Cost of getting an NP license

So you’ve gone to school, passed your final exams, graduated, and now you are ready to officially get your NP license. But…as you start looking at your checklist of things to do, you start seeing how much it will cost just to get your license and certification. So, let’s go over it all together.

Certification Exam

First, you have to schedule to take your NP board exam. That alone is $300-400 depending on which certification company you use. I chose to take it through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), but there is also the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). There might be a slight discount if you are a member of one of the nursing groups, but membership can cost $150-200 per year, so keep that in mind. If you think you will be an active member, then it might be worth it to get a membership and get a discount on the exam.

Exam Prep

Now that you have thought about getting your exam scheduled, you think about how you are going to prepare for the exam. Free practice tests? Review books? Online review courses? Your preparation is your decision, but I highly suggest taking an extensive in-person or online review course. The exam is not only about knowing facts but knowing how to get to the answer and which is BEST, not just right (because there is often more than one right answer). Review courses will go over important information based on the exam outline and work through the process and critical thinking for how you get to the best answer. These review courses can cost a few hundred dollars (or more!).

Here are just a few options: -Advanced Practice Education Associates (APEA) in person $600, online $400. These courses come with a few printed study materials. -Fitzgerald Health Education Associates (FHEA) $600 to $1100 depending on if you want a live stream or in person. Most packages come with printed materials as well. There are more study materials such as cue cards, review books, and practice question books that range from $35 to $100. -American Nurses Association (ANA) offers an online review course for $300-400 with extra review materials anywhere from $50-$150.

It is your choice on how much you want to prepare and how much you want to spend on studying, but taking a review course will help you be successful on the exam (and often on the first try).

License Application through the State Board of Nursing

Each state has its own board of nursing for which you have to actually apply for licensure. You can apply before or after your exam but it won’t be issued until you have passed the certification exam. This application fee in Arizona is $150. You may have to add the prescribing/dispensing fee and a fingerprinting fee which can add up to a couple hundred dollars or more. If you are applying for a license in another state, you may have to pay the RN license fee AND the NP license fee. Arizona is part of the compact states so an RN license will transfer over to many states, but the NP certification you have to apply for in each state (such as if you want to travel or if you are moving). The APRN compact (which would allow one APRN license for multiple states) has been adopted but has not been implemented because only four states have enacted the legislation so far. Hopefully, more states will jump on board in the near future, but as for now, an NP certification is required for each state.

DEA fee

Now that you have your license, it is not necessary to apply for a DEA (Drug Enforcement Act) certificate; however, most employers want you to have one. For those of you who don’t know what a DEA certificate is, it allows you to prescribe/dispense controlled substances. It also allows for tracking how much you prescribe. You apply for a certificate at https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/index.html. The current cost is $888 for an NP for 3 years for each state. So again, if you want to travel or you are moving, you have to reapply for that state. Some employers may reimburse the application fee. You can pay for it upfront before you interview that way you can put it on your resume/CV, or when you are going through the interview process, ask the employer if they will reimburse you.

Time

This part isn’t necessarily costing you money up front but it takes a lot of time to research your options, complete applications, and make phone calls or emails if you need guidance. Your time is worth something so it does add to the costs.

I hope this helps you as you are finishing school or just getting an idea of everything that you have to do in order to become a nurse practitioner. A lot of time and money goes into becoming an NP and getting a license to practice as an APRN, but it is definitely worth it in the end.