Nurse practitioners need both an RN license and an APRN license to practice in a new state, and scope of practice laws vary by state. Barton manages the entire nurse practitioner licensing process from start to finish, so you can focus on your next locum tenens assignment.
Nurse practitioner licensing is the process of obtaining legal authorization to practice as an NP in a specific state. Because there is no national NP license, nurse practitioners must meet the licensing requirements of every state where they provide patient care. In most states, that means holding both an active registered nurse (RN) license and an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) license, though requirements vary by state.
Barton has helped thousands of NPs obtain state licenses across the country, and your dedicated licensor manages the entire process from start to finish, making it as simple and efficient as possible.
This is the part that surprises many NPs: practicing as a nurse practitioner in a new state requires two separate licenses — not one.
| 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 (NP) | The advanced practice license that authorizes you to practice as a nurse practitioner 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 subsequent NP license — as a single coordinated process. You don’t have to manage two separate tracks.
Licensing allows you to practice. Scope of practice determines how you can practice. Every state has different laws governing nurse practitioner autonomy, physician collaboration, and prescribing authority. Your scope of practice affects how your assignment is structured and what services you can provide.
| Practice model | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Full Practice Authority | You can evaluate, diagnose, order and interpret tests, and prescribe independently — without a supervising or collaborating physician requirement. |
| APRN License (NP) | You can perform some elements of NP practice independently, but at least one element requires a career-long collaborative agreement with a physician. |
| Restricted Practice | Career-long supervision, delegation, or team management by a physician is required for NP practice. |
Before you accept an assignment, your Barton licensor will review your state's scope-of-practice laws so you know exactly what to expect.
From the first call to the license in hand, your dedicated licensor manages the process in these four steps.
Your licensing specialist reviews your state's RN and APRN licensing requirements with you before any paperwork begins.
Barton pre-populates both applications using your existing information. You simply review and sign.
Fingerprinting, notary appointments, and document delivery are coordinated for you.
Barton manages communication with the state board of nursing until both licenses are issued.
Barton covers licensing fees for active assignments, removing one more barrier between you and your next opportunity.
NP 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 license there.
The NLC celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025 and has earned formal endorsement from the U.S. Department of Defense, in part for the mobility it provides to military spouse nurses. 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
If the state where you want to work is an NLC member and your home state is also a member, your multistate license covers you there. If the state is not an NLC member — or if your home state is not a member — a separate state license is required. Barton will confirm your NLC status and determine the right path for each state.
The NLC multistate license is an RN-level license. As an NP, you still need an APRN license in each state where you practice — the NLC does not automatically extend to NP scope of practice. Barton manages both layers so nothing falls through the gap.
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 NPs 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 NP clinicians navigate this pathway as it becomes available.
If your assignment includes prescribing controlled substances, you'll also need a DEA registration in addition to your RN and APRN licenses. Barton coordinates DEA registration for active assignments where required.
Because DEA registration requires a confirmed practice address, it cannot be completed 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 license before you can practice as a nurse practitioner. Barton manages both applications as a single coordinated process so nothing falls through the gap.
No. Each state issues its own APRN license. If you're moving or accepting a locum tenens assignment in another state, you'll typically need a new APRN license. If you're eligible for the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), your RN license may already be valid in participating states.
Generally three weeks to three months per state, depending on the state board and application volume. Because NP licensing involves two separate applications, Barton initiates both simultaneously where possible to avoid sequential delays.
The Nurse Licensure Compact is an agreement among 42 jurisdictions that allows nurses whose home state is a member to hold one multistate RN license — covering practice in all NLC states without separate applications. For NPs, the NLC covers the RN license layer. A separate APRN license is still required in each state where you practice as an NP.
Full practice authority means you can evaluate, diagnose, order tests, and prescribe independently without a physician supervision or collaboration requirement. Not all states grant full practice authority to NPs — some require collaborative agreements or physician oversight. Your Barton licensor will flag this for each assignment state so you know what to expect before you commit.
Yes. Barton assists with DEA requirements for NPs where the assignment requires prescribing controlled substances. 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.
The APRN Compact is an emerging interstate agreement designed to extend compact-style mobility to advanced practice nurses, including NPs. It is not yet operational at scale. Barton’s licensing team is monitoring developments and will help NPs navigate this pathway when it becomes available.
One call with your dedicated licensor is all it takes to get started. Barton handles the rest.
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