Roadmap to licensure

As graduation nears, I am finding that the necessary hoops to jump through for liscensure are many and somewhat vague. Unable to find a definitive list of the steps to go through, I created one myself. It is not perfect, and may need to be tweaked for the state you live in. Feel free to use it, pass it on. Hand it out to your friends. Use it to track  your progress. As this bus nears the end of its journey, it sometimes helps to have a sherpa.

Roadmap to Licensure – FNP

		When
	FNP program	Choose your school wisely – know your requirements for graduation – work your program
	Apply for graduation	Your school will notify you of eligibility
	Arrange for official transcripts ·        Yourself ·        State board of nursing ·        Certifying body	Prior to graduation if possible. Cost varies by school
	Apply to state board of nursing for APRN license ·        Application ·        Fingerprints ·        transcripts	2-4 months before graduation. You will need employer info, school info. Fingerprints can take up to 8 weeks to complete the background check. Your school will need to transmit official transcripts. Cost varies by state
	Apply for certification exam ·        ANCC ·        AANP	Up to six months before you intend to test. You will need program information, hours completed, class information for core classes from unofficial transcript, preceptor information. Your school will need to transmit letter of completion and official transcripts. Cost varies by certifying body
	Graduate	Hooray! You made it. Take a deep breath, then start studying for your exam.
	Schedule and take exam	You can do this.
	DEA registration	Takes 4-6 weeks to process. You will need a job for this application. Requires state license number. Cost $731 https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugreg/index.html#regapps
	NPI number	Needed to bill CMS for services. Takes 1-21 days to process. https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/#/
	State registry	Varies by state
	Accept position	Congratulations, you have a job!
	Accreditation	Usually handled by your clinic, can take 2-6 months to process.