Become a Nurse in Arizona – Licensure & Requirements
Nursing requirements change rapidly. Make sure to confirm licensing requirements with the Arizona State Board of Nursing before applying for licensure.
Nursing Licenses in Arizona | Master’s Required? |
|---|---|
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | Yes |
Nurse Practitioner | Yes |
Certified Nurse-Midwife | Yes |
Clinical Nurse Specialist | Yes |
Registered Nurse (RN) | No |
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | No |
Certified Nursing Assistant | No |
School Nurse | No |
Arizona Nursing Salaries
AZ Nurse Career | State-Wide Annual Mean Wage | Flagstaff Annual Mean Wage | Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale Annual Mean Wage | Tucson Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Licensed Practical Nurse | $54,090 | $54,820 | $56,000 | $50,460 |
Registered Nurse | $77,000 | $78,880 | $78,080 | $74,450 |
Nurse Midwife | $114,900 | Not Available | $105,030 | Not Available |
Nurse Practitioner | $110,750 | $105,190 | $108,070 | $114,890 |
Nurse Anesthetist | $144,670 | Not Available | $142,720 | Not Available |
Careers as a nurse salaries above were retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics – State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Arizona in January 2020.
There are many paths to becoming a nurse in Arizona. The path you take will mostly depend upon the type of nurse you’d like to become and your current or prospective level of education. The higher your level of education, the more opportunities you’ll have to choose where and how you pursue your career in nursing.
In addition to nursing salaries in Arizona, you’ll find information on acquiring and maintaining several types of Arizona nursing licensure. We’re constantly making updates, but with the speed of change in the healthcare sphere it’s difficult to stay current. If you have any comments or suggestions for our information on nursing in Arizona, please email us at info@nursinglicensemap.com!
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. The programs combine live classes, engaging coursework, and hands-on clinical experiences to help you advance your career as an NP. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care. Explore Nursing@Simmons programs for RNs who hold a BSN or bachelor’s degree.
- Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
- Complete in as few as 24 months
- Full-time and part-time tracks available
Master of Science in Nursing
Nursing@Georgetown enables RNs to earn their MS in Nursing online from Georgetown University. Through a research-based curriculum and hands-on clinical experiences, the program prepares students to pursue certification in an APRN specialty area and provide specialized care for patients in their communities. BSN required.
- 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
Master of Science in Nursing
Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required. The online pathway combines live classes, 600 hours of clinical rotations, and on-campus immersions to prepare you to pursue NP licensure in one of four specialties: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, or AGPCNP.
- Part-time and accelerated tracks available
- Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP
Compact State Status
Arizona is a Nursing Licensure Compact state.
Prescriptive Authority in Arizona
In accordance with the Rules of the State Board of Nursing in Arizona, Registered nurse practitioners may be granted prescriptive authority under Schedule II-V. APRNs may not prescribe refills for Schedule II drugs, but may prescribe five refills in six months for Schedule III-IV drugs, and one year of refills for Schedule V drugs. A total of 45 contact hours in pharmacology within the last three years are required.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in Arizona
Recognized APRN roles in Arizona include: registered nurse practitioner (RNP), certified nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist (CNS), and certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). RNPs and CNSs practice within one or more population foci.
Education: Master’s degree or higher from an approved advanced practice nursing program
Examination: Varies for Different Certifications
Fees:
- $150 Application Fee
- $50 Fingerprinting Fee
Additional Information: An active registered nurse license is required for application.
Renewal: APRN certificates expire when the holder’s RN license expires. Evidence of a national certification or recertification is required.
Learn more on how to become an advanced practice registered nurse.
Registered Nurse (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Arizona
Education: Diploma, associate degree, or baccalaureate degree in nursing from an approved program
Examination: NCLEX
Fees:
- $150 Application Fee
- $150 Writing for NCLEX Fee
- $50 Fingerprinting Fee
Renewal: Registered nurse (RN) licenses must be renewed through the Arizona Board of Nursing every four years. The renewal fee is $160 plus the completion of 960 practice hours over the five-year period or an advanced practice nursing degree.
Endorsement: Individuals licensed as registered nurses in another state may apply for endorsement. A $150 application fee and $50 fingerprinting fee are required. Licensure by endorsement must be confirmed by verification of an original state license.
Learn more on how to become a registered nurse or how to become a licensed practical nurse.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) in Arizona
Education: An approved nursing assistant program or at least 120 hours.
Examination: Written and manual skills competency exams.
Fees: $50 CNA/LNA Endorsement
Additional Information: CNAs must be listed on the CNA registry for endorsement as a CNA in Arizona.
Renewal: CNA and LNA recognitions are renewed every two years. For CNA registered nurses there is no renewal fee. For LNAs there is a $50 fee for every 2-year renewal. CNAs are required to provide evidence of at least 8 hours of work in the past two year period while LNAs are required to provide evidence of 160 hours of work in the last two years.
Learn more on how to become a certified nursing assistant.
Information for the nursing careers above: advanced practice registered nurse, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, certified nursing assistant and licensed nursing assistant was retrieved from the Arizona State Board of Nursing, as of January 2020.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. The programs combine live classes, engaging coursework, and hands-on clinical experiences to help you advance your career as an NP. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care. Explore Nursing@Simmons programs for RNs who hold a BSN or bachelor’s degree.
- Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
- Complete in as few as 24 months
- Full-time and part-time tracks available
Master of Science in Nursing
Nursing@Georgetown enables RNs to earn their MS in Nursing online from Georgetown University. Through a research-based curriculum and hands-on clinical experiences, the program prepares students to pursue certification in an APRN specialty area and provide specialized care for patients in their communities. BSN required.
- 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
Master of Science in Nursing
Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required. The online pathway combines live classes, 600 hours of clinical rotations, and on-campus immersions to prepare you to pursue NP licensure in one of four specialties: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, or AGPCNP.
- Part-time and accelerated tracks available
- Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP
Information last updated: January 2020