Become a Nurse in New Hampshire – Licensure & Requirements

Nursing requirements change rapidly. Make sure to confirm licensing requirements with the New Hampshire Board of Nursing before applying for licensure. Last updated: 1/28/2020

Nursing Licenses in New HampshireMaster’s Required?
Adult or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Yes
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Yes
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
Yes
Registered Nurse (RN)
No
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
No
Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA)
No

New Hampshire Nursing Salaries

NH Nurse CareerState-Wide Annual Mean WageBoston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH Annual Mean WageDover-Durham, NH-ME Annual Mean WageManchester Annual Mean Wage
Licensed Practical Nurse
$52,510
$61,150
$53,870
$55,460
Registered Nurse
$72,760
$95,270
$70,100
$73,250
Nurse Practitioner
$109,460
$124,490
$117,890
$112,170
Nurse Anesthetist
$171,800
$194,200
Not Available
Not Available
Nurse Midwife
$105,120
$119,690
Not Available
Not Available

Careers as a nurse salaries above were retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics – State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates New Hampshire in January 2020.

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!

Sponsored online nursing programs

Simmons University

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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

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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

St. John Fisher University

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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. 

  • Part-time and accelerated tracks available
  • Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP

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Compact State Status

New Hampshire is a Nursing Licensure Compact state.

Prescriptive Authority in New Hampshire

According to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing – APRN Medication Position Statement, advanced practice registered nurses may apply for prescriptive authority for Schedule II-V controlled substances. Prescription of controlled Schedule II-IV drugs requires a valid DEA individual or group registration number. Prescription of non-controlled medications is determined by APRN education and competency and scope of practice based on certification of specialty.

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

Examination: Varies for Different Certifications

Fees:

  • $100 Application Fee
  • $48.25 Background Check Fee
  • Examination Fee (Varies for Different Certifications)

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:

  • Adult or Family Nurse Practitioner from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
  • Nurse Practitioner Certification from American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)
  • National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing Specialties
  • Certified Nurse Midwife from (ACNM)
  • Nurse Anesthetist from Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists.

Please note that the certification requirement may be waived for individuals who have obtained their master’s degrees within the past two years.

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.

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:

  • $120 Application Fee
  • $200 Examination Fee
  • $48.25 Background Check Fee

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.

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:

  • $120 Application Fee
  • $200 Examination Fee
  • $48.25 Background Check Fee

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.

Learn more on how to become a licensed practical nurse.

Information on the above nursing careers in New Hampshire was retrieved from the New Hampshire Board of Nursing, as of January 2020.

Sponsored online nursing programs

Simmons University

info

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

info

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

St. John Fisher University

info

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. 

  • Part-time and accelerated tracks available
  • Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP

info SPONSORED