Become a Nurse in Pennsylvania – Licensure & Requirements
Nursing requirements change rapidly. Make sure to confirm licensing requirements with the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing before applying for licensure.
Nursing Licenses in Pennsylvania | Master’s Required? |
|---|---|
Nurse Practitioner (NP) | Yes |
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) | Yes |
Registered Nurse (RN) | No |
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | No |
Pennsylvania Nursing Salaries
PA Nurse Career | State-Wide Annual Mean Wage | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Annual Mean Wage | Pittsburgh Annual Mean Wage | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Licensed Practical Nurse | $48,120 | $55,360 | $44,880 | $49,820 |
Registered Nurse | $70,390 | $77,680 | $66,250 | $67,700 |
Nurse Practitioner | $98,250 | $106,690 | $94,720 | $101,370 |
Nurse Anesthetist | $171,250 | $177,120 | $177,190 | $151,410 |
Nurse Midwife | $96,710 | $98,480 | $65,460 | Not Available |
Careers as a nurse salaries above were retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics – State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Pennsylvania in March 2020.
There are many paths to become a nurse in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania, you’ll find information on acquiring and maintaining several types of Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania, 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
Pennsylvania has enacted the Nurse License Compact legislation but is awaiting implementation, as of September 2021.
Prescriptive Authority in Pennsylvania
Certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs) may apply for prescriptive authority for Schedule II-V controlled substances in collaboration with a physician. CRNPs must provide proof of completion of 45 hours of coursework related to pharmacology as a part of the CRNP education program or another program approved by the board. The coursework must be a part of a program that is at the advanced level and has been completed within the last five years before application. An application for prescriptive authority is $95.
Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) in Pennsylvania
Education: Completed an accredited, board-approved master’s or postmaster’s nurse practitioner program.
Examination: Varies for Different Certifications
Certification: National Certification as a Nurse Practitioner
Fees:
- $100 for In-State Nursing Programs
- $140 for Out-of-State Nursing Programs
Additional Information: An active Pennsylvania registered nurse license is required for application.
Renewal: CRNP certifications are renewed biennially and require a fee of $81 for the certification and an additional $41 for prescriptive authority. CRNP certifications expire at the same time as the RN licenses. CRNPs must provide proof of at least 30 hours of continuing education within the last two years with 16 of the 30 in pharmacology for prescriptive authority CRNPs.
Learn more on how to become a nurse practitioner.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Pennsylvania
Education: Completed program with a master’s, doctorate, or post-master’s certification in nursing recognized for national certification in clinical nurse specialist.
Examination: National certification examination for clinical nurse specialists.
Certification: National Certification as a Clinical Nurse Specialist
Fees:
- $115 Certification Fee
Additional Information: An active Pennsylvania registered nurse license is required for application.
Renewal: CNS certification is renewed biennially. CNSs must provide proof of 30 continuing education hours within the last two years. CNS licensure expires at the same time as a CNS’s professional nursing license. Fees for renewal at $56.
Learn more on how to become a clinical nurse specialist.
Registered Nurse (RN) in Pennsylvania
Education: Completion of an Approved Registered Nurse Program
Examination: NCLEX-RN
Fees:
- $95 Licensure by Examination – In-State
- $115 Licensure by Examination – Out-of-State
- $120 Licensure by Endorsement
- $145 Licensure by Endorsement with Examination
- $200 Examination Fee
Renewal: Renewal of RN licenses occur biennially and require a fee of $122.
Endorsement: RNs who have obtained licensure in another state as a result of application and completion of an approved professional nursing education program in the U.S. or Canada are able to apply for licensure by endorsement in Pennsylvania.
Learn more on how to become a registered nurse.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Pennsylvania
Education: Completion of an Approved Licensed Practical Nurse Program
Examination: NCLEX-PN
Fees:
- $95 Licensure by Examination – In-State
- $115 Licensure by Examination – Out-of-State
- $120 Licensure by Endorsement
- $145 Licensure by Endorsement with Examination
Renewal: Renewal of LPN licenses occur biennially and require a fee of $76.
Endorsement: LPNss who have obtained licensure in another state as a result of application and completion of an approved professional nursing education program in the U.S. or Canada are able to apply for licensure by endorsement in Pennsylvania.
Learn more on how to become a licensed practical nurse.
Information on the above nursing careers in Pennsylvania was retrieved from Pennsylvania Code – State Board of Nursing 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