New Jersey Nurse Practitioner Licensure Steps - 2022
AKA: New Jersey APN-NP License, APN Licensure
What's Here? - Table of Contents
Follow below to learn how to become a nurse practitioner (NP) in New Jersey.
Already have your RN License?Skip to the next section
Nurse practitioners are required to hold unencumbered RN licenses to practice in New Jersey at the time they are applying for an advanced practice nurse – nurse practitioner (APN-NP) license to practice in New Jersey.
As New Jersey is a member of the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), those who hold operational multi-state RN licenses from NLC member states also fulfill this requirement and do not need to apply for an RN license in New Jersey unless they are changing their permanent residency. The NLC allows nurses to offer physical/virtual services in member states without having to apply for a license in every one of those states.
The RN application forms for the two major routes of application (Examination and Endorsement) have been compressed into one “Candidate” application form.
However, the requirements for either route are the same as before. The application process can be completed online for a fee of $120.
If you have never been licensed to practice as an RN in the US before, you are required to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) which one can register for at PearsonVue for $200.
Registration for the test should come after one has submitted their application to the board as this gives the board time to communicate with the test organizers regarding your eligibility to test. Following that communication, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) if you are eligible. Applicants have to pass the exam within three attempts; after which they must submit proof of having completed a 30-hour board-accredited remediation course. The re-examination application can be accessed here.
If you have been licensed in the US and have passed the NCLEX-RN or any equivalent entry-level exam, you will be required to provide proof of such licensure. A photocopy of your valid RN license is not acceptable. You are to request verification of licensure using the Nursys platform for $30, if your board report to Nursys. If not, you should contact the board for the verification process.
The application process is the submission of a completed form, payment of prescribed fees, and the submission of supporting documents. Other supporting documents that could be requested include:
If you meet the requirements for the issuance of a multi-state RN license and have permanent residency in New Jersey, you will be issued a multi-state license. However, if you do not, you will receive a single state license.
All applicants are required to provide correct information and true documents and evidence to support the information provided. The discovery of any falsehood in an application might lead to the revocation of your license if discovered in the future. Prospective nurse practitioners are to have at least a bachelor’s degree from a basic nursing program.
Finally, note that all fees paid during the application process are non-refundable.
This is a core requirement for getting licensed as an APN-NP in New Jersey. You are expected to have obtained at least a master’s degree through a nurse practitioner program that prepares participants to take up a nurse practitioner role serving a specific population focus.
The program must have been accredited by an agency recognized for accrediting nursing programs by the USDE. An ideal program will include clinical hours in the coursework to help students accumulate useful APN experience to their credit. Normally, you should provide proof of having completed the program within the immediate past two years to your date of application.
Here you can sort and filter all schools offering nurse practitioner degree programs in New Jersey.
For prescriptive authority, you are required to have completed 39 contact hours of pharmacology including 6 hours of pharmacology related to controlled substances. It is expected that you would have been exposed to topics such as pharmacologic therapy, and addiction prevention/management. This should have been overseen by an educational institution licensed by the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education (or an equivalent out-of-state agency) or an organization approved by a certifying agency accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.
This may be viewed as an end goal to APN education as it is the step that evaluates the quality of your education. Once a prospective APN has completed their advanced education program, they are subjected to an examination organized by a national certifying body to obtain national certification.
Certifying agencies are specific in the roles and population foci that they offer certification for. Hence, prospective APN-NPs must only contact such agencies as are accredited to certify professionals in their desired area of practice.
Only certifications issued by certifying agencies that hold accreditation through the National Commission for Certifying Agencies and the American Board of Nursing Specialties are acceptable. Here are the certifying agencies recognized by the board for the certification of NPs:
It is illegal to practice as an APN in New Jersey without obtaining a license from the board of nursing.
The board receives applications for these licenses all year long for a fee of $100. You must request for the application here, if you fulfill all requirements. You will also be required to pay an additional certificate fee anywhere between $80 – $100.
As APRN-NPs are expected to have obtained advanced education, the board requires that an original copy of your transcript be sent to them from the institution where you had your program. The transcript must contain the date of graduation and the degree awarded. You are also required to provide proof of holding a valid national certification. This can be requested from your certifying agency.
All applicants must have an RN license to practice in New Jersey. This may either be a single state license or a multi-state license from any NLC member state. Such license must be verified. Most applicants can verify their licenses using Nursys. If your board of nursing does not report to Nursys, you must contact them for the verification procedure. Note that you do not need to verify your RN license if it was issued in New Jersey.
If you have been licensed as an APRN-NP in another state, you can apply for an APN license in New Jersey by Endorsement. Such licenses will also need to be verified.