Nursing requirements change rapidly. Make sure to confirm licensing requirements with the Georgia Board of Nursing before applying for licensure. Last updated: 1/27/2020
Become a Nurse in Georgia – Licensure & Requirements
| Nursing Licenses in Georgia | Master’s Required? |
|---|---|
Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNA) | Yes |
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) | Yes |
Nurse Practitioner (NP) | Yes |
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) | Yes |
Registered Nurse (RN) | No |
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | No |
Georgia Nursing Salaries
| GA Nurse Career | State-Wide Annual Mean Wage | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell Annual Mean Wage | Augusta-Richmond County Annual Mean Wage | Savannah Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Licensed Practical Nurse | $41,690 | $44,110 | $41,920 | $40,960 |
Registered Nurse | $68,950 | $73,190 | $69,000 | $61,930 |
Nurse Practitioner | $106,750 | $109,410 | $102,850 | $101,190 |
Nurse Anesthetist | $151,070 | $138,660 | $183,000 | Not Available |
Nurse Midwife | $109,640 | $113,470 | Not Available | Not Available |
Careers as a nurse salaries above were retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics – State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Georgia in January 2020.
There are many paths to becoming a nurse in Georgia. 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 Georgia, you’ll find information on acquiring and maintaining several types of Georgia 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 Georgia, please email us at info@nursinglicensemap.com!
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
Compact State Status
Georgia is a Nursing Licensure Compact state.
Prescriptive Authority in Georgia
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health – Prescriptive Authority for APRNs, advanced practice registered nurses may apply for prescriptive authority for Schedule III-V controlled substances in collaboration with a physician.
Nurse Practitioner in Georgia
APRNs in Georgia include: certified nurse-midwife (CNM), nurse practitioner, certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric/mental health (CNM/PMH).
Education: Master’s degree or higher in nursing in a nurse practitioner specialty or graduate level post-master’s certificate in an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) specialty and advanced pharmacology, advanced physical assessment, and pathophysiology coursework.
Examination: Varies for Different Certifications
Certification Required: National Certification in Specialty Area
Fees:
- $75 Application Fee
- Certification Examination Fee (Varies for Different Certifications)
Renewal: Renewal fee of $65 for registered nurses (RNs) and $65 for each advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) authorization. Nurse practitioner license renewals coincide with renewal of registered nurse renewals.
Additional Information: An active Georgia registered nurse license is required for application.
Learn more on how to become a nurse practitioner.
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) in Georgia
Education: Master’s degree or higher in nursing with a concentration in nurse-midwifery and evidence of advanced pharmacology within the curriculum.
Examination: American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) Certification Exam
Certification Required: AMCB Certification
Fees:
- $75 Application Fee
- $500 for AMCB Examination
Renewal: Renewal fee of $65 for registered nurses (RNs) and $65 for each advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) authorization. Certified nurse-midwife licenses expire on January 31st of odd-numbered years.
Additional Information: An active Georgia registered nurse license is required for application.
Learn more on how to become a certified nurse midwife.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) in Georgia
Education: Master’s degree or higher in nursing with a concentration in anesthesia and evidence of advanced pharmacology course.
Examination: National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) Certification Exam
Certification Required: NBCRNA Certification
Fees:
- $75 Application Fee
- $995 for National Certification Exam
Renewal: CRNA renewals coincide with registered nurse license renewals. CRNA authorizations to practice expire on January 31st of odd-numbered years.
Additional Information: An active Georgia registered nurse license is required for application.
Learn more on how to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Georgia
Education: Master’s degree or higher in nursing with specialization as a clinical nurse specialist with evidence of advanced pharmacology, advanced physical assessment, and advanced pathophysiology within the curriculum or separate coursework.
Examination: American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or Georgia-approved national certifying body
Certification Required: National Certification from ANCC or other approved national certifying body.
Fees: $75 Application Fee
Renewal: CNS renewals coincide with registered nurse license renewals.
Additional Information: An active Georgia registered nurse license is required for application.
Learn more on how to become a clinical nurse specialist.
Clinical Nurse Specialist, Psychiatric/Mental Health (CNS/PMH) in Georgia
Education: Master’s degree or higher in nursing with specialization in psychiatric./mental health nursing with a minimum of two graduate courses in psychiatric/mental health nursing with supervised practice and evidence of advanced pharmacology within the curriculum or separate course.
Examination: American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Examination for Clinical Nurse Specialist in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing
Certification Required: National Certification from ANCC
Fees: $75 Application Fee
Renewal: CNS renewals coincide with registered nurse license renewals.
Additional Information: An active Georgia registered nurse license is required for application.
Information for APRNs in Georgia, including nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife (CNM), certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), and clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric/mental health (CNS/PMH) was retrieved from the Rules of Georgia Board of Nursing – Regulation of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, as of January 2020.
Registered Nurse (RN) in Georgia
Education: Completion of an approved nursing education program.
Examination: NCLEX-RN
Fees:
- $40 Application Fee
- $75 Application Fee by Endorsement
- $200 Examination Fee
Endorsement: Individuals licensed as a registered nurse in another state who can provide proof of 500 hours of licensed practice within the four years immediately preceding the date of application or proof of graduation from an approved nursing education program within four years or completion of a Georgia Board of Nursing approved reentry program may be qualified for licensure as a registered nurse by endorsement.
Renewal: RN licenses expire on January 31st of even- or odd-numbered years. Renewal fee of $65 for registered nurses.
Additional Information: Applicants who have completed a nontraditional nursing education program must provide evidence of at least 1,800 hours of nursing practice within the past 3 years.
Learn more on how to become a registered nurse.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Georgia
Education: Completion of an Approved Licensed Practical Nurse Program
Examination: NCLEX-PN
Fees:
- $40 Application Fee
- $75 Application Fee by Endorsement
- $200 Examination Fee
Endorsement: Individuals licensed as a licensed practical nurse in another state who can provide proof of 500 hours of licensed practice within the four years immediately preceding the date of application or proof of graduation from an approved nursing education program within four years or completion of a Georgia Board of Nursing approved reentry program may be qualified for licensure as a registered nurse by endorsement.
Renewal: LPN licenses expire on March 31st of odd-numbered years. Renewal fee of $65 for registered nurses.
Additional Information: Applicants who have completed a nontraditional nursing education program must provide evidence of at least 1,800 hours of nursing practice within the past 3 years.
Learn more on how to become a licensed practical nurse.
Information for registered nurses (RN) and licensed practical nurses (LPN) was retrieved from the Rules of Georgia Board of Nursing, as of January 2020.
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