New Hampshire Nurse Practitioner Licensure Steps - 2025

How to Become a Nurse Practitioner in New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s healthcare workforce is under growing pressure. With over 62,000 individuals already working in the sector and an expected 60% increase in nurse practitioner (NP) roles by 2030, the state is actively seeking skilled professionals to fill gaps across hospitals, clinics, and rural health systems.

To confront these challenges head-on, the state developed a comprehensive strategic plan focused on health workforce recruitment, policy reform, and support infrastructure. For nurse practitioners, this means more than just job availability—it signals a future of professional growth, state-level investment, and an expanded role in direct patient care.

Licensed NPs in New Hampshire are classified as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) with prescriptive authority, diagnostic responsibilities, and the ability to provide primary and specialty care services. Whether you intend to serve in bustling Manchester or a small-town clinic in the White Mountains, the path to licensure remains consistent and well-structured.

This step-by-step guide details how to become a nurse practitioner in New Hampshire, including:

• How to qualify for and obtain your RN license (via exam or endorsement)
• The advanced education you’ll need to meet APRN standards
• How to earn national certification aligned with your population focus
• What’s required for state NP licensure—forms, fees, timelines, and continuing education
• Prescriptive authority requirements, opioid education, and license renewal tips

Let’s get started on your journey to becoming a licensed nurse practitioner in New Hampshire—one of the best-supported and most opportunity-rich states for advanced practice nursing in the Northeast.

Obtain a Registered Nurse (RN) License in New Hampshire

Before you can practice as a nurse practitioner in New Hampshire, you must first hold a valid Registered Nurse (RN) license. The state offers two main pathways to licensure: by examination (for new graduates) and by endorsement (for already licensed RNs moving from another state).

New Hampshire is a proud member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which means if you already hold an active multistate RN license from another compact state and are not moving to New Hampshire permanently, you may practice without reapplying. However, if you intend to move your primary residence to New Hampshire, you’ll need to apply for a new RN license through the state’s Board of Nursing.

RN Licensure by Examination (First-Time Applicants)

This route is for those who have never held an RN license in the U.S. You must complete a nursing education program and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Here’s what’s required:

• Graduate from an approved nursing program. At a minimum, this must be an associate degree, but a bachelor’s degree is strongly recommended if you plan to become a nurse practitioner.
• Submit official transcripts showing your degree and date of graduation. These must be emailed directly from your school or mailed to:
  
  
  New Hampshire Board of Nursing
  7 Eagle Square
  Concord, NH 03301
• If your education was completed outside New Hampshire, complete the Comparable Education Verification Form.
• International graduates must obtain a CGFNS credential evaluation and demonstrate English proficiency.
• Register for the NCLEX-RN exam through Pearson VUE for $200. Only do this after submitting your application to the Board.
• Complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check (CBC) through the NH State Police and FBI.
• Include a copy of your photo ID (state driver’s license or equivalent).
• Complete and sign the Declaration of Primary State of Residence form, included with the online application.

Fees: The application costs $148. A temporary permit may be issued for an additional $20 while awaiting your NCLEX results.

You can apply and upload documents through the OPLC licensing portal. Paper applications are not accepted.

Check your application status and get updates on your license through the New Hampshire Board of Nursing.

RN Licensure by Endorsement (Already Licensed RNs)

If you already hold an RN license in another U.S. state or territory, this is your path.

• Submit proof that you passed the NCLEX-RN or equivalent exam when initially licensed.
• Verify your license through the Nursys verification system for a $30 fee.
• If your state does not participate in Nursys, request official license verification directly from your state board.
• Foreign-trained nurses must provide a CGFNS report to assess educational equivalency.
• Complete the same criminal background check and submit a photo ID and declaration of residence.
• Applications must be completed online. Paper submissions are not accepted.

Endorsement fee: $148. Documents such as transcripts or declarations can be uploaded directly through your portal account.

Once all documents are reviewed and approved, your New Hampshire RN license will be issued—bringing you one step closer to becoming a nurse practitioner in the Granite State.

Complete an Advanced Nurse Practitioner Education Program

To become a licensed nurse practitioner (APRN-NP) in New Hampshire, you must complete a graduate-level nursing program that prepares you for advanced clinical practice in a defined population focus. This is a foundational requirement for both national certification and state licensure.

Your degree must be at the master’s level or higher—such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). The program must be accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE), such as:

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

The curriculum must prepare you to practice within a designated population focus—such as family, adult-gerontology, pediatrics, psychiatric-mental health, or women’s health. In New Hampshire, the program must also include the following minimum components:

• 228 hours of advanced theory coursework in areas such as pharmacology, pathophysiology, and health assessment
• 48 hours of supervised clinical practice aligned with your chosen specialty and population focus

Programs that include more than these minimums—especially those with over 500 clinical hours—will better prepare you for certification exams and employment in competitive markets such as Manchester, Nashua, or underserved rural areas.

If more than two years have passed since you completed your nurse practitioner education, the New Hampshire Board of Nursing may require proof of at least 30 contact hours of continuing education in your role and specialty. These must include:

• At least 5 hours of pharmacology
• At least 3 of those 5 hours in opioid prescribing, substance use disorder, or pain management

Tip: Choose a nurse practitioner program that aligns with the national certification agency you plan to pursue. Many agencies only accept candidates who complete programs they endorse. This alignment will streamline your next step—national certification—and ensure you meet all state licensure requirements.

Once your advanced education is complete and verified, you’re ready to take the next step: national certification.

Earn National Certification in Your Population Focus

National certification is the bridge between your advanced education and state licensure. In New Hampshire, it is mandatory for all nurse practitioner (NP) candidates to obtain certification from a national certifying body recognized by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing. This certification verifies that you meet the professional standards to provide advanced clinical care in your chosen role and population focus.

Why it matters: Without national certification, you cannot legally apply for an APRN-NP license in New Hampshire. The certifying body will evaluate your academic coursework, clinical training, and ultimately assess your readiness through a national board exam.

Approved Certification Agencies for New Hampshire

The Board recognizes several organizations that certify nurse practitioners based on specific specialties and patient populations. Below are some of the most commonly used certifying bodies:

• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
• American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
• Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)
• National Certification Corporation (NCC)
• American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)

Tips for Choosing the Right Certifying Body

• Match your program focus: Your certification must align with the specialty and population focus you studied—such as family, adult-gerontology, neonatal, pediatric, psychiatric-mental health, or women’s health.
• Verify board recognition: Ensure the certifying body is recognized by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing. Most national agencies also list the states where their certifications are valid.
• Prepare for the exam: Certification exams are rigorous. Start preparing early using test outlines, practice questions, and continuing education resources offered by the certifying body.

Once you’ve passed the exam, your certification will be valid for licensure in New Hampshire. The certifying agency will issue you a certification card or letter, which you will submit with your APRN application.

Note: If your nurse practitioner education was completed more than two years prior to applying for certification or licensure, you may need to provide continuing education credits as evidence of maintained competence.

Next, you’re ready to apply for your advanced practice license with the New Hampshire Board of Nursing.

Step 4: Apply for Your Nurse Practitioner (APRN-NP) License in New Hampshire

After earning your RN license, completing a graduate-level NP program, and obtaining national certification, your final step is to apply for licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse – Nurse Practitioner (APRN-NP) in New Hampshire. This license is required to practice independently and perform advanced clinical duties under state law.

Why this step matters: New Hampshire law mandates a separate license to practice as an APRN-NP. Even with certification and education, you are not authorized to work in an advanced practice capacity until the state officially grants this license.

Submit Your Application Online

• Apply for your APRN license through the state’s online portal.
• The application fee is $100. All fees are non-refundable.
• You may apply with one license, even if you hold multiple certifications in different specialties. New Hampshire issues only one APRN license regardless of the number of national certifications you hold.

Required Documentation

To complete your application, you must provide the following materials:

• Official transcripts sent directly from your graduate NP program to the Board. These must indicate your degree and graduation date.
• Proof of national certification in your specialty area, such as a copy of your certification card or verification letter.
• Valid RN license to practice in New Hampshire. This can be a single-state license or a multi-state license issued through the Nursys verification system.
• Photo ID, such as a state-issued driver’s license.
• Background check confirmation. If already completed for RN licensure, this does not need to be repeated.

Additional Requirements for Delayed Applicants

If more than two years have passed since you completed your NP program:

• You must submit proof of completing 30 contact hours of continuing education.
• At least 5 hours must be in pharmacology, and 3 hours must focus on opioid prescribing, pain management, or substance use disorders.

Once all materials are received and verified, the New Hampshire Board of Nursing will issue your APRN-NP license, granting you full authority to practice in your role throughout the state.

Pro Tip: Be sure to read all instructions carefully and submit only complete applications. Incomplete or incorrect submissions can delay licensure.

Secure Prescriptive Authority and Controlled Substance Registration

Once licensed as an APRN-NP in New Hampshire, you may prescribe medications, including controlled substances—but only after obtaining the appropriate authorizations. The state requires additional steps to ensure public safety and regulatory compliance.

New Hampshire Prescriptive Authority Requirements

• Prescriptive authority is granted as part of your APRN-NP license, provided your NP program included advanced pharmacology education.
• However, to prescribe Schedule II–IV controlled substances, you must register separately with both the state and federal government.

Step 1: Register with the New Hampshire Controlled Drug Prescription Health and Safety Program (PMP)

• The state’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) requires registration from all prescribers of controlled substances.
• Registration must be completed before applying for a federal DEA number.
• You must renew this registration every two years, typically in alignment with your license renewal.

Step 2: Apply for a DEA Number

• Apply through the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to obtain your federal DEA number.
• The application fee is currently $888 for a three-year registration (subject to change).
• You must already be licensed as an APRN-NP in New Hampshire and have completed your state PDMP registration.

Continuing Education Requirements

APRNs authorized to prescribe controlled substances must complete ongoing training:

• 3 contact hours every renewal cycle focused on opioid prescribing, pain management, or substance use disorder.
• These hours can count toward the 5-hour pharmacology requirement for delayed licensure (if applicable).

Pro Tip: Begin your PMP registration immediately after licensure so your DEA application isn’t delayed. Many employers require both authorizations before onboarding new NPs.

Maintain and Renew Your New Hampshire Nurse Practitioner License

Once you’ve earned your nurse practitioner (NP) license in New Hampshire, maintaining it isn’t just a legal necessity—it’s also a commitment to staying clinically sharp, compliant, and ready to meet the state’s evolving healthcare needs.

New Hampshire APRN licenses are issued on a biennial basis and expire on the last day of your birth month in even-numbered years. The renewal process is overseen by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing.

Renewal Requirements for NPs

• Active RN License: You must maintain a current and valid New Hampshire RN license (or an NLC multistate license with New Hampshire as your primary state of residence).
• Continuing Education (CE): If you completed your NP program more than two years before your renewal date, you must complete at least 30 contact hours of CE every two years. This must include:
  • 5 contact hours in pharmacology
  • 3 of those 5 hours must cover opioid prescribing, pain management, or substance use disorder
• National Certification: You must maintain your national certification through an approved certifying body (e.g., ANCC, AANP, PNCB). Most agencies require CE and practice hours for recertification.
• Renewal Fee: The current renewal fee for APRNs is $100, submitted via your online OPLC licensing portal.

Tips to Stay Compliant

• Track CE activities throughout the renewal cycle: This reduces the risk of scrambling for documentation at renewal time.
• Retain proof of CE completion: The Board does not require CE certificates at the time of renewal but may request them during a random audit.
• Stay up to date on DEA registration and PDMP use: Prescriptive authority must be maintained in tandem with your NP license, and lapsed registrations can delay patient care.

Important: Failing to renew on time may result in license expiration and the inability to legally practice as a nurse practitioner in New Hampshire. There is a short grace period for renewal with a late fee, but practicing without a valid license can result in disciplinary action.

With proper planning, CE tracking, and attention to renewal deadlines, you can continue practicing at the top of your scope—and serving communities across New Hampshire—without interruption.