Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) treat children of all ages, from birth to adolescence and even into young adulthood. Like all NPs in California, they have a pathway to independent practice, which can open up a lot of possibilities for their careers.
Nurses who want to pursue a PNP degree have a few options in California, including DNP options.
How California PNP programs sort themselves out
California PNP programs split into Primary Care (PNP-PC) and Acute Care (PNP-AC) certifications. UCSF, UCLA, USD, SDSU, and Samuel Merritt all offer PNP tracks; UCSF is the only California school offering both PNP-PC and PNP-AC as dedicated specialties. For applicants outside major metro California, PNP options narrow significantly compared to FNP availability. California’s pediatric clinical network spans major children’s hospitals including UCSF Benioff Children’s, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Rady Children’s, and Lucile Packard Children’s Stanford.
California PNP Programs: Key Facts for 2026
- 8+ CCNE-accredited PNP programs — California offers PNP-Primary Care and PNP-Acute Care tracks, concentrated at research universities and academic medical centers.
- UCSF offers both PNP-PC and PNP-AC — the only California school running both as dedicated specialties.
- Major children’s hospital clinical access — UCSF Benioff, CHLA, Rady Children’s, and Lucile Packard clinical partnerships across California programs.
- PNCB certification — Graduates sit for the CPNP-PC (primary care) or CPNP-AC (acute care) exam through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.
- AB 890 Full Practice Authority — qualifying California PNPs gain full practice authority after 3+ years (6,000 hours) of post-certification practice.
- Top-ranked programs — UCSF and UCLA both place in U.S. News top 10 nursing graduate programs nationally.
PNP Programs Accepting California Applicants
California BSN to Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Programs
Nurses with BSN degrees have several options when looking for a PNP program in California. The following programs offer various pathways to enter this profession.
Azusa Pacific University
- Azusa, California
- Hybrid + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 55 units
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $860 per unit + fees
Program Overview:
The PNP program at Azusa Pacific University is unique because it prepares graduates to work as NPs, providing direct patient care in schools. The BSN to PNP with School Nurse Credential qualifies graduates to establish, maintain, and coordinate a comprehensive school health program. For nurses who already have an MSN, the school also offers a Post-Graduate MSN to PNP Primary Care, which is 33 to 37 units.
California State University, Long Beach
- Long Beach, California
- Hybrid + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: units
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $3,804 full time for residents + fees, $3,084 full time + $420 per unit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
If you’re looking for a DNP program, consider the BSN to DNP PNP Primary Care track at California State University, Long Beach. This is a full-time program that takes three years to complete. Classes are offered in a hybrid format with 15-week synchronous and asynchronous sessions. Coursework is divided into three components: 15 core courses, five clinical specialty courses, and four doctoral project classes.
Loma Linda University
- Loma Linda, California
- Hybrid + Campus + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 78 units
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $139,834 for the entire full-time program + fees
Program Overview:
Loma Linda University offers two options: a BSN to DNP PNP Acute Care track and a BSN to DNP PNP Primary Care track. Students can complete either program in three years full-time or five years part-time. Some of the coursework is done online, but students must come to campus for four to eight hours during Seminar Week every quarter. Clinical courses meet on campus four times a semester, and skill courses meet weekly, so there are a good amount of on-campus requirements.
University of San Diego
- San Diego, California
- Campus + In-person
Modality: On-campus with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 82
Clinical Hours: Not specified
Tuition: $1,800 per unit
Program Overview:
The Dual FNP/PNP DNP program is ideal for nurses who want to pursue a DNP and make themselves more marketable. This program prepares students to sit for the FNP and PNP exams. This campus-based program requires at least two days a week of in-person learning. Full—and part-time options are available, and students can complete the program in three to five years.
University of California, Los Angeles
- Los Angeles, California
- Unspecified
Modality: Unspecified
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $32,932 per year for residents, $45,177 per year for non-residents
Program Overview:
UCLA offers three PNP options for nurses wanting to pursue this career. The BSN to PNP Acute track is 79 units with 840 total clinical hours, divided between labs and direct patient care, and the BSN to PNP Primary track is 68 units and 720 total clinical hours. UCLA also offers a unique BSN to PNP Dual Specialty Acute/Primary track that prepares nurses to work in just about any care setting. It’s 88 units with 1,260 total clinical hours.
University of California, San Francisco
- San Francisco, California
- Hybrid + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: Not specified
Clinical Hours: Not specified
Tuition: $54,636 per year for residents, $69,738 per year for non-residents
Program Overview:
The University of California, San Francisco, offers a BSN to PNP DNP Acute Care track and a BSN to PNP DNP Primary Care track. These programs are designed to be completed in three years of full-time study, but part-time options are available. Most classes are hybrid at the start of the program, and students will have minimal on-campus requirements. In the second and third years, students will spend most of their time in clinical or on-campus specialty-focused courses.
University of San Diego
- San Diego, California
- Campus + In-person
Modality: On-campus with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 82
Clinical Hours: Not specified
Tuition: $1,800 per unit
Program Overview:
The Dual FNP/PNP DNP program at the University of San Diego is an excellent option for students looking for a career that offers many opportunities. This doctorate program prepares graduates for both the FNP and PNP exams so they can work with patients of all ages. This campus-based program requires at least two days a week of in-person learning and can be completed in as little as three years.
PNP Programs Accepting California Applicants
Online California PNP Programs
California PNP programs are primarily hybrid or campus-based, with in-person pediatric clinical training requirements. No California school currently offers a fully online PNP MSN track, though portions of coursework may be delivered online at several programs. For applicants seeking maximum scheduling flexibility, compare with out-of-state online PNP options; in-state California applicants should plan for hybrid delivery at UCSF, UCLA, USD, or SDSU.
Best PNP Programs in California
If you want the broadest PNP offering, UCSF is unique in California for offering both PNP-PC and PNP-AC as dedicated specialties at the MSN level. UCSF’s partnership with UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital gives students clinical access to one of the country’s top pediatric academic medical centers. UCLA, SDSU (partnered with Rady Children’s), and USD (partnered with Rady) also offer robust PNP programs with strong children’s hospital clinical networks.
California’s Most Affordable PNP Programs
SDSU’s MSN-PNP track offers CSU graduate tuition, the most affordable California public option for pediatric NP preparation. UCLA’s PNP tracks charge UC graduate tuition, with California resident rates significantly below non-resident rates. USD and Samuel Merritt are private and charge higher per-credit rates but often include more services in the bundled tuition. Verify current rates directly with each school.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between PNP-PC and PNP-AC?
PNP-PC (primary care) prepares students for outpatient pediatric care from birth through young adulthood in pediatric primary care offices, community health centers, school-based health, and general pediatric settings. PNP-AC (acute care) prepares students for pediatric intensive care, emergency departments, inpatient pediatric units, and specialty services. UCSF and UCLA are the California programs currently offering PNP-AC.
How long does a California PNP program take?
An MSN-level PNP program takes two to three years of full-time study. BSN-to-DNP programs with a PNP specialty take three to four years. Post-master’s PNP certificates, for nurses who already hold an MSN in another specialty, take one to two years.
Can I complete a California PNP program online?
A few California PNP programs offer hybrid formats, with Azusa Pacific and CSU Long Beach the main examples. Most California PNP programs require more in-person coursework than other NP specialties because of the hands-on pediatric assessment skills. All PNP programs require in-person clinical hours, which students complete locally through the program’s clinical placement process.
Does California have full practice authority for PNPs?
Yes. Under AB 890 (effective January 2023), a PNP with 103 Certification from the California Board of Registered Nursing can practice in organized healthcare settings without standardized procedures or physician oversight. After three years of 103 practice, the PNP can apply for 104 Certification for independent practice. Both require PNCB certification (CPNP-PC or CPNP-AC).
Which California universities offer PNP programs?
UCLA, UC San Francisco, Loma Linda University, Azusa Pacific University, CSU Long Beach, and University of San Diego. UCSF and UCLA offer both PNP-PC and PNP-AC; the others focus on PNP-PC.
What is the average salary for PNPs in California?
California is the highest-paying state in the country for nurse practitioners per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. PNPs in California’s children’s hospitals and academic medical centers (UCSF Benioff, CHLA, Rady’s, Lucile Packard) typically earn at the higher end of the NP range. Bay Area and Southern California metros lead the national NP salary rankings.
California PNP Programs: Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between PNP-PC and PNP-AC?
Pediatric Primary Care NPs (PNP-PC) work in outpatient pediatric clinics, schools, and community health, providing well-child and chronic condition management. Pediatric Acute Care NPs (PNP-AC) work in children’s hospitals, pediatric ICUs, and specialty services managing acutely and critically ill children. They require separate PNCB certifications.
Which California schools offer both PNP-PC and PNP-AC?
UCSF is the only California school offering both PNP-PC and PNP-AC as dedicated MSN specialties. UCLA and USD offer PNP tracks as well, though the specific PC/AC split varies by cohort year.
Where do California PNP students complete clinicals?
California PNP programs typically partner with major children’s hospitals. UCSF’s Benioff Children’s Hospital is the primary clinical site for UCSF students. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) partners with UCLA and USC students. Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego partners with SDSU and USD. Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford provides clinical access for Bay Area students.
Does California grant full practice authority to PNPs?
Yes, with conditions. AB 890 grants Full Practice Authority to qualifying PNPs in California. Qualifying PNPs must complete at least 3 years (6,000 hours) of qualifying post-certification practice before gaining full independent practice authority.
How long does it take to earn a PNP in California?
MSN-PNP programs typically run 2 to 3 years full-time. BSN-to-DNP PNP tracks run 3 to 4 years. Part-time pathways extend completion by 1-2 additional years. After graduating, candidates sit for the CPNP-PC or CPNP-AC certification through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB), then apply for APRN licensure through the California Board of Registered Nursing.