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.
Nursing Licenses in Virginia | Master’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 Career | State-Wide Annual Mean Wage | Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC Annual Mean Wage | Richmond Annual Mean Wage | Washington-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!
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
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.
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: April 2020