Become a Nurse in North Carolina – Licensure & Requirements
Nursing requirements change rapidly. Make sure to confirm licensing requirements with the North Carolina Board of Nursing before applying for licensure.
Nursing Licenses in North Carolina | Master’s Required? |
|---|---|
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | Yes |
Nurse Practitioner (NP) | Yes |
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) | Yes |
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) | No |
Registered Nurse (RN) | No |
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | No |
Nurse Aide II | No |
North Carolina Nursing Salaries
NC Nurse Career | State-Wide Annual Mean Wage | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia Annual Mean Wage | Durham-Chapel Hill Annual Mean Wage | Raleigh Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Licensed Practical Nurse | $44,610 | $44,930 | $47,540 | $45,120 |
Registered Nurse | $64,850 | $64,170 | $67,030 | $64,860 |
Nurse Practitioner | $104,100 | $103,840 | $102,930 | $101,680 |
Nurse Anesthetist | $178,250 | $201,460 | Not Available | $162,030 |
Nurse Midwife | $106,570 | $122,400 | Not Available | Not Available |
Careers as a nurse salaries above were retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics – State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates North Carolina in March 2020.
There are many paths to become a nurse in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina, you’ll find information on acquiring and maintaining several types of North Carolina 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 North Carolina, 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
North Carolina is a Nursing Licensure Compact state.
Prescriptive Authority in North Carolina
Nurse Practitioner Prescriptive Authority is included in application for the specialty for prescriptive authority for Schedule II-V controlled substances in collaboration with a physician. Prescriptions must show the collaborating physician’s name, and limitations of refill authority apply.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in North Carolina
APRNs are defined in North Carolina as nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse-midwives, and clinical nurse specialists.
Education: Completed graduate-level education nursing program within an APRN role
Examination: Varies for different APRN careers and specialties.
Certification: Nationally recognized board certification within your APRN role.
Fees:
- Nurse Practitioner: Registration – $25 and Initial Approval to Practice – $100 for Non-Volunteer Status or $20 for Volunteer Status
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist: Initial Recognition – $25
- Certified Nurse Midwife: Registration and Initial Approval to Practice – $100
- Clinical Nurse Specialist: No Fees
Additional Information: An active registered nurse license is required for application.
Renewal: All APRNs in North Carolina must maintain their national certification as the renewal process is determined by the board of nursing. Nurse practitioners must also pay a $10-$50 fee depending on position status, Cenas have a renewal fee of $25 and CNMs pay a $50 renewal fee.
Learn more about advanced practice registered nursing.
Information for the above APRN careers in North Carolina was retrieved from the North Carolina Board of Nursing – APRN General Information as of March 2020.
Registered Nurse (RN) in North Carolina
Education: Completion of a board approved registered nurse education program.
Examination: NCLEX-RN
Fees:
- $75 Licensure by Examination, or
- $150 Licensure by Endorsement
- $200 Examination Free
Renewal: Upon license renewal or reinstatement, all RNs will be required to complete a self-assessment of practice, develop a learning plan, and complete one of the approved learning options during the preceding renewal cycle or prior to reinstatement of license. There is a $100 renewal fee.
Learn more on how to become a registered nurse.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in North Carolina
Education: Completion of a board approved registered nurse education program.
Examination: NCLEX-PN
Fees:
- $75 Licensure by Examination, or
- $150 Licensure by Endorsement
- $200 Examination Free
Renewal: Upon license renewal or reinstatement, all LPNs will be required to complete a self-assessment of practice, develop a learning plan, and complete one of the approved learning options during the preceding renewal cycle or prior to reinstatement of license. There is a $100 renewal fee.
Learn more on how to become a licensed practical nurse.
Information for RN and LPN in North Carolina was retrieved from the North Carolina Board of Nursing Licensure Review for RN/LPN as of March 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: March 2020