Updated 202610 min read

How to Become a Nurse Practitioner

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice registered nurses authorized to diagnose, treat, and prescribe — and in most states, practice independently. This guide covers every step from RN license to NP practice, including specialty choices, program options, and certification requirements.

TL;DR — Key facts

  • ✓ Requires an RN license + MSN or DNP with NP specialty track + national certification
  • ✓ Takes 2–3 years of graduate school after your BSN and RN experience (6–10 years total from high school)
  • ✓ Most common specialty: FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner) — primary care across all ages
  • ✓ Median NP salary: ~$126,000/yr nationally (BLS data)

6 Steps to Become a Nurse Practitioner

  1. 1

    Earn Your RN License

    All NP pathways begin with RN licensure. You can enter as an ADN or BSN graduate, but most NP programs require a BSN. If you hold an ADN, completing an RN-to-BSN bridge program before applying to NP school is the standard path.

    RN to BSN programs →
  2. 2

    Gain Clinical RN Experience

    Most NP programs require 1–2 years of clinical RN experience before admission. Specialty-specific experience strengthens your application — for example, ICU or emergency experience is preferred for acute care NP (ACNP) programs, while primary care experience suits FNP programs.

  3. 3

    Choose Your NP Specialty

    NP programs are organized by population focus and specialty. Your choice at this stage determines your scope of practice and certification exam. The most common specialties are listed in the table below. FNP is the largest and most flexible, covering patients across the lifespan in primary care settings.

  4. 4

    Earn Your MSN or DNP

    NP programs are graduate-level. An MSN with an NP specialty track is the minimum educational requirement for licensure in most states. A DNP is increasingly preferred by employers and required by some academic programs. Both prepare you to sit for national NP certification exams.

    MSN programs →DNP programs →
  5. 5

    Pass Your National NP Certification Exam

    After graduation, you must pass a national NP certification exam recognized in your state. The two main certifying bodies are ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center) and AANP (American Association of Nurse Practitioners). Certification is typically required before state APRN licensure is issued.

  6. 6

    Apply for State APRN Licensure

    Submit your application to your state Board of Nursing with proof of NP education, national certification, and RN licensure. Requirements vary by state — some states have full practice authority for NPs while others require physician collaboration agreements.

    Nursing license requirements by state →

NP Specialties — Scope and Salary

Your specialty choice determines your patient population, practice setting, and certification pathway. Choose based on where you want to work and with whom — changing specialties later requires additional education and re-certification.

SpecialtyPatient ScopeCertifying BodyAvg Salary
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)Primary care, all agesAANP or ANCC$117,000
Psychiatric Mental Health NP (PMHNP)Mental health, all agesANCC$126,000
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NPAdults and elderly, primary careAANP or ANCC$115,000
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NPAdults and elderly, acute/hospitalANCC or AACN$123,000
Pediatric NP (PNP)Infants through adolescentsPNCB or ANCC$112,000
Women's Health NP (WHNP)Women's health, reproductiveNCC$110,000
Neonatal NP (NNP)Newborns, NICUNCC$130,000

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics; AANP; ANCC. Salary data approximate.

MSN vs DNP: Which Do You Need?

Both an MSN and a DNP qualify you to sit for NP certification exams and obtain APRN licensure in most states. The key differences are depth and career ceiling:

FactorMSN (NP Track)DNP (NP Track)
Time from BSN24–36 months36–48 months
Cost (typical range)$25,000–$55,000$30,000–$80,000
Practice authorityFull or restricted (state-dependent)Full or restricted (state-dependent)
Leadership ceilingDepartment/unit levelHealth system, CNO, executive
Required for NP?Yes (minimum in most states)No, but increasingly preferred
Faculty rolesCommunity collegesResearch universities (preferred)

If your goal is clinical practice, an MSN is sufficient and more affordable. If you have leadership or academic aspirations, the DNP is worth the additional investment. Compare DNP vs NP in detail →

Find NP Programs

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How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner?
Becoming a nurse practitioner takes 6 to 10 years from high school, depending on your path. A typical timeline: 2–4 years for an ADN or BSN → 1–2 years gaining RN experience → 2–3 years for an MSN (NP track). If you already hold a BSN and have clinical experience, you can become an NP in 2–3 additional years of graduate school. Post-master's NP certificates for those with an MSN in a different specialty typically take 1–2 years.
What degree do you need to become a nurse practitioner?
You need at minimum an MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) with an NP specialty track, plus a national NP certification in your specialty. Some states may eventually mandate the DNP as the entry-level practice degree, but as of 2026 most states license NPs with an MSN. A DNP is the terminal practice degree and is increasingly preferred for leadership, faculty, and health system executive roles.
Do you need to be an RN before becoming a nurse practitioner?
Yes — all NP education pathways require RN licensure as a prerequisite. You must first earn your RN license (via ADN or BSN), gain clinical experience (typically 1–2 years), and then complete a graduate-level NP program (MSN or DNP). There is no direct-entry NP pathway for non-nurses, though some accelerated BSN-to-DNP programs allow BSN graduates to complete both degrees in one continuous program.
What is the difference between an NP and a PA?
Both nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) are mid-level providers authorized to diagnose, treat, and prescribe. Key differences: NPs are trained in the nursing model with population-focused education; PAs are trained in the medical model with a more generalist curriculum. NPs often have more independent practice authority in states with full practice authority laws. NPs typically have RN experience before graduate school; PAs do not require prior clinical licensure. Many states grant NPs full practice authority, while PAs require physician oversight in most states.
Can nurse practitioners practice independently?
Yes, in many states. As of 2026, over 27 states and DC grant full practice authority (FPA) to NPs — meaning NPs can evaluate, diagnose, order tests, and prescribe without a physician collaboration agreement. Some states still require collaborative practice agreements with physicians. Because FPA laws change frequently, check your state Board of Nursing for current requirements.
What is the highest-paying NP specialty?
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are the highest-paid APRN role, with median salaries exceeding $195,000 nationally. Among NP specialties (non-CRNA), Neonatal NP, Acute Care NP, and PMHNP tend to command the highest salaries. FNP is the most common and most flexible specialty, with median salaries around $117,000. Salary varies significantly by state, setting (hospital vs. private practice), and years of experience.
How much do nurse practitioners make?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual salary of $126,260 for nurse practitioners as of the most recent available data. Salaries range from approximately $98,000 (10th percentile) to over $168,000 (90th percentile). NPs in specialty hospital settings, states with nursing shortages, and those with CRNA credentials earn at the high end. FNPs in rural health shortage areas may qualify for NHSC loan repayment, adding significant effective compensation.
Which NP specialty is easiest to get into?
FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner) programs are generally the most accessible: they have the broadest admission pool, the most program options nationally, and the most flexible practice setting after graduation. PMHNP programs have grown rapidly due to mental health workforce demand and often have more open seats than historically popular acute care tracks. Psychiatric-mental health is also one of the highest-demand specialties with strong job security.

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