Nurse Practitioner License FAQs
Common questions about NP licensure, certification requirements, prescriptive authority, and practice regulations.
Can Nurse Practitioners prescribe medication?
Yes, Nurse Practitioners can prescribe medications in all 50 states, but the level of authority varies:
Full Practice Authority (27 states): NPs can prescribe independently, including controlled substances, without physician oversight.
Reduced Practice (12 states): Collaborative agreement with a physician required, but NPs can still prescribe.
Restricted Practice (11 states): Physician supervision required for prescribing.
All NPs with prescriptive authority need a DEA registration to prescribe controlled substances.
What are the NP certification exams?
Nurse Practitioners must pass a national certification exam in their specialty. The two main certifying bodies are:
ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center):
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (AGPCNP-BC)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (AGACNP-BC)
- Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (PMHNP-BC)
- Pediatric Primary Care NP (CPNP-PC)
AANPCB (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board):
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (A-GNP-C)
- Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (PMHNP-C) — NCCA-accredited effective June 11, 2025
- Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP-C)
Other Specialty Certifications:
- NCC: Women’s Health NP (WHNP-BC)
- PNCB: Pediatric Primary Care NP (CPNP-PC), Pediatric Acute Care NP (CPNP-AC)
- AACN: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (ACNPC-AG)
Exam Details:
| Aspect | ANCC | AANPCB |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 175 for FNP-BC (150 scored + 25 pretest) | 150 on every exam |
| Time | 3.5 hours for FNP-BC | Not published |
| Cost, non-member | $395 | $315 |
| Cost, member | $295 (ANA) | $240 (AANP/AAENP) |
| Results | Pass/fail, diagnostic feedback if you fail | Emailed within 3-5 business days |
ANCC fees are set per certification and include a $140 non-refundable administrative fee; FNP-BC is shown here. Verified against nursingworld.org and aanpcert.org on 2026-09-04.
Most employers accept certification from either ANCC or AANPCB for equivalent specialties. Note that AANPCB does not certify acute care or pediatric primary care NPs, so those specialties must go through ANCC. AANPCB added a psychiatric-mental health certification in 2025, so PMHNP candidates now have a choice.
For a full side-by-side including recertification requirements, see the ANCC vs AANP comparison. For what it takes to keep an ANCC credential current, see ANCC certification renewal.
How much do Nurse Practitioners make?
Nurse Practitioners earn a median salary of $126,260 per year ($60.70/hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2024 Occupational Employment Statistics.
National Averages (BLS 2024):
| Experience Level | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry-level | $100,000-$110,000 |
| Median | $126,260 |
| Experienced (10+ years) | $140,000-$160,000 |
Salary by Specialty (AANP 2024 Compensation Survey):
| Specialty | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Psychiatric NP (PMHNP) | $145,000 |
| Acute Care NP | $135,000 |
| Family NP (FNP) | $120,000 |
| Pediatric NP | $118,000 |
| Women’s Health NP | $115,000 |
Highest Paying States (BLS 2024):
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $158,130 |
| New Jersey | $143,250 |
| Washington | $140,500 |
| New York | $139,000 |
| Massachusetts | $137,500 |
Factors affecting NP salary:
- Full practice authority states often pay more (24 states have FPA)
- Rural and underserved areas offer loan repayment incentives
- Hospital employment vs. private practice ownership
- Specialty certifications (PMHNP commands premium)
Many NPs also receive sign-on bonuses ($5,000-$25,000), loan repayment assistance, and productivity bonuses.