Advanced Practice APRN Compact

Nurse Practitioner License Requirements

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice registered nurses who provide primary and specialty healthcare services, including diagnosing conditions, prescribing medications, and managing patient care.

355K+
Nurse Practitioners
$121,610
Avg. Salary
45%
Job Growth
50
State Guides

About Nurse Practitioner Licensing

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice registered nurses who provide primary and specialty healthcare services, including diagnosing conditions, prescribing medications, and managing patient care.

Nurse Practitioners are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who have completed graduate-level education and clinical training. NPs can specialize in various areas including family practice, pediatrics, psychiatry, and more.

NP Specializations

FNP

Family Nurse Practitioner - Primary care across the lifespan

AGNP

Adult-Gerontology NP - Adult and elderly patient care

PMHNP

Psychiatric Mental Health NP - Mental health care

PNP

Pediatric NP - Pediatric patient care

Certification Bodies

ANCC

American Nurses Credentialing Center

AANPCB

American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board

Prerequisites

To become a Nurse Practitioner, you must first hold an active RN license and complete a graduate-level NP program (MSN or DNP). Most programs require clinical experience as an RN before admission.

View RN Requirements