New York Nurse Practitioner Licensure Steps - 2024

Nurse Practitioner Licensure Requirements in New York

Follow below to learn how to become a nurse practitioner (NP) in New York.

Initial RN License

Already have your RN License?  Skip to the next section

Getting an RN license is the first step toward 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 New York, there are certain standards all applicants must meet, regardless of the route taken to apply.

Be of Age

It is against the law for the New York State Education Department (NYSED) to issue a license to someone underage. Therefore, you need to be eighteen years old or older to qualify for an RN license.

Be of Sound Character

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 the public to trust you to make the right decisions and uphold the dignity of the profession.

To be eligible for an RN license a clean criminal record is needed. 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.

Earn Necessary Education

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. Being that you are looking to become an NP, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in nursing. 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.

Additional Coursework

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.

RN by Examination

If you have never been a licensed RN in any state, this is the correct licensure route after graduation. Start by filling out the application online or download it and mail it in.

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 is managed by Pearson VUE.

The testing fee is $200, and the school will have to submit verification that the program was completed. You can also register over the phone by calling (866) 496-2539.

While waiting to take the exam, new graduates can apply for a limited permit to begin working. The fee is $35, and it is good for one year. But if you fail the exam, the permit expires ten days after being notified of the non-passing score.

The Board will issue a license once all requirements are met. You can verify whether you are licensed by checking the Board’s website.

RN by Endorsement

For those licensed as an RN in another state, licensure by endorsement is the correct route. The

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.

Simply submit your application with the $143 fee, a Certification of Professional Education, and Verification of Other Professional Licensure/Certification. You can also check the Nursys list or call them at (866) 819-1700 to find out if the state you are licensed in participates in the program. If so, they can directly send the Board your information.

Once the Board verifies that you meet the additional coursework and other requirements, a license will be issued.

RN Application

Apply for the NYSED RN license. Both licensure routes require you to fill out the same form. The Affidavit on the form has to be signed, dated, and notarized.

Fill out the RN application form accurately and submit it along with the $143 licensing fee and $35 for the limited permit if applicable. You can also apply online. The form is only for initial registration. Ensure 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 for the Nursys verification process and pay a $30 verification fee to track your license status and receive e-notifications.

NPs have prescription privileges and can prescribe medication electronically. After completing the necessary pharmacology courses and receiving certification from NYSED to prescribe, additional government approvals are required. You can find extensive instructions and more information on the Department of Health website. 

Advanced Educational Requirement

To become an NP, you will need to complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, a postgraduate or doctorate in a program approved by the NYSED.

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.

National Certification

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.

• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
• Pediatric Nurse Certification Board (PNCB)
• American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
• National Certification Corporation (NCC)
• Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC)
• National Board of Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses (NBCHPN)

Getting Licensed to Practice as a Nurse Practitioner in New York

To become 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.