Nurse Practitioner Licensing Guide for the state of Pennsylvania
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) – category including nurse practitioners – are equipped to carry out tasks considered to be advanced for registered nurses (RNs) through advanced professional training. Learn more about limitations of nurse practitioner practice in Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing is responsible for issuing licenses to nursing professionals, therefore protecting the quality of nursing services provided within the state. The board receives applications all year long and follow a thorough review process. Licenses are awarded to applicants who complete the licensing requirements.
One of the major application requirements is that applicants must hold a valid, and unencumbered, RN license to practice in Pennsylvania. Since the state is a party to the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), applicants can present a multistate NLC RN license. The NLC allows nurses to practice telephonically and/or physically in member states without needing to apply for a new license. Holders of such multi-state licenses are only required to apply for a new license when they want to change their primary state of residence.