General Requirements
You must be certified and registered as a nurse practitioner (NP) by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) in order to practice as an NP in New York.
NYSED certifies NPs to practice in the following specialty practice areas: Acute Care, Adult Health, College Health, Community Health, Family Health, Gerontology, Holistic Care, Neonatology, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Oncology, Pediatrics, Palliative Care, Perinatology, Psychiatry, School Health, and Women's Health.
To become certified and registered by NYSED as an NP, you must:
- be currently registered and licensed as a registered professional nurse (RN) in New York State;
- be of good moral character;
- meet education and experience requirements acceptable to NYSED; and
- apply for nurse practitioner certification with NYSED.
You may download NP application forms and instructions for completing the forms from this website. You must mail these forms by regular mail to the NYSED at the address indicated on the form. When you apply for NP certification with NYSED, it is your responsibility to have all required documents and information sent to NYSED.
You are allowed to be certified as an NP in more than one specialty practice area. However, you must file a separate application and pay an additional fee to NYSED for each NP specialty practice area in which you seek certification. In addition, you must also meet the professional study, experience and other criteria applicable to each NP specialty practice area in which you seek certification.
After you have met all requirements for NP certification in a specialty area, NYSED will issue you an NP certificate and a registration certificate.
- Your NP certification is valid for life, unless it is revoked, annulled or suspended by the New York State Board of Regents.
- Your NP registration certificate will authorize you to practice as a NP for 3 years. You must renew your NP registration and your RN registration with NYSED in order to continue practicing as a nurse practitioner. You are not legally allowed to provide nurse practitioner services while your NP or your RN registration is expired.
Laws that govern NP certification include Education Law §6910 and 8 NYCRR Part 64.
You should also read the general licensing information applicable for all professions.