Become a Nurse in New Hampshire – Licensure & Requirements

^{The graduate-degree requirement for Nurse Practitioner, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and Certified Nurse Midwife licensure is established by New Hampshire RSA 326-B:18.}

New Hampshire Nursing Salaries

^{Nursing salaries above were retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics — State Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, New Hampshire, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, and Manchester-Nashua, NH (May 2025 estimates), retrieved September 2026.}

There are many paths to becoming a nurse in New Hampshire. 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 New Hampshire, you’ll find information on acquiring and maintaining several types of New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire, please email us at info@nursinglicensemap.com!

Compact State Status

New Hampshire is a Nursing Licensure Compact state, per the Nurse Licensure Compact administrator and New Hampshire RSA 326-B compact provisions.

Prescriptive Authority in New Hampshire

According to New Hampshire RSA 326-B:11 – Scope of Practice and Authority; Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, licensed advanced practice registered nurses have plenary authority to prescribe controlled and noncontrolled drugs within their scope of practice, including Schedule II-V controlled substances. Prescription of non-controlled medications is determined by APRN education and competency and scope of practice based on certification of specialty. Effective August 2025, APRNs may also prescribe Schedule II-IV controlled substances via telemedicine, subject to a follow-up evaluation at intervals of no less than annually.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in New Hampshire

APRNs in New Hampshire include nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, and certified registered nurse anesthetist.

Education: Accredited advanced practice registered nurse education program, per New Hampshire RSA 326-B:18.

Examination: Varies for Different Certifications

Fees:

Application and renewal fees are set by New Hampshire Plc 1002.33; the background check fee is confirmed by current OPLC background-check instructions.

Experience: 400 hours of clinical practice within the past 4 years, 225 hours of theoretical nursing coursework, 480 hours of supervised clinical practice (both requirements may be fulfilled through master’s degree program transcript), some certifications may impose additional experience requirements.

Certification Required: Current certification from a board-recognized certifying body under New Hampshire Plc 313.43, including AANPCB, AACN, AMCB, ANCC, NBCCRNA, NCC, or PNCB.

Additional Information: An Active New Hampshire Registered Nurse License Is Required for Application.

Renewal: Four hundred hours of active practice in specialty must be completed for renewal eligibility. Educational requirements include completion of 60 board-approved continuing education hours, 30 of which are for the registered nurse (RN) requirement, with an additional 20 hours related to nursing specialty and five continuing education units (CEUs) related to pharmacology. For licensees with an active DEA # for prescribing in New Hampshire 3 of the 5 hours must address opioid prescribing, pain management, or substance abuse disorder. These requirements are in addition to any national certifications held and requirements per that certifying body. A fee of $100 per renewal period is required. (Source: New Hampshire Nursing Rules, Nur 100-800.)

Learn more on how to become an advanced practice registered nurse.

Registered Nurse (RN) in New Hampshire

Education: Completion of an Approved Registered Nurse Program

Examination: NCLEX-RN

Fees:

Application and renewal fees are set by New Hampshire Plc 1002.33; the examination fee is confirmed by NCLEX fees and payment; the background check fee is confirmed by current OPLC background-check instructions.

Endorsement: Individuals with equivalent licensure in another state may apply for licensure through endorsement, subject to a $120 application fee and $48.25 background check fee.

Endorsement applicants must provide proof of at least 400 hours using nursing knowledge, judgment, and skills within the past 4 years, and 30 contact hours of continuing education within the past 2 years. Registered nurses who hold an active license in another compact state need not apply for licensure in New Hampshire, unless they plan to change their permanent residency to New Hampshire.

Renewal: Educational requirements include completion of 30 continuing education hours. A fee of $80 per renewal period is required. (Source: New Hampshire Nursing Rules, Nur 100-800.)

Learn more on how to become a registered nurse.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in New Hampshire

Education: Completion of an Approved Licensed Practical Nurse Program

Examination: NCLEX-PN

Fees:

Application and renewal fees are set by New Hampshire Plc 1002.33; the examination fee is confirmed by NCLEX fees and payment; the background check fee is confirmed by current OPLC background-check instructions.

Endorsement: Individuals with equivalent licensure in another state may apply for licensure through endorsement, subject to a $120 application fee and $48.25 background check fee.

Endorsement applicants must provide proof of at least 400 hours using nursing knowledge, judgment, and skills within the past 4 years, and 30 contact hours of continuing education within the past 2 years. Licensed practical nurses who hold an active license in another compact state need not apply for licensure in New Hampshire, unless they plan to change their permanent residency to New Hampshire.

Renewal: Educational requirements include completion of 30 continuing education hours. A fee of $80 per renewal period is required. (Source: New Hampshire Nursing Rules, Nur 100-800.)

Learn more on how to become a licensed practical nurse.

Information Disclosure:

Prescriptive-authority information above reflects New Hampshire RSA 326-B:11 as amended through August 2025.