California Nurse Practitioner Malpractice Insurance
Professional Liability & Malpractice Coverage for Nurse Practitioners
Whether you practice in hospital medicine, primary care, aesthetics, or telehealth, this specific guide helps you choose the right malpractice coverage—quickly and confidently.
Professional Liability and Malpractice Insurance Built for Nurse Practitioners
NPs Need Tailored Liability Insurance
California
Why
State laws often do not mandate that Nurse Practitioners or APRNs carry malpractice insurance; however, hospitals, staffing firms, and collaborating-physician agreements often require it as a condition of privileging or employment.
Maintaining your own policy:
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Puts you first in any claim defense
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Follows you when you moonlight or change jobs
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Meets common facility standards (often $1M / $3M total limits) in state credentialing, even when not set by statute
How much does NP insurance cost in California?
Typical averages by NP risk class (full-time, experienced providers):
$201 - New Grad
$1,006 - N1 (e.g., dermatology; geriatrics; women’s health—no L&D):
$1,421 - N2 (psychiatric/mental health):
$1,838 - N3 (family medicine, urgent care, pediatrics):
$2,539 - N4 (cosmetic; OB/GYN incl. labor & delivery):
Sample rates only. Premium will be underwritten for your exact situation when using our Instant Online Quote portal.
New-Grad Discounts Available (typical schedule):
Year 1: 80% off → Year 2: 60% → Year 3: 40% → Year 4: 20%, then phases to standard rates in Year 5.
NP Insurance cost varies depending on:
* Full-time vs. part-time hours
* Claims-made vs. occurrence form
* Specialty risk (primary care vs. pain management vs. aesthetics)
* Prior claims history
**Note:** Rates will be underwritten for your exact situation.
Nurse Practitioner FAQ's
California
Do nurse practitioners in California have to carry malpractice insurance?
California: No statewide NP mandate. Most California employers/privileging bodies expect individual coverage-commonly $1,000,000 per claim / $3,000,000 aggregate. Confirm facility bylaws.
What liability limits do NPs in California usually choose?
California: Typical NP limits are $1,000,000 per claim / $3,000,000 aggregate. Some settings specify $500,000/$1,000,000 or $2,000,000/$4,000,000+ depending on procedures and bylaws.
Can NPs in California prescribe medications (including controlled substances)?
California: Restricted practice (supervision/delegation required) - prescribing allowed with DEA (and state CS registration where required). Furnishing/standardized procedures apply; AB 890 created independent NP categories with added steps. Reference (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code Section Section 2837.103-2837.104)
Do NPs in California practice independently or need a collaborating physician?
California: Restricted practice (supervision/delegation required). Physician supervision or delegation is required for core elements of care; verify protocols and availability terms. Reference (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code Section Section 2837.103-2837.104).
Are there special documentation or telehealth considerations for NPs in California?
As of 2025: Telehealth requires prior consent under BPC Section 2290.5-document the consent method and the modality used for each encounter. Include: identity/location, consent, modality, pertinent positives/negatives, plan, any referrals/tests, and PDMP verification when prescribing CS. Primary authority: Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code Section 2290.5.
California BRN - NP Standards (NPR-B-20) - https://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/regulations/npr-b-20.pdf
How much does nurse practitioner malpractice insurance cost in California?
In California, typical NP malpractice premiums for $1M/$3M limits range from $201 to $2,539 per year. A new grad can be as low as $201. A specialty in dermatology, geriatrics or women's health (no labor & delivery) as low as $1,006 per year. A specialty in psychiatric or mental health as low as $1,421 per year. A specialty in family medicine, urgent care or pediatrics as low as $1,838 per year. A specialty in cosmetic, OB/GYN including labor and delivery as low as $2,539 per year. These are sample rates only; your premium will be underwritten based on specialty, hours, claims history, and policy form. Get instant online quotes: https://www.careproinsurance.com/instant-nurse-practitioner-liability-insurance-quotes
California
Specific Laws and Regulations
AB 890 created independent-practice pathways (Categories I & II) for NPs meeting training and transition‑to‑practice criteria. As a Nurse Practitioner in California, verify specifics with the state Board links included below.
Category I requires 3 full‑time years or 4,600 hours of direct NP practice within the past 5 years. As a Nurse Practitioner in California, verify specifics with the state Board links included below.
NPs practicing independently must follow Business & Professions Code §§2837.103–2837.104. As a Nurse Practitioner in California, verify specifics with the state Board links included below.
SB 1451 (2024) streamlines AB 890 implementation and clarifies proof of transition‑to‑practice (3 yrs/4,600 hrs) and disclosures. As a Nurse Practitioner in California, verify specifics with the state Board links included below.
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Helpful Links:
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Nurse Practitioner Malpractice Insurance: 21 Burning Questions Every NP Asks in 2025
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Affordable Nurse Practitioner Malpractice Insurance for New Graduates: What You Need to Know
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5 Common Myths About Nurse Practitioner Professional Liability Insurance (Debunked)
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Comprehensive Guide to Tail Coverage for Nurse Practitioners