CRNP and CNS Requirements in Pennsylvania 2026
Pennsylvania credentials advanced practice nurses in three recognized roles: nurse practitioner (CRNP), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), and nurse midwife. Each requires an active Pennsylvania RN license and graduate-level education. CRNPs and CNSs must also hold national certification in their specialty. The State Board of Nursing issues all CRNP and CNS credentials.
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Pennsylvania uses the title Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner rather than the more common APRN designation. If you hold an RN license and want to practice at the advanced level, you’ll apply to the State Board of Nursing for a second credential on top of your RN license. Nurse midwives follow a separate credentialing path through the State Board of Medicine.
Use the links below to jump to CRNP certification requirements, CNS requirements, the application process, nurse midwife information, and renewal details.
- CRNP Requirements
- CNS Requirements
- Application Process and Fees
- Nurse Midwife Requirements
- Renewal Requirements
- Board Contacts and Resources
CRNP Requirements
To become a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner in Pennsylvania, you need an active, unrestricted Pennsylvania RN license before the Board will open your application. That’s the baseline credential on which CRNP certification is built.
Education
You’ll need to complete a master’s or post-master’s nurse practitioner program. The program must be accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. Programs generally include at least 500 supervised clinical hours. If you plan to apply for prescriptive authority, build in a standalone 45-hour advanced pharmacology course. You’ll need to document it separately during that application.
National Certification
After completing your NP program, you’ll need national certification in your specialty from a Board-recognized certifying organization. Pennsylvania requires the certification to be consistent with your graduate education and specialty area. Keep documentation of your certification. The Board requires it as part of your application.
Out-of-state and international applicants applying by endorsement must meet the certification requirements that were in effect in Pennsylvania at the time they were initially licensed or certified in their other jurisdiction. If you were credentialed in another state without a designated specialty, the Board will determine your specialty based on your education.
Prescriptive Authority
Prescriptive authority isn’t automatic with CRNP certification in Pennsylvania. It requires a separate application and two additional requirements. First, you must document 45 hours of advanced pharmacology coursework completed within the five years before you apply. Second, you must have a collaborative agreement with a Pennsylvania-licensed physician. CRNPs with prescriptive authority can prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances in collaboration with their physician.
Pennsylvania also requires CRNPs to maintain professional liability insurance with limits of at least $1 million per occurrence and $3 million in annual aggregate, consistent with the MCARE Act.
CNS Requirements
Clinical nurse specialists in Pennsylvania complete a master’s, post-master’s, or doctoral program in their specialty. The program must be Board-approved or equivalent. The Board also accepts programs that were previously recognized for national certification purposes.
National Certification
CNSs are generally expected to hold national certification. The Board currently recognizes the following organizations:
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
- Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC)
- Orthopedic Nurses Certification Board (ONCB)
If your specialty doesn’t have a national certification exam, the Board will consider your qualifications individually. You’ll submit a curriculum vitae, work history, any certifications you hold, and three letters of recommendation. Out-of-state CNSs can be licensed in Pennsylvania if they are credentialed in another state under comparable requirements.
Pennsylvania doesn’t issue a separate credential for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). CRNAs in the state practice under the authority of their RN licenses. The Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists is the professional resource for the state’s CRNAs.
Application Process and Fees
Both CRNPs and CNSs apply online through the Pennsylvania Department of State. Some documents, including the educational verification form, must be printed and mailed. Child abuse training verification is submitted electronically by your approved training provider.
Fees
Current application fees set by the Board:
- CRNP application fee: $100
- CRNP certification fee: $100 for graduates of Pennsylvania Board-approved programs; $140 for graduates of out-of-state programs
- Prescriptive authority: $95 (separate application)
- CNS application fee: $100
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts with the State Board of Nursing before submitting your application. Mail CRNP applications to: Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing, P.O. Box 2649, CRNP Applications, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649.
Nurse Midwife Requirements
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are under the joint jurisdiction of the Board of Nursing and the Board of Medicine. You’ll receive your RN license from the Board of Nursing. Your nurse-midwife license comes from the Board of Medicine.
To qualify, you’ll complete a graduate program in your practice area and pass the certification exam offered by the American Midwifery Certification Board. You’ll also register a collaborative agreement and self-query the National Practitioner Data Bank. Applications go to the State Board of Medicine in Harrisburg. The application fee is $50.
To obtain prescriptive authority as a CNM, you must complete 45 hours of advanced pharmacology coursework, with at least 16 hours completed in the two years before your application. There’s a separate prescriptive authority application with a $30 fee. Nurse midwife licenses and prescriptive authority both renew biennially.
Renewal Requirements
CRNP and CNS certifications renew biennially, at the same time as your RN license. Renewal requires 30 hours of continuing education applicable to your specialty, including 2 hours of training in recognizing and reporting child abuse. If you hold prescriptive authority, at least 16 of your 30 CE hours must be completed in pharmacology.
If your CRNP or CNS certification is placed on inactive status, continuing education requirements are suspended during that period. Before reactivating, you’ll need proof that you’ve met the CE requirements. If your certification has been inactive for five or more years, you’ll also need to provide proof of current national certification in your specialty area.
Renewal fees are currently $81 for CRNP certification and $41 for prescriptive authority. Confirm current amounts with the Board before renewing.
Board Contacts and Resources
For CRNP and CNS certification, contact the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing at (717) 783-7142 or [email protected].
For nurse midwife licensure, contact the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine at (717) 783-1400 or [email protected].
State professional associations include:
- Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners: pacnp.org
- Pennsylvania Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives: midwivespa.org
- Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists: panaforqualitycare.com
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does CRNP stand for in Pennsylvania?
CRNP stands for Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner. Pennsylvania uses this credential title instead of APRN or NP—the State Board of Nursing issues CRNP certification as a second credential alongside your RN license.
Do Pennsylvania nurse practitioners have independent practice authority?
No. Pennsylvania requires CRNPs to practice in collaboration with a licensed physician. This applies to both clinical practice and prescriptive authority. CRNPs must maintain a collaborative agreement with a Pennsylvania-licensed physician to prescribe controlled substances.
What national certification is required for Pennsylvania CRNPs?
Pennsylvania requires certification from a Board-recognized national certifying organization that is consistent with your NP specialty and graduate education. The specific certifying body depends on your specialty. Confirm with the State Board of Nursing that your certifying organization is currently recognized before you sit for the exam.
Can I transfer my NP license from another state to Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania accepts CRNP endorsement applications from NPs licensed in other U.S. states, territories, or foreign countries. Endorsement applicants must meet the certification requirements that were in effect in Pennsylvania at the time of their initial licensure in the other jurisdiction, along with documentation of those requirements.
How often does a CRNP certification renew in Pennsylvania?
CRNP certification renews every two years, at the same time as your RN license. Renewal requires 30 hours of continuing education in your specialty, including 2 hours of child abuse recognition training. CRNPs with prescriptive authority must complete at least 16 of those 30 hours in pharmacology.
Key Takeaways
- Two credentials required — CRNPs and CNSs hold both an active Pennsylvania RN license and a Board-issued CRNP or CNS certification.
- National certification is mandatory — Certification must come from a Board-recognized organization and align with your graduate specialty and education.
- Prescriptive authority requires extra steps — A separate application, 45 hours of pharmacology coursework, and a physician collaborative agreement are all required before you can prescribe.
- Nurse midwives have separate oversight — CNM licenses are issued by the Board of Medicine, not the Board of Nursing, though an RN license from the Board of Nursing is still required.
- CRNAs aren’t separately licensed — Pennsylvania CRNAs practice under RN license authority and don’t receive a separate state credential.
Select your state to find approved nurse practitioner programs, application requirements, and licensing steps in your area.