DC Nurse Practitioner License Requirements 2026
The District of Columbia Board of Nursing grants APRN authority in four roles: nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse midwife, and certified registered nurse anesthetist. DC is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. Applicants must hold a DC RN license, complete a graduate-level nursing program, and earn national certification before applying for APRN authority.
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DC grants nurse practitioners full practice authority, meaning NPs can evaluate patients, diagnose conditions, and prescribe medications, including controlled substances, without physician oversight. That independence is why the credentialing process is rigorous: the DC Board of Nursing requires a graduate degree, national certification, and a separate prescriptive authority registration before an NP can practice independently in the District.
This page covers each step in that process, from education and certification through application, prescriptive authority, and renewal. For a national overview, see nurse practitioner license requirements by state.
Use the links below to jump to education requirements, certification, application steps, prescriptive authority, and renewal information.
- Education requirements for DC APRNs
- National certification requirements
- How to apply for DC APRN authority
- Prescriptive authority and DEA registration
- License renewal requirements
- Board contacts and professional associations
Education Requirements for DC APRNs
DC regulations require nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists to complete post-basic nursing education in their specialty area. Graduate programs must be appropriately accredited by a recognized accrediting body. For nurse practitioners, that typically means a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), or an accredited post-master’s certificate aligned with the NP role and a specific population focus. See Nurse Practitioner programs in DC for accredited program options.
Clinical nurse specialists must hold, at a minimum, a master’s degree and complete a program in their specialty area. Nurse anesthetist programs are accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs (COA). Nurse midwife programs are accredited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM).
Before applying for APRN authority, the applicant must also hold a current DC RN license. Out-of-state nurses without a DC RN license will need to obtain a DC RN license by endorsement before the APRN application can move forward.
National Certification Requirements
DC requires all APRN applicants to pass a national certification examination that meets Board criteria. The application packet lists the certifications currently approved by the DC Board of Nursing. Certification must be active at the time of application and must align with the population focus or specialty the applicant intends to practice.
Approved certifications for nurse practitioners
Nurse practitioners may hold certification from the following bodies, depending on their specialty:
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC): Acute Care NP, Adult NP, Adult/Gerontology NP, Adult/Gerontology Acute Care NP, Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health NP, Family NP, Family Psychiatric/Mental Health NP, Pediatric NP
American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP): Adult NP, Gerontology NP, Family NP
Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB): Pediatric NP, Acute Care Pediatric NP
American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN): Acute Care NP, Adult/Gero Acute Care NP
National Certification Corporation (NCC): Neonatal Health Care NP, Women’s Health Care NP
The DC Board has also approved the Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist certification through PNCB, which may be applicable to the CNS or Adult Family NP/Pediatric NP role.
Approved certifications for clinical nurse specialists
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC): Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health CNS, Adult Health CNS, Advanced Public Health CNS, Child/Adolescent Psychiatric and Mental Health CNS, Gerontology CNS, Pediatric Clinical CNS
American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN): Adult Acute Care CNS, Adult Care CNS, Pediatric Acute Care CNS, Neonatal Acute Care CNS
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists earn certification through the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiologists (AANA). Certified Nurse Midwives earn certification through the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).
How to Apply for DC APRN Authority
License applications are available through the DC Department of Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA). The Board requires the following as part of the application package:
- Verification of national certification, submitted directly from the certifying agency or in a sealed envelope
- Two photographs
- Documentation of any name changes
- Fingerprint-based criminal background check (see below)
Applicants applying for endorsement in DC must provide verification of licensure from the original credentialing state. If the applicant is no longer licensed in that state, verification from the current state of licensure is also required. Verification must come directly from the licensing agency. Applicants are also directed to include a copy of the current license in the package.
Internationally educated applicants who did not complete a program taught in English and do not have two years of recent U.S. clinical experience must demonstrate English proficiency by passing the TOEFL iBT or IELTS.
Background check requirement
All applicants must complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check unless one was previously completed for the Health Regulation and Licensing Administration. Contact the HRLA for current vendor information and instructions. The fingerprinting process and approved vendors may change. Applicants with questions about the background check can call the HRLA at 202-442-9004.
Application fees
Application fees are set by the DC Department of Health and are subject to change. Verify current fees with the HRLA before submitting your application. As a general reference, the Board has historically charged separate fees for the RN license and the APRN certification. A simultaneous application for both carries a combined fee. Contact the Board or check the current fee schedule at the DOH website for the amounts in effect at the time of your application.
Prescriptive Authority and DEA Registration
DC grants nurse practitioners full practice authority, including independent prescriptive rights for Schedule II through V controlled substances. To prescribe controlled substances, NPs must obtain two separate registrations in addition to their APRN license:
- DEA registration — A federal Drug Enforcement Administration mid-level practitioner registration is required to prescribe controlled substances. DEA registrations are renewed on a three-year cycle. Verify the current fee at dea.gov before applying.
- DC controlled substances registration — A separate District of Columbia controlled substances registration is also required. This is obtained through the DC Department of Health.
Under DC nurse practitioner regulations, NPs may not issue refillable prescriptions for controlled substances. Prescriptive authority for non-controlled medications does not require DEA registration but is covered under the APRN license and the DC controlled substances registration.
License Renewal Requirements
DC APRN certifications renew on a two-year cycle. To renew, the licensee must:
- Hold current national certification in the applicable specialty
- Complete continuing education as required by DC Health. Current APRN renewal requirements include 24 continuing education hours, including 15 hours in pharmacology and other required topic areas. Verify requirements with DC Health before renewing, as these may change.
Renewal requirements and fees are set by the DC Department of Health. Verify current renewal instructions with the Board prior to your renewal date.
Board Contacts and Professional Associations
The DC Board of Nursing operates under the Department of Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration. The DOH can be reached at (877) 672-2174 or by email at [email protected].
Professional associations for advanced practice nurses in the District include:
- DC Board of Nursing
- Nurse Practitioner Association of the District of Columbia
- District of Columbia Affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does DC have full practice authority for nurse practitioners?
Yes. DC grants nurse practitioners full independent practice authority. NPs can evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients and prescribe medications, including Schedule II through V controlled substances, without physician supervision. DEA registration and a DC controlled substances registration are required to prescribe controlled substances.
Is DC part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?
No. DC is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). A DC APRN license is valid only within the District. NPs who want to practice in Maryland or Virginia must apply for licensure in those states separately.
Do I need a DC RN license before applying for APRN authority?
Yes. The DC Board of Nursing requires applicants to hold an active DC RN license before APRN authority will be granted. Out-of-state nurses must obtain a DC RN license through endorsement first, then apply for APRN certification.
What continuing education is required to renew a DC APRN license?
Renewal requirements change periodically. Verify current CE requirements with DC Health before renewing. Current guidance requires 24 CE hours, including 15 hours in pharmacology and other required subjects. Nurses must also demonstrate current national certification in their specialty area at the time of renewal.
Can I transfer my APRN license from another state into DC?
Out-of-state APRNs can apply for endorsement into DC. The process requires verification of licensure from the original credentialing state and, if no longer licensed there, from the current state. Verification must come directly from the issuing licensing agency.
Key Takeaways
- Full practice authority — DC nurse practitioners can practice and prescribe independently, including Schedule II-V controlled substances, without physician oversight.
- Not a compact state — DC does not participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact. A DC APRN license is only valid within the District.
- DC RN license required first — Applicants must hold an active DC RN license before the Board will grant APRN authority.
- DEA registration required for controlled substances — Prescribing Schedule II-V drugs requires both a federal DEA registration and a separate DC controlled substances registration.
- Renews every two years — Renewal requires current national certification and completion of DC Health’s current continuing education requirements.
Looking for accredited NP programs in or near DC? Find graduate nursing programs and application information for your area.