For our nurses on the front lines and in the background, be sure to remember to take some time for yourself to reduce burnout.
Welcome to Nursing License Map
Learn more about the nursing licensure requirements in your state with our guides below:
Sponsored online nursing programs
Simmons University
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care.
- Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
- Complete in as few as 24 months
- Full-time and part-time tracks available
Georgetown University
Master of Science in Nursing
Nursing@Georgetown delivers Georgetown University’s MS in Nursing program online, preparing RNs with a BSN to pursue certification in an APRN specialty. Students can earn their degree in as few as 23 months.
- Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
- Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
- Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice
SPONSORED
The program cards/tables featured on this page were last updated in November 2022. For the most current program information, please refer to the official website of the respective school.
Most popular states for nurses
Here are the states that employ the most nurses and states with the highest median salary for nurses, by specific nursing profession, according to information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
States with the highest employment and highest pay for nurses
| Nursing career | States with highest employment | Highest paying state | Annual mean wage in highest paying state |
|---|---|---|---|
Licensed practical/licensed vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) | – California – Texas – New York – Ohio – Florida | Washington | $69,950 |
Registered nurse (RN) | – California – Texas – Florida – New York – Pennsylvania | California | $133,340 |
Nurse practitioner (NP) | – California – Texas – Florida – New York – Tennessee | California | $158,130 |
Nurse midwife | – California – New York – Florida – Texas – Minnesota | California | $169,530 |
Nurse anesthetist | – Florida – Michigan – Ohio – Texas – Pennsylvania | North Dakota | Greater than $239,200 |
Information on the states with the highest employment for nurses and states with the highest pay for nurses was retrieved from the BLS occupational employment statistics (OES), as of May 2022:
Nursing licensure and certifications
Each state has its own set of nursing licensure certifications that nurses can apply for after they have completed the required nursing education and nursing certification exam.
Our list of states above may help you understand the requirements for each level of your future nursing career. However, no matter what state you pursue nursing licensure in, both licensed practical/licensed vocational nurses and registered nurses (RN) must maintain their license to practice. For advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), the typical prerequisite is an active RN license before application.
Nursing licensure compact
Although each state has its own licensure process, it is getting easier for nurses to transfer active licenses to other states through the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC). As of February 6, 2024, 41 states are participating in the Nursing Licensure Compact. Learn more about the NLC.
Nursing career paths
Whether you have a high school education and want to assist patients as a certified nurse assistant (CNA) or are looking to get a master’s degree to become a nurse practitioner, there are careers in nursing for people of all ages and experience levels.
- Education: An approved training program.
- Main duties: Assist patients with basic care including bathing, transporting, and dressing patients, checking vital signs, and recording health concerns.
- Autonomy: CNAs are supervised by LPN/LVNs or RNs.
- Median annual wage, 2022: $35,760
Information on CNA careers is from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for nursing assistants and orderlies.
Licensed practical nurse (LPN)/licensed vocational nurse
- Education: A high school diploma is required and a one-year certificate program typically must be completed. Prospective LPNs must also take the NCLEX-PN exam.
- Clinical hours: Supervised clinical experience is included in the one-year certificate program.
- Main duties: Basic patient care such as bandage changing, keeping patient health records, and discussing care with patients. Some states allow properly trained LPNs to insert intravenous (IV) drips, but others do not.
- Autonomy: LPNs are often supervised by RNs, though in some states they may be supervised by more experienced LPNs.
- Median annual wage, 2022: $54,620
- Education: A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), an associate degree in nursing (ADN), or a diploma from an approved nursing program is required. A passing score on the NCLEX-RN is also required.
- Clinical hours: Programs will have a clinical component, though the amount of clinical hours will vary.
- Main duties: Record patient health, treat, medicate, and test patients, create care plans, instruct patients and families on how to care for illness or injury, and consult with doctors. Many RNs work within a specific population, such as in neonatal care or addiction settings.
- Autonomy: RNs work with physicians, and may have autonomy in overseeing other RNs, LPNs, and CNAs.
- Median annual wage, 2022: $81,220
Information on RN careers is from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for registered nurses.
- Education: A master’s degree in a nursing specialty and RN experience are required. Passing an exam in a specialty is also required.
- Clinical hours: Varies by specialty, but clinical experience hours are required.
- Main duties: Provide primary care, promote preventive health, and treat patient illness and injury.
- Autonomy: In many states, nurse practitioners can open their own practices, prescribe medications, and order lab tests. Sometimes nurse practitioners may work collaboratively with physicians.
- Median annual wage, 2022: $121,610
Information on nurse practitioner careers is from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners.
- Education: A master’s degree and at least one year of RN experience are required. Passing a specialty exam is also required for certification.
- Clinical hours: 500 or more clinical hours are required in a CNS master’s program. These hours must be specific to the nurse’s desired specialty. Some specialties require more hours.
- Main duties: Caring for patients in a specific population, working with other nurses to improve the way care is delivered within a setting, leading and educating other nurses, research, and advocacy.
- Autonomy: CNSs often serve as leaders, directing and educating other nurses, and are integral in developing change in their organizations. A CNS can write prescriptions in some states.
- Median annual wage, 2022: Not specified
Information on CNS careers is from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for registered nurses.
- Education: A master’s degree and RN experience are required. Passing an exam is also required.
- Clinical hours: Although the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) doesn’t outline specific hours, there is an expected clinical experience component to the master’s degree.
- Main duties: Family planning, gynecological care, delivering babies, and providing primary care.
- Autonomy: CNMs may have their own private practice in some states and may also be able to write prescriptions and order tests.
- Median annual wage, 2022: $120,880
Information on certified nurse midwife careers is from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners.
- Education: A master’s degree and RN experience are required. Passing an exam is also required.
- Clinical hours: 2,000-hour minimum and 600 case experiences in the administration of anesthetics are required, according to the Council on Accreditation (COA) standards.
- Main duties: Administer anesthesia and provide care before, during, and after procedures. CRNAs also provide pain management and some emergency services.
- Autonomy: CRNAs work with a team of people who are caring for their patients. Some states allow them to administer anesthesia without physician supervision, but this varies from state to state.
- Median annual wage, 2022: $203,090
Information on certified registered nurse anesthetist careers is from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners.
The nursing shortage and the growing demand for nurses
Overall employment for healthcare occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032, with about 1.8 million openings per year. A big reason: an aging population, which leads to more demand for healthcare. Registered nurses jobs alone are expected to increase 6% from 2022 to 2032, according to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for registered nurses, creating about 193,100 job openings each year. In those same years, employment of nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, and nurse practitioner employment is projected to increase 38%, much faster than the overall growth of all jobs.
The BLS projects home health and personal care aides, registered nurses, and nursing practitioners are among the top growing occupations through 2032.
An increase in age and chronic disease among Americans means there is a need for nurses of all kinds. Here is a look at some of the reasons there is such a need for nurses and why it is a great time to become a nurse.
An aging population
By 2030, all baby boomers will be at least 65 years old, according to the Census Bureau, with the baby boom generation accounting for about 73 million people.
The American Hospital Association (AHA) reports the following health conditions for the baby boomer generation (PDF, 4.1 MB):
- More than six of every 10 baby boomers will be managing more than one chronic condition.
- More than one of every three will be considered obese.
- One of every four will be living with diabetes.
- One of every two will be living with arthritis.
The size of this generation along with improvements in life expectancy means that soon, a much greater portion of Americans will be older than 65 than ever before. With age comes increased medical needs and chronic disease. The National Council on Aging reports about 80% of older adults have a chronic condition.
An aging nursing workforce
Some of those aging Americans are nurses themselves. In 2020, more than one-fifth of nurses indicated an intent to retire within the next five years, according to the American Nurses Association. The Nursing Management journal expresses the catch-22 with employment of aging nurses: they are invaluable for their experience but they may experience physical, emotional, and mental challenges.
HPSAs – the primary care shortage and growing autonomy
Nurses aren’t just needed to ease the nursing shortage; advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are also needed to aid in the shortage of primary care doctors. Since there are many health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) in the United States, there is a struggle to ensure that there is accessible primary care for everyone.
With a growing shortage of primary care doctors, paired with the amount of time and training it takes to get new doctors into the workforce, nurse practitioners can help fill that void. In many states, nurse practitioners can have their own private practice and prescribe medicine, allowing them to provide patients with many of the same services primary care doctors provide.
As of October 2023, 27 states plus the District of Columbia permit nurse practitioners to have full practice responsibilities, including evaluating and diagnosing patients, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, initiating and managing treatments, and prescribing medications and controlled substances. Twelve states grant nurse practitioners reduced practice responsibilities, providing care under a collaborative agreement with another health provider.
Nursing education and testing
To start a career in nursing at any level, some form of training must be completed. Additionally, many roles within nursing require the passing of an examination to become certified and/or earn nursing licensure by your state.
Certified nursing assistant (CNA) education
In the majority of states, nursing assistants are unlicensed professionals. There are a couple of states however, that have a special license for CNAs that must be renewed. Nursing assistant education consists of a training program at a high school, college, or hospital. There is no degree involved, but the program prepares students to take a competency exam so they can be entered into the state registry. After the passing of this exam, there is some on-the-job training, after which the CNA is fully trained.
Learn more about how to become a certified nursing assistant.
Licensed practical nurse (LPN) education
Licensed practical nurses are required to complete a one-year, non-degree education program at a high school, college, or hospital. These programs may have a clinical experience component in addition to classroom learning. LPNs must pass the NCLEX-PN examination to obtain licensure. LPNs can also gain expertise and earn certificates in specific areas of nursing.
Learn more on how to become a licensed practical nurse.
Registered nurse (RN) education
An associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing is required to become a registered nurse, though employers may only seek candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree. No matter which path is chosen, there is a clinical component to education. Nursing students must pass the NCLEX-RN to become certified as registered nurses. It is also important to note that RNs with bachelor’s degrees might have more opportunities to be leaders and researchers.
Learn more on how to become a registered nurse.
Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) education
All nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, and certified registered nurse anesthetists must be registered nurses with some nursing experience before applying to a master’s program, which is required for all advanced nursing degrees. There are many programs for registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree, as well as programs for nurses with an associate degree that combine a bachelor’s and master’s program into one. Upon the completion of a program, students must take a test related to the advanced specialty they wish to practice to become certified.
Learn more on how to become an advanced practice registered nurse.
Online nursing programs
Nursing bridge programs
Additional nursing information
Sponsored online nursing programs
Simmons University
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care.
- Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
- Complete in as few as 24 months
- Full-time and part-time tracks available
Georgetown University
Master of Science in Nursing
Nursing@Georgetown delivers Georgetown University’s MS in Nursing program online, preparing RNs with a BSN to pursue certification in an APRN specialty. Students can earn their degree in as few as 23 months.
- Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
- Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
- Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice
SPONSORED
Last updated February 2024