Advanced Practice APRN Compact

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist License Requirements

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice registered nurses who administer anesthesia and provide anesthesia care before, during, and after surgical and other medical procedures.

60K+
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
$203,090
Avg. Salary
14%
Job Growth
50
State Guides

About CRNA Licensing

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice registered nurses who administer anesthesia and provide anesthesia care before, during, and after surgical and other medical procedures.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists are among the highest-paid nursing professionals, providing anesthesia services for surgeries, procedures, and pain management. CRNAs work in hospitals, surgical centers, dental offices, and pain clinics.

Scope of Practice

  • Pre-anesthetic assessment and preparation
  • Administration of general and regional anesthesia
  • Intraoperative patient monitoring
  • Post-anesthesia care and pain management
  • Emergency resuscitation and airway management

Certification

NBCRNA Certification

CRNAs must be certified by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). This requires graduation from an accredited nurse anesthesia program and passing the National Certification Examination (NCE).

Prerequisites

To become a CRNA, you must hold an active RN license and have at least one year of critical care nursing experience (ICU, CCU, or emergency department). Most programs require a BSN and completion of a doctoral-level nurse anesthesia program (DNAP or DNP).

View RN Requirements

Highest-Paid Nursing Role

CRNAs are among the highest-paid nursing professionals with an average salary of $203,090.