator can be used against you, both in disciplinary proceedings and any potential criminal matter. While you should never ignore any communications from the Board, you should always consult with a California travel nurse licensing lawyer before talking to a Board investigator or filling out any paperwork related to a disciplinary issue. We can protect your interests and work to get you the best possible outcome.

How Our Law Firm Can Help

Working as a travel nurse can be a great gig. However, it does require you to familiarize yourself with and comply with a state’s laws related to nursing. In California, this also includes a specific requirement to disclose criminal matters and disciplinary issues that may have occurred in other states.

At the Law Office of Nicole Irmer, we represent registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and other healthcare professionals who are dealing with investigations and disciplinary issues with their nursing board. As travel nursing becomes more common, we offer skilled legal advice to nurses who may be concerned about potential issues when working in California.  For a confidential, no-risk discussion of your legal options with a travel nurse license defense attorney, call us at (619) 237-6310 or email us at any time.

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