Idaho APRN Licensing: Requirements, Application, and Renewal 2026
Idaho licenses advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) through the Idaho Board of Nursing. To become a nurse practitioner in Idaho, you need an active RN license, a graduate-level APRN program from an accredited institution, and a passing score on a national certification exam in your specialty. Idaho grants full practice authority, meaning NPs can diagnose and prescribe independently.
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Idaho is a full practice authority state, which means nurse practitioners can practice and prescribe without a physician collaboration agreement. The Idaho Board of Nursing handles all APRN licensing and recognizes four roles: Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Certified Nurse Midwife, and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Whether you’re starting your graduate education or transferring a license from another state, the requirements below cover every step of the process.
Use the links below to jump to education requirements, certification, application steps, renewal, and additional resources.
- Education and Certification Requirements
- Application Process and Fees
- Prescriptive Authority
- Out-of-State APRNs
- License Renewal
- Board Contact and Professional Associations
Education and Certification Requirements
Idaho requires a graduate or post-graduate degree from a nationally accredited APRN program. Accepted accrediting bodies include the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Note that the program itself must be accredited, not just the institution. Before entering a graduate APRN program, you’ll need an active RN license. See RN licensing requirements in Idaho if you’re still working toward that step.
You can find accredited nurse practitioner programs in Idaho on this site. After completing your program, you must pass a national certification exam in your APRN role and population focus before applying for state licensure. The Idaho Board of Nursing recognizes certification organizations whose processes meet the National Council of State Boards of Nursing criteria. Each certifying body has its own continuing education requirements for maintaining certification, separate from Idaho’s renewal requirements.
Idaho recognizes the following population foci for APRN licensure:
- Adult-gerontology
- Individuals and families across the lifespan
- Neonatal
- Pediatrics
- Psychiatric-mental health
- Women’s health/gender
All applicants must also clear a fingerprint-based background check processed through the Idaho Central Criminal Database and the FBI. Confirm the current fingerprinting procedure with the Idaho Board of Nursing, as requirements can change. For fingerprinting questions, contact the Board at (208) 334-3110, ext. 2476.
Application Process and Fees
Before applying for APRN licensure, you must hold an active RN license in Idaho or an active compact RN license from another Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. APRN licensure is not covered under the NLC compact, so you’ll need to apply directly to the Idaho Board of Nursing regardless of where your RN license is held.
The application form depends on your RN license situation:
- Licensed as an RN in Idaho: Use the APRN & RN Initial Licensure application
- Licensed as an RN in a compact state: use the APRN Initial License – Compact RN form
Along with your application, you’ll submit documentation of your national certification, official APRN transcripts sent directly from the issuing institution, a small photograph, and supporting documentation for any “yes” answers to screening questions. Fee schedules change periodically, so verify current application and temporary license fees through the Idaho Board of Nursing before submitting. The Board typically issues temporary licenses within 30 days of a complete application, though processing times vary by volume and completeness. Permanent licenses may take longer.
New graduates may apply for a temporary license upon receipt of registration confirmation from their certification agency. A temporary license is invalidated if the certification exam is not passed. Candidates submit required exam documentation to the Board per its current procedures.
Prescriptive Authority
Under Idaho Board rules, APRNs who completed their graduate programs on or after January 1, 2016, receive prescriptive authority with their APRN license. If you completed your program before that date, you’ll need to apply separately for prescriptive authority and document 30 semester hours of pharmacotherapeutic coursework. That coursework can be formal academic education or continuing education. Verify the current prescriptive authority application procedure and fee with the Idaho Board of Nursing, as administrative rules may change.
Idaho APRNs with prescriptive authority can prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances independently. Beginning with DEA registrations or renewals on or after June 27, 2023, all DEA-registered practitioners are required to complete a one-time 8-hour training on treating patients with opioid or other substance use disorders as part of their DEA registration.
Out-of-State APRNs
Out-of-state APRNs can apply for Idaho licensure by endorsement. If your current APRN license meets Idaho’s requirements, including the graduate education and national certification standards, the process is straightforward. Compact RN licensees submit copies of their current RN license as part of the application packet.
Idaho is a member of the APRN Compact, which would allow multistate APRN practice once the compact becomes active. Compact implementation status changes as additional states enact the legislation, so check the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) for the current APRN Compact status before assuming multistate practice rights.
License Renewal
Idaho APRN licenses are renewed biennially. To renew, you must maintain an active RN license or compact privilege to practice in Idaho and hold a current national APRN certification.
Idaho updated its continuing competency requirements effective with the 2019 renewal cycle. Under current rules, APRNs must complete at least two of the following activities within each two-year renewal period:
- 100 hours of practice or simulation practice, or current nursing specialty certification
- 15 contact hours of continuing education, or at least one semester credit hour of post-licensure academic education, or completion of a Board-recognized refresher course
APRNs with prescriptive authority must include at least 10 hours of pharmacology in their continuing education. Licenses may be renewed up to one year after expiration. After that, a reinstatement application is required.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Board Contact and Professional Associations
The Idaho Board of Nursing handles all APRN licensing questions and can be reached by telephone at (208) 577-2476. Current application forms and licensing information are available on the Board’s website.
Professional organizations for Idaho APRNs include:
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Idaho have full practice authority for nurse practitioners?
Yes. Idaho grants full practice authority to APRNs, meaning nurse practitioners can diagnose, treat, and prescribe independently without a required physician collaboration or supervision agreement. This includes prescribing Schedule II-V controlled substances.
What degree do I need to become a nurse practitioner in Idaho?
Idaho requires completion of a graduate or post-graduate APRN program accredited by a recognized accrediting body such as the CCNE or ACEN. Most NPs hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). You must also pass a national certification exam before applying for state licensure.
Can I practice in Idaho with an APRN license from another state?
Yes, by applying for licensure by endorsement through the Idaho Board of Nursing. Idaho is a member of the APRN Compact, but that compact is not yet active as of early 2026. Until it takes effect, each APRN license is issued separately by the state, regardless of NLC compact status for your RN license.
How long does it take to get an Idaho APRN license?
The Board typically issues temporary licenses within 30 days of receiving a complete application and certification registration confirmation. Permanent licenses may take up to ten weeks. Applying for a temporary license is the fastest way to begin practice while your permanent license is processed.
What are Idaho’s APRN renewal requirements?
Idaho APRN licenses renew every two years. You must maintain active RN licensure, hold current national certification, and complete at least two qualifying continuing competency activities during the renewal period. APRNs with prescriptive authority must include 10 hours of pharmacology in their CE hours.
Key Takeaways
- Full practice authority — Idaho NPs can diagnose, treat, and prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances without a physician agreement.
- Graduate degree required — Applicants must complete an MSN or DNP from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited program and pass a national certification exam.
- APRN compact membership, not yet active — Idaho joined the APRN Compact, but it requires seven states to enact before multistate APRN practice is recognized.
- Temporary license available — New graduates can apply for a temporary license while awaiting permanent licensure, with issuance typically within 30 days.
- Biennial renewal with CE requirements — Licenses renew every two years; APRNs with prescriptive authority must include 10 pharmacology hours in each renewal cycle.
Find accredited NP programs in Idaho and compare MSN and DNP options by specialty and population focus.