Nebraska Nurse Practitioner Licensure Steps - 2025

How to Become a Nurse Practitioner in Nebraska

Nebraska is facing a critical crossroads in healthcare delivery—and nurse practitioners are at the center of the solution.

With more than 80 of Nebraska’s 93 counties classified as medically underserved, the demand for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), including nurse practitioners (NPs), is climbing fast. Many rural communities in the state are struggling with a shrinking supply of primary care physicians, an aging population, and geographic barriers to access. In short: Nebraska needs NPs now more than ever.

Fortunately, Nebraska is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state and supports Full Practice Authority for nurse practitioners—meaning that once licensed, NPs can evaluate patients, diagnose conditions, interpret diagnostic tests, and initiate treatment plans, including prescribing medications, without direct physician oversight. That autonomy not only improves patient access—it empowers NPs to lead in high-need areas.

If you’re ready to answer the call, this step-by-step guide explains exactly how to become a nurse practitioner in Nebraska—from obtaining your RN license and earning your advanced degree, to securing national certification and applying for your state-issued APRN-NP license. Let’s walk through the full journey, one critical milestone at a time.

Obtain a Registered Nurse (RN) License in Nebraska

Before becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) in Nebraska, you must hold an active and unencumbered RN license. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) offers two pathways for RN licensure: by examination and by endorsement. Nebraska is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), meaning nurses with a valid multi-state license from another NLC member state may practice in Nebraska without applying for a separate RN license—unless they are relocating permanently.

RN Licensure by Examination

• For new graduates who have never been licensed in the U.S.
• Applicants must graduate from an accredited nursing program with at least an associate’s degree—though a BSN is preferred for future APRNs.
• Submit an application to DHHS online or by mail, along with the $123 fee.
• Request official transcripts to be sent directly from your nursing school to DHHS. Transcripts must include your degree and graduation date.
• Register for the NCLEX-RN exam at Pearson VUE ($200 fee). You’ll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) once the Board deems you eligible.
• Complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check (CBC). Instructions and forms can be found on the DHHS website. The CBC fee is $45.25.
• Foreign-educated nurses must submit a credential evaluation from the CGFNS. If trained in a language other than English, you may also need to pass a TOEFL or IELTS exam.

RN Licensure by Endorsement

• For RNs already licensed in another U.S. state or territory.
• Applicants must have passed the NCLEX-RN or a recognized equivalent exam.
• Submit the application online or via mail, and pay the $123 fee.
• Verify your license through Nursys for a $30 fee. If your state doesn’t participate, contact their board for manual verification.
• Complete the fingerprint-based CBC as described above.
• Multi-state license holders under the NLC do not need to reapply unless changing primary residence to Nebraska.

Important: All RN applicants must submit accurate documentation. Falsification may result in license denial or revocation.

Complete an Approved Graduate Nurse Practitioner Program

Nebraska requires all nurse practitioner applicants to complete an approved graduate-level nurse practitioner program that confers a master’s degree or higher. This education forms the backbone of advanced clinical practice and prepares nurses for licensure and certification in a specific patient population focus.

To meet Nebraska Board of Nursing standards, your program must:

• Be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency, such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
• Include a combination of didactic coursework and at least 500 hours of supervised clinical preceptorship tailored to your population focus.
• Cover essential topics such as advanced pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced health assessment.
• Provide instruction in behavioral, biological, and health sciences to support safe, effective practice in complex patient care environments.

Your coursework must prepare you to diagnose, manage, and treat patients independently, and must align with the scope of practice for NPs in Nebraska. The program should also provide the academic foundation for passing a national certification exam (discussed in the next step).

Population foci options include:

• Family/Individual across the Lifespan
• Adult-Gerontology Primary or Acute Care
• Pediatrics (Primary or Acute Care)
• Psychiatric-Mental Health
• Neonatal
• Women’s Health/Gender-Related Health

If you’re unsure which focus to choose, contact the national certification body that aligns with your intended specialty. They can provide guidance on which accredited programs best meet the requirements for certification and licensure in Nebraska.

Important Tip: If your degree was awarded more than two years before applying for your NP license in Nebraska, be prepared to submit proof of recent clinical practice or continuing education—particularly in pharmacology—to demonstrate current competency.

Obtain National Certification as a Nurse Practitioner

Before you can apply for licensure as a nurse practitioner (APRN-NP) in Nebraska, you must earn national certification from an approved certifying agency. Certification validates that you’ve acquired the advanced clinical knowledge, skills, and judgment necessary to practice safely and independently in your chosen population focus.

The Nebraska Board of Nursing recognizes the following national certifying bodies for nurse practitioners:

• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
• American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)
• Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)
• National Certification Corporation (NCC)

Each agency offers exams specific to a patient population focus, such as:

• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Adult-Gerontology Primary or Acute Care NP
• Pediatric Primary or Acute Care NP
• Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
• Women’s Health NP

To qualify for the certification exam, you must have graduated from an accredited NP program that matches the focus area of the exam. Certification is generally valid for 5 years and must be maintained through continuing education and clinical practice.

Once certified, you’ll request your certifying agency to send official verification directly to the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS). This is a required part of your licensure application.

Helpful Tip: It’s best to apply for certification as soon as you graduate. Many certifying bodies allow students to sit for exams shortly before or after graduation, which can help streamline the licensure process in Nebraska.

Apply for Licensure as a Nurse Practitioner (APRN-NP) in Nebraska

Once you’ve secured your RN license, completed an advanced practice nursing program, and obtained national certification, you’re ready to apply for licensure as a nurse practitioner in Nebraska.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) processes APRN-NP applications through its Licensure Unit. You can submit your application online or by paper form. The application fee varies based on timing relative to the state’s renewal cycle, typically ranging from $25 to $68.

Documents and Requirements

• Official transcript from your graduate NP program sent directly from the school to the Board. It must state your degree and date of graduation.
• Proof of national certification sent directly from your certifying agency to DHHS.
• Verification of RN license in Nebraska or another NLC state. If issued outside Nebraska, use the Nursys verification platform (fee: $30). If your board doesn’t participate in Nursys, contact them directly.
• Criminal background check (CBC), including fingerprinting. Instructions are included with the application packet. The fee is $45.25.

Practice Requirements & Collaborative Agreement

If you’ve practiced less than 2,000 hours as an APRN, do not hold a master’s or doctoral degree, or have not completed 45 contact hours of pharmacology coursework in the past five years, you must establish an Integrated Practice Agreement (IPA) with a collaborating physician. This agreement outlines how you’ll work with a physician on patient care, including consultation and referral protocols.

Once your application is complete, send it — along with supporting materials — to the following address (unless completed online):

Helpful Tip: If your goal is to practice independently in Nebraska, consider logging 2,000+ supervised APRN hours and completing required pharmacology coursework early. This will exempt you from the collaborative agreement requirement in the future.

Prescriptive Authority and License Renewal in Nebraska

Prescriptive authority isn’t automatically granted with your APRN-NP license in Nebraska — it must be requested, documented, and approved by the Nebraska Board of Nursing.

How to Obtain Prescriptive Authority

Nebraska grants qualified nurse practitioners the authority to prescribe medications, including controlled substances, but only after meeting specific requirements and submitting a separate Prescriptive Authority Application. To be eligible, you must:

• Hold a current and active Nebraska APRN-NP license
• Have completed 30 contact hours of education in pharmacotherapeutics within the two years prior to application, or as part of your graduate NP program
• Have practiced at least 2,000 hours as an APRN or submit an Integrated Practice Agreement with a collaborating physician if below this threshold

Applicants who meet the above requirements may also request authority to prescribe controlled substances. If granted, you’ll need to apply for a state-level Controlled Substances Registration (CSR) through DHHS and register with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Maintaining Your Licensure

Nebraska APRN-NP licenses expire on October 31st of even-numbered years. The renewal process involves:

• Maintaining a valid RN license (Nebraska or NLC)
• Current national certification from a Board-approved certifying body
• Completion of 40 contact hours of continuing education (CE) in your NP specialty within the previous two years
• CE must include at least 10 hours in pharmacotherapeutics if you hold prescriptive authority

License renewal can be completed online. Renewal fees vary depending on license type and timing.

Key Renewal Reminders:

• Failure to renew your license results in expiration — there is no grace period.
• Always keep your contact information updated in the DHHS licensing portal to ensure you receive renewal notices.
• If you do not wish to renew, submit a request to place your license on inactive status to avoid reapplication penalties.

Nebraska offers full practice authority to nurse practitioners after meeting licensure, education, and practice hour requirements. With the state’s commitment to improving rural health access, experienced APRNs are uniquely positioned to lead primary care efforts across underserved communities.