License requirements by state
What each board asks for at initial licensure and at renewal, step by step, for RN, APRN and prescribing credentials.
Informational guidance only. Confirm current requirements with the appropriate licensing authority before applying, renewing or practicing. Read the disclaimer
Pennsylvania: APRN, initial licensure
Prepare the state-specific education, certification, application and practice documents below. Separate prescribing approvals appear under Prescriptive Authority and State Rx / CS.
Initial child-abuse training
3 hoursComplete three hours of approved child-abuse recognition and reporting training.
- Timing
- Before initial licensure or certification
- Conditions
- Electronic provider reporting or an approved exemption is required.
NP application checklist
Hold current unrestricted RN authority and qualifying NP graduate preparation. Arrange specialty and national-certification evidence for the initial or endorsement route. Complete 3 hours of approved child-abuse recognition/reporting training. Prescriptive authority and the collaborative agreement are separate requirements.
- Timing
- Before initial state authorization
- Conditions
- Standard NP application. Additional documents apply to international education, reentry, discipline, name changes and other nonstandard routes.
NP practice and prescribing
CRNPs provide advanced care within their certified specialty and physician collaboration framework. Board-approved prescribing requires a prescriptive-authority collaborative agreement.
- Timing
- During practice
- Conditions
- The collaborating physician must hold a current Pennsylvania license. Authorized drugs and therapeutic measures must fit the CRNP’s specialty and agreement.
Coverage and conditions
- Use the checklist for the standard NP route. International education, reentry, military pathways, older educational exceptions and disciplinary history can require additional board documents. Submit the board’s current application; this site does not submit it for you.
Maintained by The Multistate NP from board sources and updated on review. Confirm against the board’s current application before you file. National certification and federal DEA requirements are separate.