How to get your Pennsylvania APRN license

Practice authorityWhat the two-physician collaboration rule means

Pennsylvania is unique among the pilot states — CRNPs must have a Collaborative Agreement with TWO licensed physicians (most states require only one). The agreement defines the scope of medical conditions the CRNP may diagnose, the medications they may prescribe, supervision requirements, and the practice setting. A physician cannot collaborate with more than TWO CRNPs simultaneously, which limits supply.

Step by stepThe Pennsylvania CRNP licensure process

1. 1
   Hold an active RN license (PA or compact)PA joined NLC effective July 7, 2025. Compact multistate RN license OR PA-specific RN license accepted.
2. 2
   Complete an accredited NP programMust be from an ACEN, CCNE, or COA-accredited NP program with role/population focus matching intended CRNP scope.
3. 3
   Earn national NP certificationPA accepts AANP or ANCC certification for most NP roles. Pass the certification exam.
4. 4
   Submit CRNP application via PALS portal$140 fee at pals.pa.gov. Upload national certification verification, transcripts (program-direct), Nursys verification if endorsing.
5. 5
   Complete IdentoGO fingerprints~$47 via PA IdentoGO. Act 79 of 2024 added FBI fingerprint CBC requirement (enabled NLC implementation). Service code provided after PALS submission.
6. 6
   Secure Collaborative Agreement with TWO physiciansRequired: TWO licensed physicians (NOT one — PA-specific). Agreement defines scope, prescribing categories, supervision. Cannot include more than 2 CRNPs per physician.
7. 7
   Apply for prescriptive authority — $95Separate application from CRNP cert. Filed with PA State Board of Nursing alongside Collaborative Agreement. Required for ALL prescribing — both controlled and non-controlled.
8. 8
   Enroll in ABC-MAP (PA PMP)Mandatory at pdmp.health.pa.gov. ABC-MAP is PA's Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Program. Check before prescribing Schedule II–V controlled substances.
9. 9
   Apply for federal DEA registration$888 for 3 years. Required for any controlled substance prescribing. Apply at deadiversion.usdoj.gov AFTER your prescriptive authority is approved.
10. 10
    Track Act 124 opioid CECRNPs with DEA registration must complete 2 hrs of opioid education per biennial renewal cycle (PA Code §21.283). Begin tracking immediately — random audits do happen.

Watch outWhat slows CRNPs down in Pennsylvania

• Two-physician requirement is the #1 bottleneck. PA is unique — most states need only one collaborating physician. Securing TWO can take months in rural or underserved areas. Begin recruiting BEFORE accepting an offer.
• The 2-CRNP-per-physician cap limits availability. Physicians in high-NP-demand areas may already be at capacity. Verify physician availability before committing to a role.
• Prescriptive authority is a separate $95 application. Easy to miss — CRNP cert alone does NOT authorize prescribing. File the prescriptive authority application alongside cert to avoid sequential delays.
• PA joined NLC in 2025 — but APRN Compact didn't. The NLC covers RN practice across compact states; it does NOT extend to CRNP/APRN. You still need PA-specific CRNP certification regardless of any multistate RN license.
• Act 124 opioid CE catches prescribers off guard. 2 hours per biennial cycle for prescribers (NOT all RNs). If you're claiming prescriptive authority, you're on the hook for this CE — track from day one.
• PALS portal is functional but slow. Processing times can extend if any document is missing. Submit everything in one batch, then monitor portal status — don't rely on email notifications.