Become a Nurse in New Jersey – Licensure & Requirements
Nursing requirements change rapidly. Make sure to confirm licensing requirements with the New Jersey Board of Nursing before applying for licensure.
Nursing Licenses in New Jersey | Advanced Degree Required? |
|---|---|
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)¹ | Yes |
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | Yes |
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) | Yes |
Nurse Practitioner (NP) | Yes |
Registered Nurse (RN) | No |
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | No |
Source: New Jersey Board of Nursing — Advanced Practice Nurse Certification (NP, CNS, CRNA).
¹ CNM is licensed by the Midwifery Liaison Committee, State Board of Medical Examiners. New Jersey requires national certification through AMCB, which has required a graduate degree for CNM certification eligibility since January 1, 2011.
New Jersey Nursing Salaries
NJ Nurse Career | New Jersey Median Annual Wage² | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ Median Annual Wage³ | Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ Median Annual Wage⁴ | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Median Annual Wage⁵ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Licensed Practical Nurse | $75,160 | $75,910 | $69,150 | $70,710 |
Registered Nurse | $106,500 | $119,720 | $99,320 | $101,180 |
Nurse Practitioner | $159,310 | $163,340 | $143,330 | $135,700 |
Nurse Anesthetist | $291,350 | $321,030 | Not Available | $238,540 |
Nurse Midwife | $153,970 | $159,730 | Not Available | $77,620 |
² New Jersey OEWS, May 2025 · ³ New York-Newark-Jersey City OEWS, May 2025 · ⁴ Atlantic City-Hammonton OEWS, May 2025 · ⁵ Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington OEWS, May 2025
The nurse wage estimates above are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) median annual wages, May 2025.
There are many paths to becoming a nurse in New Jersey. 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 Jersey, you’ll find information on acquiring and maintaining several types of New Jersey 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 Jersey, 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
New Jersey is a fully implemented member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, effective November 15, 2021, allowing eligible New Jersey nurses to hold a multistate license valid for practice in other Compact member states. (Board status).
Prescriptive Authority in New Jersey
According to the New Jersey Board of Nursing, advanced practice nurses may apply for prescriptive authority for controlled substances in collaboration with a physician. Prescribing controlled substances additionally requires separate New Jersey CDS registration ($40 fee) and federal DEA registration.
Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) in New Jersey
APNs in New Jersey include nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and certified registered nurse anesthetists.
Education: Master’s-Level Nursing Program, Including a Course in Pharmacology
Examination: Varies for Different Certifications
Certification Required: National certification in relevant nursing field, which must include the highest level certification examination for that field.
Fees:
- $100 Application Fee
- $80/$160 Certificate Fee (Depending on the Expiration of Registered Professional Nurse License)
- Examination Fee (Varies for Different Certifications)
Experience: Varies for Different Certifications
Additional Information: An Active New Jersey Registered Nurse License Is Required for Application.
Renewal: Renewal fee is $160.
Learn more on how to become an advanced practice registered nurse.
Registered Nurse (RN) in New Jersey
Education: Completion of an Approved Registered Nurse Program
Examination: NCLEX-RN
Fees:
- $75 Application Fee
- $120 License Fee
- $5 Alternative to Discipline Fee
- $200 NCLEX-RN Examination Fee (paid to the testing vendor, Pearson VUE — not a Board fee)
Endorsement: Individuals with equivalent licensure in another state may apply for licensure through endorsement, subject to a $200 application fee and $58.69 fingerprinting fee.
Renewal: Renewal fee is $120 (plus a separate $5 Alternative to Discipline fee).
Learn more on how to become a registered nurse.
Information Disclosure:
Application, license and renewal fees per N.J. Admin. Code § 13:37-5.5(a); endorsement fees per njconsumeraffairs.gov — Instructions for Licensure by Endorsement; NCLEX-RN fee per nclex.com.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in New Jersey
Education: Completion of an Approved Licensed Practical Nurse Program
Examination: NCLEX-PN
Fees:
- $75 Application Fee
- $120 License Fee
- $5 Alternative to Discipline Fee
- $200 NCLEX-PN Examination Fee (paid to the testing vendor, Pearson VUE — not a Board fee)
Endorsement: Individuals with equivalent licensure in another state may apply for licensure through endorsement, subject to a $200 application fee and $58.69 fingerprinting fee.
Renewal: Renewal fee is $120 (plus a separate $5 Alternative to Discipline fee).
Learn more on how to become a licensed practical nurse.
Information Disclosure:
Application, license and renewal fees per N.J. Admin. Code § 13:37-5.5(a); endorsement fees per njconsumeraffairs.gov — Instructions for Licensure by Endorsement; NCLEX-PN fee per nclex.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
Information last updated: September 2026