Become a Nurse in Virginia – Licensure & Requirements

Nursing requirements change rapidly. Make sure to confirm licensing requirements with the Virginia Board of Nursing before applying for licensure. Last updated: 4/3/2020

Nursing Licenses in VirginiaMaster’s Required?
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Yes
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Yes
Clinical Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Yes
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
Yes
Registered Nurse (RN)
No
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
No
Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)
No

Virginia Nursing Salaries

VA Nurse CareerState-Wide Annual Mean WageVirginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC Annual Mean WageRichmond Annual Mean WageWashington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Annual Mean Wage
Licensed Practical Nurse
$46,070
$43,290
$46,130
$54,940
Registered Nurse
$71,870
$69,770
$73,500
$83,370
Nurse Practitioner
$109,110
$107,100
$112,310
$113,920
Nurse Anesthetist
$180,120
$188,840
$188,580
$173,340
Nurse Midwife
$94,920
$95,640
$109,550
$103,700

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

There are many paths to becoming a nurse in Virginia. The one you take will mostly depend on the type of nurse you’d like to become and your current or prospective level of education. The more education, the more opportunities you’ll have to choose where and how you pursue your career in nursing.

In addition to nursing salaries in Virginia, you’ll find information on acquiring and maintaining several types of Virginia nursing licenses on this page. We’re constantly making updates, but with the speed of change in healthcare, it’s sometimes difficult to stay current. If you have any comments or suggestions for our information on nursing in Virginia, 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

Virginia is a Nursing Licensure Compact state.

Prescriptive Authority in Virginia

In Virginia, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) may apply for prescriptive authority of controlled substances under schedules II to V in collaboration with physicians. APRNs applying for authority must provide proof of continued professional certification as a nurse practitioner, completion of a graduate course in pharmacology or pharmacotherapeutics as a part of their nurse practitioner program, practice as a nurse practitioner for at least 1000 hours with 15 continuing education units, or 30 hours of education in pharmacology or pharmacotherapeutics within five years of application.

Nurse Practitioner in Virginia

Education: Graduate degree program in nursing designed to prepare nurse practitioners

Examination: Varies according to specialty area, but must be nationally recognized and accepted by the board.

Certification Required: Varies according to specialty area, but must include Registered Nurse license

Fees: $125 Application

Endorsement: Nurse practitioners may apply for licensure by endorsement in Virginia with the following: verification of licensure in another state, evidence of a professional certification within the specialty area, submission of application and fee, and transcripts with core coursework.

Renewal: Nurse practitioner licenses in Virginia expire biennially. For all nurses licensed after May 8, 2002, submission of proof of current professional certification in the area of speciality is required.

Learn more on how to become a nurse practitioner.

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Virginia

Education: Graduate-level clinical nurse specialist program

Examination: Varies according to specialty area

Certification Required: National Clinical Nurse Specialist Certification and valid license to practice professional nursing

Fees: $130 Registration

Renewal: Clinical Nurse Specialist licenses in Virginia expire biennially.

Learn more on how to become a clinical nurse specialist.

Clinical Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) in Virginia

Education: Graduate degree program in nursing designed to prepare Nurse Anesthetists

Examination: Examination from the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).

Certification Required: Certification from the NBCRNA and current Registered Nurse license

Fees: $125 Application Fee

Renewal: Certified registered nurse anesthetist licenses in Virginia expire biennially.

Learn more on how to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) in Virginia

Education: Graduate degree program in nursing designed to prepare Nurse Midwives

Examination: Examination by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB)

Certification Required: Certification from the AMCB and current Registered Nurse license

Fees: $125 Application Fee

Renewal: Certified Nurse Midwife licenses in Virginia expire biennially.

Learn more on how to become a certified nurse midwife.

Registered Nurse (RN) in Virginia

Education: Approved professional nursing education program

Examination: NCLEX-RN

Fees:

  • $190 Application
  • $200 Examination

Endorsement: Registered nurses may apply for licensure by endorsement in Virginia with proof of completion of an approved nursing education program and a completed application with appropriate fee.

Renewal: Registered nurse licenses in Virginia expire biennially on even-numbered years for those born in even-numbered years and odd-numbered years for those born in an odd-numbered year.

Learn more on how to become a registered nurse.

Information on the above nursing careers in Virginia was retrieved from the Virginia Board of Nursing Regulations as of April 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