Getting a License

APRN licensure and certification are two separate requirements for practice as an APRN. There are four different APRN roles with a license to practice in the United States and U.S. territories: certified nurse practitioner (NP), certified nurse-midwife (CNM), certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), and clinical nurse specialist (CNS). This chapter focuses on the process for applying for the initial NP license. Once one has obtained national certification for their APRN NP role and population specialty, they can apply for their APRN license. In most states, NPs are licensed by the state board of nursing, but in some, they are licensed by the state board of medical licensure. For both licensing and practice information, the licensing board of the individual state should be the primary source of information. The chapter provides an overview of the general process to obtain APRN licensure and some resources for additional information.