Professional Role & Scope

Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, and Education — the four pillars that regulate APRN practice consistently across states.

Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM), and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS).

Family/individual across the lifespan, adult-gerontology, neonatal, pediatrics, women's health/gender-related, and psychiatric-mental health.

Individuals and families across the entire lifespan — from newborns through older adults — emphasizing primary care and health promotion.

State law permits NPs to evaluate, diagnose, order/interpret tests, and initiate/manage treatments — including prescribing — independently under the licensing board's authority, with no required physician oversight.

State law reduces the NP's ability to engage in at least one element of practice; a collaborative agreement with another health provider (usually a physician) is required for the NP to provide care.