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Nurse Practitioner
NP licensure requires an MSN or DNP from an accredited program plus national certification (AANP or ANCC). Practice authority varies dramatically by state — from full independent practice to restrictive physician supervision requirements. Prescriptive authority and the APRN Compact add additional complexity.
51
States Covered
23
Full Practice Authority
5
APRN Compact States
$526
Avg. License Fee
NP licensing involves education, national certification, and state APRN licensure — with practice authority level being the most variable and consequential factor by state.
NPs must hold an MSN or DNP from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited program and pass a national certification exam from AANP or ANCC. Specialty tracks include Family (FNP), Adult-Gerontology, Pediatric, Psychiatric-Mental Health (PMHNP), and Women's Health.
States classify NP practice as Full Practice Authority (independent practice), Reduced Practice Authority (collaborative agreement required), or Restricted Practice Authority (physician supervision required). This single factor most determines where NPs choose to practice and what salary they can command.
Most states grant NPs prescriptive authority including controlled substances (Schedule II–V), but requirements vary. DEA registration ($888 every 3 years) is required to prescribe controlled substances federally. Some states add state-level controlled substance registration requirements.
Side-by-side fees, hours, exams, and timelines across all 50 states. Sort by cost, hours, or any column.
Compare All StatesFind out if your license transfers to another state and what extra steps are needed.
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Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | Credential | Practice Authority | Independent | Controlled Substances | CE Hours | Fees | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | CRNP | Reduced Practice | No | Schedule II-V (with collaborative agreement) | 24 | $715 | March 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | APRN | Full Practice Authority | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 30 | $665 | March 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | NP | Full Practice Authority | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 0 | $615 | March 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | APRN | Reduced Practice | No | Schedule II-V after completing 300 supervised prescribing hours | 15 | $490 | March 2026 |
| California(CA) | NP | Restricted Practice | No | Schedule II-V (with physician supervision/collaboration) | 30 | $965 | March 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | APN (Advanced Practice Nurse) | Full Practice Authority | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 0 | $416 | March 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | APRN | Full Practice Authority — CT statute and DPH practice page indicate APRNs may practice and prescribe independently; a collaborative agreement page exists but agreements are not required for NPs | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 50 | $715 | March 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | APRN | Full Practice Authority | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent prescribing authority confirmed for Delaware APRNs with full practice authority) | 30 | $574 | March 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) | Full Practice Authority | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 24 | $676 | March 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | ARNP | Restricted Practice | No | Schedule II-V (with physician supervision/collaboration) | 27 | $500 | March 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | APRN | Restricted Practice (physician collaboration/delegation required via Nurse Protocol Agreement) | No | Schedule III-V; Schedule II limited | 30 | $390 | March 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | APRN | Full Practice Authority | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 30 | $495 | March 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | APRN-NP | Full Practice Authority | Yes | Schedule II through V controlled substances (pharmacologic agents per IDAPA 24.34.01) | 30 | $495 | March 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | APN | Reduced Practice | No | Schedule II-V (with collaborative agreement) | 80 | $440 | March 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | APRN-NP | Reduced Practice (collaborative practice agreement with a licensed practitioner required for prescriptive authority) | No | Schedule II-V (with collaborative agreement) | 0 | $415 | March 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | ARNP | Full Practice Authority | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 36 | $515 | March 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | APRN | Full Practice Authority | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 30 | $490 | March 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | APRN | Reduced Practice | No | Schedule II-V (with collaborative agreement) | 14 | $480 | March 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | APRN | Reduced Practice (as of AANP January 2026 map; no confirmed legislative change to Full Practice Authority) | No | Schedule II-V (with collaborative agreement) | 30 | $415 | March 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | APRN | Full Practice Authority | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 50 | $467 | March 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | CRNP | Full Practice Authority | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 30 | $365 | March 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse); clinical categories include CNP, CNM, CRNA, PCNS, CNS | Full Practice Authority | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 15 | $440 | March 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | NP | Restricted Practice | No | Schedule II-V (with physician supervision/collaboration) | 25 | $371 | March 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | APRN-CNP | Full Practice Authority | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 24 | $420 | March 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | APRN | Reduced Practice | No | Schedule II-V (with collaborative agreement) | 20 | $515 | March 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | APRN | Restricted Practice (Collaborative Practice required) | No | Schedule III-V; Schedule II very limited | 0 | $390 | March 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | APRN | Full Practice Authority | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 24 | $615 | March 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | APRN-NP | Full Practice Authority | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 20 | $538 | March 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | APRN | Full Practice Authority | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 45 | $665 | March 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | APRN | Full Practice Authority | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 30 | $535 | March 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | APN (Advanced Practice Nurse) | Reduced Practice | No | Schedule II-V (with joint protocol/collaborative agreement) | 30 | $575 | March 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | CNP | Full Practice Authority (confirmed by absence of any collaborative agreement or supervision requirement in the NMBON CNP application requirements) | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 30 | $615 | March 2026 |
| New York(NY) | NP | Full Practice Authority | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 36 | $400 | March 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | NP | Restricted Practice (Collaborative Practice Agreement required) | No | Schedule II-V (with physician supervision/collaboration) | 30 | $340+ | March 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | APRN | Full Practice Authority — no collaborative agreement or physician supervision required | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 12 | $600 | March 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | APRN-CNP (also referred to simply as CNP) | Reduced Practice | No | Schedule II-V (with collaborative agreement) | 24 | $620 | March 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | APRN-CNP | Restricted Practice | No | Schedule III-V; Schedule II limited with supervision | 24 | $540 | March 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | NP | Full Practice Authority (APRN) | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 30 | $690 | March 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | CRNP | Reduced Practice | No | Schedule II-V (with collaborative agreement) | 30 | $415 | March 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | APRN | Full Practice Authority (independent scope confirmed in regulation) | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 10 | $535 | March 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | APRN | Restricted Practice | No | Schedule III-V; Schedule II very restricted | 30 | $515 | March 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | CNP | Full Practice Authority | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 0 | $515 | March 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | NP | Restricted Practice | No | Schedule II-V (with physician supervision/collaboration) | 40 | $515 | March 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | APRN | Restricted Practice | No | Schedule III-V; no independent Schedule II | 25 | $515 | March 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | APRN-NP | Full Practice Authority | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 30 | $438 | March 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | APRN | Full Practice Authority | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 0 | $565 | March 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | NP | Restricted Practice | No | Schedule II-V (with physician supervision/collaboration) | 30 | $700 | March 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | ARNP | Full Practice Authority | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 30 | $521 | March 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | APRN | Reduced Practice | No | Schedule II-V (with collaborative agreement) | 30 | $465 | March 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | APNP (Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriber); note that 2025 WI Act 17 (APRN Modernization Act) may transition credential terminology to 'APRN' effective September 1, 2026 | Reduced Practice | No | Schedule II-V (with collaborative agreement) | 0 | $440 | March 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | APRN | Full Practice Authority | Yes | Schedule II-V (independent) | 20 | $515 | March 2026 |
NPs build on RN experience and work alongside physician assistants. Explore the full healthcare licensing landscape.
Licensed in the U.S. and considering practicing abroad? Our international guide covers credential evaluation, exam equivalencies, and country-specific requirements.
See international nurse practitioner licensing requirements →Practice authority state rankings, APRN compact membership list, AANP vs. ANCC certification comparison, prescriptive authority rules, and state-by-state CE requirements — all in one guide.
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