Pick a state above to see its NP practice authority, licensing board, and prescriptive rules — each with its source and the date we last verified it.
State law requires a career-long regulated collaborative agreement with another health provider for the NP to provide patient care, or limits at least one element of NP practice.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Reduced-practice state: NPs (CRNPs) practice under a required collaborative relationship with a physician; AANP notes CE must cover the rules governing collaborative practice.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: Alaska statute defines an APRN as a "licensed independent practitioner" certified to diagnose and to prescribe and dispense medical, therapeutic, or corrective measures under board regulations.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: NPs evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe under the exclusive licensure authority of the Board of Nursing, with no required physician collaboration.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Arkansas
Reduced Practice State law requires a career-long regulated collaborative agreement with another health provider for the NP to provide patient care, or limits at least one element of NP practice.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Reduced-practice state: the Board issues certificates of prescriptive authority to eligible APRNs, who must complete additional pharmacotherapeutics CE each renewal.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → California
Restricted Practice State law requires career-long supervision, delegation, or team management by another health provider for the NP to provide patient care.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Restricted-practice state: NPs work under physician-developed standardized procedures and hold furnishing (prescriptive) authority; 2020 legislation (AB 890) added a pathway toward more independent practice for qualifying NPs.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: APRNs may practice independently, but prescriptive authority (RXN) is a separate credential requiring 750 mentored experience hours and an individual DEA registration.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Connecticut
Full Practice Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: NPs may evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe, but must practice in collaboration with a physician for a transition period of at least three years and 2,000 hours (C.G.S.A. §20-87a).
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: NPs may evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe medications and therapeutic measures, with no physician collaboration, supervision, or transition-to-practice requirement.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → District of Columbia
Full Practice Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice jurisdiction: NPs evaluate, diagnose, prescribe (including controlled substances), and manage treatment under the exclusive licensure authority of the Board of Nursing.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Florida
Restricted Practice State law requires career-long supervision, delegation, or team management by another health provider for the NP to provide patient care.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Restricted-practice state: APRNs practice under a physician protocol unless they register as an Autonomous APRN, which requires at least 3,000 clinical hours under physician supervision within the past 5 years.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Georgia
Restricted Practice State law requires career-long supervision, delegation, or team management by another health provider for the NP to provide patient care.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Restricted-practice state: APRNs prescribe only under a nurse protocol agreement with a delegating physician, which the physician (not the APRN) must initiate.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: qualified APRNs may independently diagnose, prescribe, and administer OTC, legend, and controlled substances within their specialty, with no physician supervision (HRS 457-8.6).
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: an APRN may prescribe, administer, and dispense pharmacologic agents and collaborates with other health professionals, with no physician supervision required (Idaho Code 54-1402).
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Illinois
Reduced Practice State law requires a career-long regulated collaborative agreement with another health provider for the NP to provide patient care, or limits at least one element of NP practice.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Reduced-practice state: APRNs need a written collaborative agreement with a physician unless granted Full Practice Authority, which requires at least 4,000 hours of post-certification clinical experience.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → State law requires a career-long regulated collaborative agreement with another health provider for the NP to provide patient care, or limits at least one element of NP practice.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Reduced-practice state: NPs must maintain a career-long collaborative agreement with another provider to deliver care, including prescribing.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: ARNPs may evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe (including controlled substances) under the exclusive licensure authority of the board, with no collaborative agreement required.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state (since 2022): APRNs may diagnose and prescribe under the exclusive licensure authority of the board, with no collaborative agreement required.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Kentucky
Reduced Practice State law requires a career-long regulated collaborative agreement with another health provider for the NP to provide patient care, or limits at least one element of NP practice.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Reduced-practice state: NPs must maintain a collaborative agreement with a physician to practice and to prescribe.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Louisiana
Reduced Practice State law requires a career-long regulated collaborative agreement with another health provider for the NP to provide patient care, or limits at least one element of NP practice.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Reduced-practice state: APRNs may exercise prescriptive authority only under a written collaborative practice agreement, with the collaborating physician available for consultation.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: an APRN is a licensed independent practitioner who may prescribe and dispense drugs or devices in accordance with board rules.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: NPs may evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe; new NPs must declare an 18-month mentorship with a certified NP or physician (Md. Health Occ. §8-302.1).
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Massachusetts
Full Practice Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: APRNs obtain authorization from the Board of Registration in Nursing, then separately register prescriptive authority with the Massachusetts Drug Control Program.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Michigan
Restricted Practice State law requires career-long supervision, delegation, or team management by another health provider for the NP to provide patient care.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Restricted-practice state: APRNs may prescribe non-controlled drugs without delegation, but prescribing controlled substances (schedules 2–5) requires a written delegation agreement with a physician.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: NPs may evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe, but must complete a transition-to-practice period of at least 2,080 hours in a collaborative agreement with a physician or APRN (Minn. Stat. §148.211).
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Mississippi
Reduced Practice State law requires a career-long regulated collaborative agreement with another health provider for the NP to provide patient care, or limits at least one element of NP practice.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Reduced-practice state: NPs must practice within a board-approved collaborative relationship with a Mississippi-licensed physician or dentist.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Missouri
Restricted Practice State law requires career-long supervision, delegation, or team management by another health provider for the NP to provide patient care.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Restricted-practice state: NPs must maintain a career-long collaborative practice arrangement with a physician as a condition of licensure, with ratio, chart-review, and controlled-substance limits.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: NPs may evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe medications and therapeutic measures, with no physician collaboration or supervision required.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Pending change Effective July 1, 2026, NP licensure transfers to the Nebraska Board of Nursing (LB 346).
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: NPs may evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe after completing a 2,000-hour transition-to-practice period under a supervising provider.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: NPs prescribe medications and controlled substances under the exclusive licensure authority of the Board of Nursing.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → New Hampshire
Full Practice Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: NPs prescribe under the exclusive licensure authority of the Board of Nursing.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → New Jersey
Reduced Practice State law requires a career-long regulated collaborative agreement with another health provider for the NP to provide patient care, or limits at least one element of NP practice.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Reduced-practice state: NPs prescribe in collaboration with a physician (a joint protocol / collaborating relationship).
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: a certified nurse practitioner makes independent decisions and, when qualified, may independently prescribe dangerous drugs and Schedule II–V controlled substances within the specialty (NMAC 16.12.2.12).
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: NPs may practice and prescribe independently after completing more than 3,600 hours of qualifying experience; below that threshold a written collaborative agreement with a physician is required (NP Modernization Act).
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → North Carolina
Restricted Practice State law requires career-long supervision, delegation, or team management by another health provider for the NP to provide patient care.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Restricted-practice state: NPs must register a primary supervising physician and maintain a signed collaborative practice agreement; prescriptive authority is exercised under that agreement.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → North Dakota
Full Practice Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: NPs may evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe (including controlled substances) under the exclusive licensure authority of the Board of Nursing.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → State law requires a career-long regulated collaborative agreement with another health provider for the NP to provide patient care, or limits at least one element of NP practice.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Reduced-practice state: NPs must maintain a career-long standard care arrangement with a collaborating physician or podiatrist (R.C. §4723.43).
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Oklahoma
Restricted Practice State law requires career-long supervision, delegation, or team management by another health provider for the NP to provide patient care.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Restricted-practice state: NPs need documented physician supervision as a condition of prescriptive authority and cannot prescribe Schedule II controlled substances.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: NPs may evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe medications and therapeutic measures (O.R.S. §678.375).
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Pennsylvania
Reduced Practice State law requires a career-long regulated collaborative agreement with another health provider for the NP to provide patient care, or limits at least one element of NP practice.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Reduced-practice state: a CRNP with prescriptive authority must maintain a written prescriptive-authority collaborative agreement with a collaborating physician (49 Pa. Code §21.251).
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Rhode Island
Full Practice Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: a certified nurse practitioner has independent practice with prescriptive privileges and may work without a formal collaborative agreement (216-RICR-40-05-3.2).
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → South Carolina
Restricted Practice State law requires career-long supervision, delegation, or team management by another health provider for the NP to provide patient care.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Restricted-practice state: NPs must have a practice agreement with a physician as a condition of providing delegated acts, with supply limits on scheduled controlled substances.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → South Dakota
Full Practice Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: NPs may evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe after completing 1,040 hours under a written collaborative agreement (transition to practice).
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Tennessee
Restricted Practice State law requires career-long supervision, delegation, or team management by another health provider for the NP to provide patient care.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Restricted-practice state: NPs practice under physician supervision and face Schedule II–IV prescribing limits unless authorized by formulary or after physician consultation.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Texas
Restricted Practice State law requires career-long supervision, delegation, or team management by another health provider for the NP to provide patient care.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Restricted-practice state: NPs require physician delegation and supervision and career-long written protocols; Schedule II prescriptive authority is allowed only in select settings.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: NPs may evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe medications and therapeutic measures, with no required physician collaboration.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: NPs prescribe independently, but those with under 24 months and 2,400 hours of active practice need a collaborating agreement (transition to practice).
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Virginia
Restricted Practice State law requires career-long supervision, delegation, or team management by another health provider for the NP to provide patient care.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Restricted-practice state: NPs maintain a practice agreement with a patient-care-team physician unless they attest to the equivalent of three years of full-time clinical experience (autonomous-practice pathway).
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: NPs (ARNPs) may evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe medications and therapeutic measures independently.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → West Virginia
Reduced Practice State law requires a career-long regulated collaborative agreement with another health provider for the NP to provide patient care, or limits at least one element of NP practice.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Reduced-practice state: NPs need a collaborative agreement with a physician for prescriptive practice for three years, with a three-day supply limit on Schedule II narcotics.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Wisconsin
Reduced Practice State law requires a career-long regulated collaborative agreement with another health provider for the NP to provide patient care, or limits at least one element of NP practice.
Pending change Effective September 1, 2026, the APRN Modernization Act is expected to move Wisconsin toward independent practice.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Reduced-practice state: NPs must have a collaborative relationship with a physician as a condition of practice.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway → Nurse practitioners may evaluate patients; diagnose; order and interpret tests; and initiate and manage treatment — including prescribing medications and controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
Prescriptive authority & supervision Full-practice state: NPs may evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe independently; supervision or collaboration agreements are not required by Wyoming law.
PMHNP licensure steps — the same nationwide; your practice authority above is what varies by state
- 1Active RN license
- 2Accredited PMHNP graduate degree (MSN or DNP)
- 3ANCC PMHNP-BC certification
- 4State APRN / NP license
- 5State prescriptive authority
- 6DEA registration
See the full pathway →