Utah Nurse Practitioner Requirements 2026
Utah’s Advanced Practice Registered Nurses are licensed by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL). To qualify, you’ll need an active RN license, a graduate nursing degree from an accredited program, and national certification in your specialty. Utah grants full practice authority to most APRNs, including prescriptive authority.
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Utah licenses four APRN roles: nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist, and certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Each role follows the same core path through education and certification, but CRNAs and APRNs with prescriptive authority have additional licensing steps. Before any APRN application, you’ll need a valid Utah RN license, either Utah-issued or from another state.
Use the links below to jump to education requirements, certification, application steps, and renewal information.
- Education requirements for Utah APRNs
- Certification and approved certifying bodies
- Prescriptive authority
- Additional requirements for psychiatric/mental health APRNs
- International APRN applicants
- Applying for Utah APRN licensure
- Renewing your Utah APRN license
- Board contacts and professional associations
Education Requirements for Utah APRNs
Utah requires a graduate-level nursing degree, either a master’s or doctoral program, from a program approved by the Utah Board of Nursing. You can browse approved NP programs in Utah to find qualifying options. Confirm current accreditation requirements directly with DOPL before applying, as recognized accreditors and approval criteria are subject to change.
APRNs in all roles except nurse anesthesia must complete graduate coursework in pharmacotherapeutics and in patient assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. CRNA applicants must show that their program was accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
If you completed your program out of state, Utah may accept lesser educational requirements if what you completed was equivalent to Utah’s standards at the time you graduated. Out-of-state graduates who are missing the required pharmacotherapeutics or patient assessment coursework may be eligible for a temporary license while they meet those requirements.
Certification and Approved Certifying Bodies
After completing your graduate program, you’ll pursue national certification through a third-party certifying organization. Utah accepts certification from the following bodies, all of which meet national APRN certification standards:
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
- Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)
- National Certification Corporation (NCC) for obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal specialties
- American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB)
- National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA)
You must pass your certification exam within a set period of completing your graduate program. If that window lapses without a passing score, you’ll need to complete additional education before you can sit for the exam again. Confirm the current timeframe against Utah statute and your certifying body’s requirements before applying. Educational prerequisites are submitted directly to the certifying organization, not to DOPL.
Graduates who apply for licensure within one year of completing an approved program may receive an intern license from DOPL before certification is complete. This option is not available to CRNA applicants.
Prescriptive Authority
Utah includes prescriptive authority in the standard APRN license for most roles, provided you meet the coursework requirements. To qualify, your graduate program must have included coursework in pharmacotherapeutics. APRNs with prescriptive authority can prescribe medications independently, which reflects Utah’s full practice authority model for NPs.
CRNAs are the exception: the APRN-CRNA license does not include prescriptive authority.
APRNs who don’t meet the prescriptive authority coursework requirements may be issued an APRN-Without Prescriptive Authority designation instead of a full APRN license. If that applies to you, DOPL will specify what additional steps are needed.
APRNs and CRNAs who prescribe controlled substances also need a separate controlled substances license. That application includes a consultation and referral plan and carries an additional fee. See DOPL’s current fee schedule for amounts, as fees are subject to change.
Additional Requirements for Psychiatric/Mental Health APRNs
If your APRN role is in psychiatric/mental health, Utah requires supervised practice hours beyond those required for other APRN roles. The total minimum is 4,000 hours of combined education and clinical practice. These requirements are defined in the Utah Nurse Practice Act Rules; confirm the current hour allocations and the rule citation directly with DOPL before advising applicants, as these rules are subject to amendment.
Based on the current rule, DOPL awards 1,000 of those hours for completing an approved graduate program. The remaining 3,000 hours must be completed post-examination and are broken down as follows:
- At least 1,000 hours of mental health therapy practice
- At least 2,000 hours of clinical practice under the supervision of a psychiatric/mental health APRN or a qualified mental health therapist
All supervised practice must be completed within five years of graduation. Your supervisor will later verify your certification and confirm your competency. You’ll work under an intern license during this period.
International APRN Applicants
International nurses without 6,000 hours of U.S. professional experience must complete a three-part certification process through the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). You’ll also need to demonstrate one additional competency before practicing in Utah: a passing score on a language proficiency exam, documented U.S. professional experience, or an additional credential. These requirements are described in Rule R156-31b-301d of the Utah Nurse Practice Act Rules. Confirm the current version of this rule with DOPL before applying, as international licensure pathways are updated periodically.
International nurses who have already completed 6,000 hours of professional practice in the United States must provide evidence of passing an English proficiency examination.
Applying for Utah APRN Licensure
Applications are submitted to DOPL. Download the current application packet directly from the DOPL website, as forms are updated periodically and older versions may not be accepted.
The application requires:
- State and federal background checks (fingerprinting available at no charge at the DOPL office in Salt Lake City)
- Official transcripts in sealed envelopes, either included in the packet or mailed directly from your institution to DOPL
- Supporting documentation if you answered “yes” to any qualifying questions about disciplinary history or substance use
If you’re a new graduate seeking a temporary license before certification, you’ll need to provide evidence of employment and APRN or physician supervision. Temporary licenses are valid for up to 180 days. Examination results must be submitted directly from the testing organization to the Utah Board.
For current application fees, refer to the DOPL fee schedule. Fees apply to the base application, intern licensure (if applicable), and controlled substance licensure (if applicable). Applications may be mailed or delivered to the DOPL office. The application packet lists both addresses.
Renewing Your Utah APRN License
Utah APRN licenses are renewed every two years. Licenses expire on January 31 of even-numbered years. To renew, you must hold an active national certification in your specialty role.
APRNs with prescriptive authority must complete at least 4 hours of continuing education in controlled substance prescribing each renewal cycle. This breaks down as 3.5 hours of approved controlled substance education and 0.5 hours from DOPL’s online controlled substance tutorial. Continuing education requirements beyond this are generally set by your certifying organization, not by DOPL.
APRNs who were originally licensed without national certification must provide evidence of continuing education and practice hours directly to DOPL at renewal.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Board Contacts and Professional Associations
Licensing information, applications, and the current fee schedule are available from the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL). The current APRN licensing page is at dopl.utah.gov/nurse. Verify the URL is current before linking, as Utah has reorganized portions of its licensing website in recent years. Contact information is listed on the DOPL website.
The Nurse Practice Act and its rules are revised periodically. Always confirm current requirements directly with DOPL before submitting an application.
Utah’s professional associations can provide additional guidance on APRN practice and continuing education:
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Utah have full practice authority for nurse practitioners?
Yes. Utah grants full practice authority to most APRNs, meaning nurse practitioners can evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients and prescribe medications without physician oversight. CRNAs are the exception and do not receive prescriptive authority under their APRN-CRNA license.
What graduate degree do I need to become an APRN in Utah?
Utah requires a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing from a program accredited by CCNE or CNEA. Your program must include coursework in pharmacotherapeutics and patient assessment, diagnosis, and treatment, unless you’re pursuing the CRNA role.
How long does a Utah APRN intern license last?
A Utah APRN intern license is valid for up to 180 days. It’s available to new graduates who apply within one year of completing an approved program and need time to complete their national certification exam. CRNAs are not eligible for intern licensure.
When does a Utah APRN license expire?
Utah APRN licenses expire on January 31 of even-numbered years and must be renewed every two years. Renewal requires active national certification in your specialty. APRNs with prescriptive authority must also complete controlled substance continuing education each renewal cycle.
Do Utah APRNs need a separate controlled substances license?
Yes, if you prescribe controlled substances. The controlled substances license is a separate application through DOPL and requires a consultation and referral plan. Refer to the current DOPL fee schedule for the associated fee, as amounts are subject to change.
Key Takeaways
- Graduate degree required — You’ll need a master’s or doctoral degree from a CCNE- or CNEA-accredited program before applying for APRN licensure in Utah.
- National certification is mandatory — Utah accepts certification from six approved bodies, and you have five years from graduation to pass your exam.
- Full practice authority for most roles — Utah NPs can practice and prescribe independently. CRNAs are the exception and don’t receive prescriptive authority.
- Psychiatric/mental health APRNs have additional requirements — a minimum of 4,000 combined education and practice hours, including 3,000 post-exam supervised hours.
- Verify fees and forms with DOPL directly — Application fees and form versions are updated periodically, so always download the current packet from the DOPL website before applying.
Find approved APRN programs, application requirements, and program options for your Utah nursing specialty.