New York Nurse Practitioner Licensure Steps - 2022
AKA: NP License in NY, APRN Licensure
What's Here? - Table of Contents
With the ability to independently diagnose, treat and prescribe, licensed nurse practitioners in New York are given autonomy and high salaries to boot. As an added benefit, New York nurse practitioners can also enjoy the satisfaction of knowing they are helping their patients health and reduce the costs of healthcare in the state.
However, the New York State Department of Education (NYSDE) acts as the gatekeeper to the nurse practitioner profession (in addition to many other professions) in the form of professional licensing. Licensing, while initially appearing to be a nuisance, helps to ensure only knowledgeable and of high moral character individuals are able to call themselves nurse practitioners. This helps to maintain the status of the profession and the health and safety of the public.
Follow below to learn how to become a nurse practitioner (NP) in New York.
Already have your RN License?Skip to the next section
Getting an RN license is the first step towards becoming a nurse practitioner. A registered professional nurse collaborates with other health professionals to form the engine room of basic healthcare.
To acquire an RN license in the state of New York, there are certain standards you must meet.
It is against the law for the NYSED to issue a license to someone underage. Therefore, you need to be eighteen years old or older to qualify for an RN license.
New York RNs require a level of moral soundness to qualify for the license. RNs need to be ethical and make good judgments. The NYSED expects that the public can trust you to make the right decisions and uphold the dignity of the profession.
To be eligible for an RN license concerning good conduct, you must have a clean criminal record. Additionally, you should not have previously had a license revoked or refused by any legally authorized licensing body. In addition, there should be no pending litigation against you in a matter that borders on professional malpractice in any court. Lastly, you should not have previously been disengaged by a recognized hospital or medical facility either as a trainee or employee.
However, if you fall short of any of these conditions, you still have a chance of getting a license. The NYSED is responsible for taking a second look at such situations to examine different circumstances.
You should have completed a recognized nursing education program. This nursing education program is a general professional nursing course that could be a diploma, an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree. Take care to confirm that the NYSED accredits the program of your choice. You can check here to verify if a course is an NYSED approved RN program.
If you have completed a general nursing program outside of the United States, you may not need to register for one in the United States. The NYSED accepts certificates of equivalent nursing programs from other countries. However, these programs must be vetted and approved by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS).
The NYSED also accepts equivalent nursing programs from other states.
Complete infection control and child abuse reporting coursework or training. This coursework must be NYSED approved. Check here for NYSED recognized child abuse reporting training programs and here for approved infection control training programs in New York.
Pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) or any equivalent examination accepted by the NYSED. This examination was instituted by the National Council of States Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and managed by Pearson VUE. However, suppose you have passed the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE) or the NCLEX-RN on your way to becoming an RN in Canada, another state, or another United States territory. In that case, you don’t need to take another one. To apply and register for the NCLEX-RN, apply for RN licensure and pay the $143 fee to the NYSED. Then register for the exam with Pearson VUE or place a call through 1-866-496-2539.
Apply for the NYSED RN license.
Fill out the RN application form accurately and submit it along with the $143 licensing fee and $35 for the limited permit if applicable. This form is for first registration and not for renewal. Ensure that you attach a copy of your high school diploma if you apply as a licensed practical nurse and graduate from an unapproved New York state nursing program.
Contact the nursing school where you took the NCLEX-RN to submit the form applicable to your situation. Lastly, register through the Nursys verification process and pay a verification fee to track your license status including receiving e-notifications.
To become an NP, you should complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, a postgraduate or doctorate in a program respected by the NYSED.
Here you can find all schools offering nursing programs in New York.
Your nursing program should also include NYSED accepted pharmacology coursework (3 semesters hours or more). This NP certifying educational program must involve courses in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, or pharmacotherapeutics which are recognized by the NYSED.
Attaining national certification is an important step in your quest for an NP license. There are a number of certification courses available nationwide. However, not all of them will apply to your preferred area of practice. Therefore, it is important that you apply for the program that matches your area of specialization. These are the national certifying bodies approved by the NYSED.
To get licensed as a nurse practitioner, visit the NYSED website and fill out the NP application form for your area of interest. Submit the form with a fee of $85, which you can pay through Visa, Master Card, or American Express. You are required to provide a Social Security Number and application ID, details of professional experience, NP certifications, education history, contact information, and Date of Birth.