CRNA licensing is more layered than most clinicians expect — and your scope of practice varies significantly by state. Barton’s dedicated licensing team manages the full process end to end, so you can focus on finding the right assignment.
CRNA licensing is the process of obtaining legal authorization to practice as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in a specific state. Because there is no national CRNA license, CRNAs must meet the licensing requirements of every state where they practice, including maintaining an active RN license and the required advanced practice credentials.
For locum tenens CRNAs, working in multiple states often means obtaining additional licenses. Barton has guided thousands of CRNAs through the licensing process across the country, and your dedicated licensor manages everything from start to finish, helping you get licensed faster and start working sooner.
Practicing as a CRNA in a new state requires two separate licenses. This surprises many clinicians and is one of the most common causes of avoidable delays.
| License | What it is | Who handles it |
|---|---|---|
| RN License | The prerequisite registered nurse license, required before an APRN license can be issued in any state. Issued by the state board of nursing. | Barton |
| APRN License (CRNA) | The advanced practice license that authorizes you to practice as a CRNA in that state. A separate application from the RN license, with its own requirements and timeline. | Barton |
Barton manages both the RN prerequisite and the CRNA/APRN application as one coordinated licensing process, helping you avoid unnecessary delays and paperwork.
Once licensed in a new state, what you’re authorized to do there depends on that state’s scope-of-practice laws for CRNAs — and they vary significantly. This directly affects how your assignment is structured and what the facility can ask you to do.
| Practice model | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Opt-Out State | The state has opted out of federal physician supervision requirements, allowing CRNAs to practice and administer anesthesia independently without physician oversight. |
| Non Opt-Out State | Federal supervision requirements apply. A physician must be available for supervision, though the level of required oversight varies by facility and payer. |
| Facility-Level Variation | Even within a state, individual facilities may impose additional supervision or collaboration requirements beyond what state law mandates. |
Your Barton licensor will flag scope-of-practice and supervision considerations for each assignment state so there are no surprises before you arrive.
From the first call to the license in hand,
your dedicated licensor manages the process:
Your licensor walks you through the specific requirements for your state — including both the RN and APRN applications — verbally, before a single form is touched.
Barton pre-populates your applications using information from your CV and profile. You review and sign.
Notary appointments, fingerprinting, FedEx pickups — all coordinated by your licensor.
Barton manages all follow-up with the state board of nursing through to both licenses issued.
Licensing fees for active assignments are covered — one less thing standing between you and your next assignment.
CRNA licensing involves two applications — RN and APRN — which means two sets of timelines to manage. In general, expect three weeks to three months for a new state, depending on the state board’s processing volume and any state-specific requirements.
Barton tracks real-time processing data by state and will give you a current estimate when your license request is initiated. If delays arise, your licensor will communicate proactively so you can plan around them.
If your home state is an NLC member, you may already hold a multistate license — which means you can practice in person or via telehealth in any other NLC state without obtaining a separate RN license there.
The NLC celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025 and has earned formal endorsement from the U.S. Department of Defense. As of FY2024, 42 jurisdictions have enacted the NLC, with Pennsylvania fully implementing in July 2025.
Source: NCSBN FY25 Annual Report
Source: Nurse Licensure Compact Commission Annual Report, FY2024
The NLC multistate license is an RN-level license. As a CRNA, you still need a separate APRN license in each state where you practice. The NLC does not automatically extend to CRNA scope of practice. Barton manages both layers — the NLC-covered RN license and the separate APRN license — as one coordinated process.
The APRN Compact — adopted by NCSBN in August 2020 and currently enacted in 5 states (Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming) — would allow CRNAs and other APRNs to hold one multistate license covering all compact states, similar to how the NLC works for RNs. The compact requires 7 states to enact before it can be implemented, meaning two more states are needed. Arizona has active pending legislation. Implementation is projected for late 2026 or 2027. Barton’s licensing team is monitoring developments and will help CRNA clinicians navigate this pathway as it becomes available.
If your assignment requires administering or ordering controlled substances, DEA registration may be required in addition to your state licenses. Barton assists with DEA requirements for CRNAs where applicable. As with other clinician types, DEA registration requires a confirmed practice address and is secured for active assignments — not proactively.
Physicians who are already licensed move faster. Instead of waiting until an opportunity opens, get licensed in the states where you want to work now.
Barton helps you identify high-demand states for your specialty and manages the licensing process from application to approval, so you're ready to submit on day one.
Yes. Most states require both an RN license and a separate APRN/CRNA license before you can practice. Barton manages both applications as a single coordinated process so nothing falls through the gap.
Generally three weeks to three months per state, depending on the state board and application volume. Because CRNA licensing involves two separate applications, Barton initiates both simultaneously where possible to avoid sequential delays.
An opt-out state has opted out of the federal requirement for physician supervision of CRNAs, allowing CRNAs to practice and administer anesthesia independently. Non opt-out states retain federal supervision requirements, though the practical level of oversight varies by facility. Your Barton licensor will flag this for each assignment state.
The Nurse Licensure Compact allows nurses whose home state is a member to hold one multistate RN license covering all NLC states. For CRNAs, the NLC covers the RN license layer. A separate APRN license is still required in each state where you practice as a CRNA.
Yes. Barton assists with DEA requirements for CRNAs where the assignment requires it. DEA registration is secured for active assignments and requires a confirmed practice address.
Licensing fees for active assignments are covered — one less thing standing between you and your next opportunity. For proactive licensing, talk to your licensing specialist about how fees are handled for your situation.
No. You must hold both a valid RN license and a valid APRN/CRNA license in a state before practicing there. Barton will always confirm full licensure status before a start date is set.
One call with your dedicated licensor is all it takes to get started. Barton handles the rest.
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