Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Requirements in North Dakota

North Dakota licenses APRNs through the North Dakota Board of Nursing in four recognized roles: Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife, and Clinical Nurse Specialist. Licensure requires RN licensure, a qualifying graduate program, national certification, and a completed NDBON application. North Dakota is generally classified as a full practice authority state, meaning NPs may practice without a physician collaborative agreement.

The North Dakota Board of Nursing (NDBON) issues APRN licenses that identify both a role and, for nurse practitioners, a population focus. Those two elements together define the scope of practice. Full licensure requires completing an accredited graduate program and earning national certification in your role and population focus. A temporary permit may be available while you await exam results, though it does not include prescriptive authority.

North Dakota is generally classified as a full practice authority state. Nurse practitioners can practice without a collaborative agreement with a physician, but prescribing requires meeting NDBON’s separate prescriptive authority requirements and complying with applicable DEA and scope-of-practice rules.

Use the links below to jump to licensure requirements, education standards, certification options, and the application process for North Dakota APRNs.

• RN licensure and compact status
• Education and program requirements
• National certification in the APRN role
• Prescriptive authority requirements
• Applying for APRN licensure
• Continuing education and renewal
• Board contacts and professional associations

RN Licensure Requirement

APRNs must satisfy North Dakota’s RN licensure requirement before the NDBON can process an APRN application. That means holding either an active, unencumbered North Dakota RN license or an active, unencumbered multistate RN license issued from your home state under the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).

Nurses who don’t hold a qualifying NLC multistate license must apply for North Dakota RN licensure by endorsement. Concurrent processing of RN endorsement and APRN licensure may be available, but applicants should verify current sequencing and portal instructions directly with the NDBON before submitting. Details are on the NDBON APRN licensure page.

North Dakota has taken action on APRN Compact legislation. As of this writing, multistate APRN practice through the APRN Compact is not yet available. Contact the NDBON for the current status before relying on multistate APRN practice privileges.

Educational Requirements

A prospective APRN must complete an advanced practice nursing program appropriate to the APRN role and population focus sought. The program must meet NDBON’s current education standards, including accreditation requirements. North Dakota has in-state APRN program options; students should verify current program availability, accreditation, delivery format, and role coverage directly with each school and the Board. You can also browse nurse practitioner programs in North Dakota.

Graduate programs must include core advanced practice coursework addressing pharmacology, pathophysiology, and physical assessment. Specific supervised clinical hour requirements and pharmacology education lookback periods should be verified against current NDBON and certifying body standards before applying.

An APRN already licensed in another state who doesn’t meet current educational requirements may still qualify for North Dakota licensure if the requirements were lower when they first earned their credential. These grandfathering provisions are governed by the North Dakota Nurse Practice Act and subject to NDBON review.

Certification by APRN Role

National certification is required for full APRN licensure. The certifying body and exam depend on your role and, for nurse practitioners, your population focus. Accepted certifying agencies and exams can change. Verify the current NDBON-approved list for your specific role and population focus before applying.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) apply to the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).

Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) apply to the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).

Nurse Practitioners must certify with an agency approved for their specific population focus. The table below reflects the certifying agencies recognized for each NP specialization. Confirm current approval status with the NDBON before applying.

Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) may certify through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), depending on specialization. Specialty and legacy certifications, including those from the Pediatric Nurse Certification Board, should be verified directly with the NDBON to confirm current acceptance status.

Some older certifications have been retired, and new ones have been introduced under the APRN Consensus Model. The NDBON may accept certain older credentials from recognized certifying agencies. Confirm all certification options with the Board before applying.

A temporary APRN permit may be available after Board review for candidates awaiting exam results. The permit is nonrenewable, limited to 90 days, and does not include prescriptive authority. It is voided immediately if a candidate fails an exam attempt. Verify current eligibility requirements with the NDBON before practicing under a temporary permit.

Additional Requirements for Prescriptive Authority

APRNs seeking prescriptive authority must meet NDBON’s current requirements, which include graduate-level coursework in pathophysiology, physical assessment, and advanced pharmacology. The Board currently requires 30 contact hours of pharmacotherapy education, or the equivalent, related to the applicant’s scope of advanced practice and obtained within an applicable recent timeframe. New graduates may be able to apply their program coursework toward this requirement; verify current rules with the NDBON.

APRNs who intend to prescribe controlled substances (Schedules II through V) must also register with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and comply with applicable Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) requirements. DEA registration is handled separately from the NDBON application. An additional fee applies for prescriptive authority; verify the current amount with the NDBON before applying.

The Application Process

APRN applications are submitted through the NDBON’s Nurse Portal. Paper applications mailed to the Board are no longer accepted unless the NDBON specifically instructs otherwise. Check the NDBON APRN licensure page for current portal instructions before you begin.

Applicants must complete NDBON’s current criminal history record check requirements. This typically involves state and federal background checks with fingerprinting through an approved process, unless a qualifying check is already on file within the Board’s accepted timeframe. Follow current NDBON instructions for fingerprinting method, required forms, and submission process.

Required documentation generally includes proof of RN licensure, primary source verification of certification status, and official transcripts submitted directly by the issuing institution. New graduates can arrange to have exam results and transcripts sent directly to the Board. An educational verification form for new graduates is typically included in the application materials.

Fees for APRN licensure, prescriptive authority, and criminal history record checks are set by the NDBON and subject to change. Verify the current fee schedule at ndbon.org before submitting your application.

Continuing Education Requirements

APRNs with prescriptive authority must complete 15 contact hours of pharmacotherapy CE related to their scope of practice during each two-year renewal cycle. The NDBON currently allows these hours to satisfy the CE requirement for RN license renewal, so separate hours for each credential aren’t required. Verify current renewal rules before submitting to confirm this dual-credit option is still in effect. The NDBON APRN FAQ covers renewal requirements in detail.

CE requirements for APRNs without prescriptive authority differ; verify your specific renewal requirements with the NDBON. Licensees should also confirm whether NDBON currently requires documentation of APRN practice hours for renewal or reactivation, particularly if they have limited recent practice.

Both the RN and APRN licenses generally renew every two years through the NDBON’s Nurse Portal. Verify your specific expiration date and renewal requirements in the portal.

Board Contacts and Additional Information

APRN licensing information is available directly from the North Dakota Board of Nursing.

• Phone: 701-328-9777
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: ndbon.org

North Dakota has professional associations for advanced practice nurses. Verify current organization names, websites, and membership information before contacting.

• North Dakota Nurse Practitioner Association (NDNPA)
• North Dakota Association of Nurse Anesthetists (NDANA)

Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does North Dakota require a collaborative practice agreement for NPs?

North Dakota is generally classified as a full practice authority state. Nurse practitioners can practice without a collaborative agreement with a physician. Prescribing requires meeting NDBON’s prescriptive authority requirements and complying with applicable DEA and PDMP rules. Verify current scope-of-practice requirements with the NDBON.

Can I apply for RN licensure by endorsement and APRN licensure at the same time in North Dakota?

Concurrent processing of RN endorsement and APRN licensure may be available for nurses who don’t already hold a qualifying NLC multistate license. Verify that the current sequencing and Nurse Portal instructions match the NDBON before submitting your application.

How long is a temporary APRN permit valid?

The NDBON currently describes the temporary APRN permit as a nonrenewable permit valid for up to 90 days, subject to Board review and approval. It does not include prescriptive authority. The permit is voided immediately if the candidate fails an exam attempt.

What are the renewal requirements for North Dakota APRNs?

APRNs with prescriptive authority must complete 15 contact hours of pharmacotherapy CE each renewal cycle, which currently counts toward RN renewal CE as well. Renewal requirements for APRNs without prescriptive authority differ. Verify your specific requirements and confirm any practice-hour documentation requirements with the NDBON before renewing.

Is North Dakota part of the APRN Compact?

North Dakota has taken action on APRN Compact legislation and is associated with early adoption efforts. Multistate APRN practice through the APRN Compact is not currently available. Contact the NDBON for the current implementation status before relying on any multistate APRN practice privileges.

Key Takeaways

• Four APRN roles recognized — The NDBON licenses Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Clinical Nurse Specialists. Each license reflects a role and, for NPs, a population focus.
• Full practice authority — North Dakota is generally classified as a full practice authority state. NPs may practice without a physician collaborative agreement, subject to applicable NDBON scope rules.
• Graduate education and national certification required — Programs must meet NDBON standards. Certification requirements depend on role and population focus. Verify accepted certifying agencies before applying.
• Prescriptive authority is a separate step — Meeting CE, DEA, and PDMP requirements applies in addition to the base APRN license application.
• Apply through the Nurse Portal — Paper applications are no longer accepted. Fees, CE requirements, and renewal rules should be verified at ndbon.org before submitting.