Indiana Nurse Practitioner Licensure Steps - 2024

Nurse Practitioner Licensure Requirements in Indiana

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

Initial Registered Nurse (RN) License

Already have your RN License?  Skip to the next section

Obtaining an RN license is the first step toward becoming an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) or Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Indiana. Prospective NPs are required to hold a valid single-state RN license in Indiana or a multistate RN license from a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state. The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) issues licenses to qualified applicants who apply through one of two major licensing routes: RN by Examination and RN by Endorsement.

RN by Examination

Recent graduates of Board-approved nursing programs from qualified institutions can apply for licensure via this route. It is expected that those who apply through this route have never been licensed as RNs in any state or jurisdiction in the US.

Requirements:

• The minimum academic requirement for a prospective RN is a bachelor’s degree. Applications can be completed online or sent via paper.
• The application fee of $50 should be paid using a valid credit or debit card for online applications. For paper applications, checks or money orders payable to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency must be included.
• The application can be augmented to an NLC license application for $25, provided that the applicant meets all the requirements.
• All applicants are required to request that a copy of their official transcripts, signed by the Dean or Director of the nursing program, be sent to the Board. The transcript must contain your date of graduation and the type of degree obtained. A high school diploma or GED score must also be included.
• Supporting documents and paper applications are to be mailed to the board office:

• Foreign-trained nurses are to have their credentials evaluated by the CGFNS, and a report of this examination is sent to the Board. The result of this evaluation should show that the education received is comparable to what is obtainable in the United States.
• All applicants via this route must take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Registration is completed online for $200. Applicants are encouraged to register for the exam and apply for their license at the same time. That is because you will only receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) once the Board notifies the examiners that you are eligible for the examination.
• If you’ve held a health-related license in any other state, the Board needs verification from that jurisdiction. You can find the information on the Nursys website if the state is a participant in the program. If you can’t find it here, contact the Board to have a Verification of State Licensure form sent to the jurisdiction. Check with your state of origin to find out if they charge a fee for this service, as it varies.

After the application is submitted, a criminal background check (CBC) must be conducted. Applicants are sent an email from the Board with instructions on how to complete the check.

It takes about 2-4 weeks for the application to be processed. Once the information is reviewed and it’s determined that all requirements have been fulfilled, you will be issued a license. Check the status of your application online or call (317) 234-2043.

RN by Endorsement

Applicants applying for licensure by endorsement must have an active license in one or more US states or territories.

• It is expected that people who apply via this route have completed an accredited nursing program and passed the NCLEX-RN or any other equivalent licensing examinations for nurses in their state.
• Holders of multistate RN licenses are only required to apply for an RN license in Indiana when they seek to change their primary state of residence.
• You must submit a completed application form and pay the prescribed fee, which is $50, with an additional $25 if you want to get an NLC license. Also, note that you are required to submit a copy of your high school transcript showing that you graduated.
• You must provide proof of a valid and unencumbered license in another state in the US. This can be done by requesting verification of your license from the appropriate Board of nursing using the Nursys platform. If the state you are licensed in does not report to Nursys, consider contacting them directly and requesting that verification be sent to the Board of nursing in Indiana.
• Foreign-educated applicants must have their credentials evaluated as stated under “RN by Examination.” Applications via this route can also be made online or by paper.
• CBCs are conducted for all applicants and done digitally. If you opt for the paper application, you will receive a notification to commence your fingerprint capture process after your application has been received by the Board. Therefore, be sure you provide the correct email address. For online applications, you can commence the fingerprinting process once the receipt screen appears after submitting your application.

Temporary permits may be issued if you have a license in another state or territory of the US, have applied for licensure by endorsement, and sent in documentation proving you are licensed. The permit is only valid for 90 days or sooner if the Board denies licensure.

The permit can be renewed for an additional 90 days if the Board determines it’s necessary. This usually happens when the application process takes longer than expected.

Advanced Education Requirements

In Indiana, you are required to either obtain a master’s degree (MSN) or higher in nursing or add a national certification to your bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Note that some employers are specific about the education of their employees and will only hire you if your nursing program is accredited by CNEA or CCNE. If you choose the graduate degree option, you should go for a program that is accredited by an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Some of the course requirements include, but aren’t limited to:

• Biological science
• Behavioral science
• Medical science
• Nursing science
• Patient assessment
• Evaluating patient outcomes
• State and federal confidentiality laws and regulations

Take time to ensure that any program you take concerning your journey to becoming an NP equips you with the relevant analytical, critical thinking, research, ethical, and clinical skills to practice as an NP in your chosen field.

National Certification

This is only compulsory if you received a bachelor’s degree on completion of your nurse practitioner preparatory program. Certain national certifying agencies are responsible for certifying individuals who demonstrate the requisite knowledge and skills to serve in the capacity of an NP.

You will need to contact the agency that applies to your chosen specialty area and population focus. You must satisfy all the educational and additional requirements to hold and maintain such a certification which may include getting a graduate degree or doing a significant number of hours of coursework beyond the scope of a bachelor’s.

The Board does not specify which agencies are recognized for certified nurse practitioners to practice in Indiana. Unlike other states, Indiana doesn’t require NPs to hold certification, although many get the endorsement so they can practice in other states and gain prescriptive privilege.

Getting Licensed to Practice as a Nurse Practitioner in Indiana

There is no designated NP license in Indiana. What you can obtain, however, is the prescriptive authority in your name. Therefore, getting national certification or a graduate degree in a nurse practitioner preparatory program allows you to practice as an NP with restrictions. The application for prescriptive authority is made by paper. All applicants are required to mail a completed copy of the application, as well as other requested documents. The application must be sent with a non-refundable fee of $50.

To qualify, you must hold a valid and unencumbered RN license to practice in Indiana or a multistate license from an NLC state. Verification of such a license must be sent to Indiana’s Nursing Board from your Board (if you hold an NLC license from another state). The process can be done using the Nursys platform as explained under “RN by Endorsement.”

If you hold a graduate degree, you must request that your institution send a transcript containing your date of graduation and the degree awarded to the Board. If you only have a bachelor’s degree, you must hold national certification for an NP role. Verification of this must be sent to the Board by your certifying agency, indicating that you are certified and that such certification is still valid.

You must also submit proof of having completed a graduate-level pharmacology course with at least two semester hours from an institution that is accredited by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation within the preceding five years from the date of application or proof of completing at least 30 contact hours of continuing education in the last two years (including at least 8 hours of pharmacology) and proof of prescriptive experience within the last five years.