How to get your Texas APRN license

Practice authorityWhat "Restricted Practice" means in Texas

Texas is the most restrictive practice state for NPs in this pilot — practice and prescribing require a Prescriptive Authority Agreement (PAA) with a delegating physician. The PAA defines what categories of medications you may prescribe, your practice setting, and the supervision relationship. Without a current PAA on file with the Texas BoN, an APRN cannot prescribe in Texas — including non-controlled substances.

Step by stepThe Texas APRN licensure process

1. 1
   Hold an active RN license (TX or compact)TX accepts a compact multistate license OR a TX-specific RN license. NLC since Jan 2018.
2. 2
   Complete an accredited NP programMust be from an ACEN, CCNE, or COA-accredited program. NP role and population focus (FNP, AGPCNP, AGACNP, PMHNP, etc.) must match your intended scope.
3. 3
   Earn national NP certificationTX accepts AANP or ANCC certification for most NP roles. Pass the certification exam from your chosen body.
4. 4
   Submit APRN application via Texas Nurse Portal$150 fee. Upload national certification verification, transcripts (program-direct), and Nursys verification if endorsing.
5. 5
   Complete IdentoGO fingerprints~$40 via IdentoGO Texas locations. Service codes published; can be done in parallel with application.
6. 6
   Pass the Texas Jurisprudence Exam — $2550 questions, 75% to pass, open-book, 2-hour limit. Administered online via TX BoN portal. Required for ALL applicants — exam + endorsement. Must complete BEFORE license issuance.
7. 7
   Secure a Prescriptive Authority Agreement (PAA)Negotiate with a delegating physician. Categories of medications, practice setting, and supervision details must be specified. File the PAA with the TX BoN.
8. 8
   Apply for prescriptive authorityOnce PAA is filed, the BoN authorizes you to prescribe under the agreement's terms. No separate fee in TX — included with APRN certification.
9. 9
   Enroll in PMP-Aware (Texas PDMP)Mandatory at txpmp.org before prescribing Schedule II–V controlled substances. Check the PMP before every CS prescription.
10. 10
    Apply for federal DEA registration$888 for 3 years. Required for any controlled substance prescribing. Apply at deadiversion.usdoj.gov AFTER your PAA is in place.

Watch outWhat slows NPs down in Texas

• No PAA = no prescribing. Many newly-licensed Texas NPs assume their APRN certification authorizes prescribing. It doesn't — you need a Prescriptive Authority Agreement with a specific delegating physician, filed with the BoN. Without it, you can hold the cert but not write a single prescription.
• The Jurisprudence Exam catches people off guard. It's open-book and 50 questions, but covers state-specific nursing law (NPA, BoN rules, prescribing restrictions). Allocate 2-3 hours of study even though it's open-book — many fail on the first attempt and have to retake at additional cost.
• PAA scope must match your actual practice. The medication categories listed in the PAA limit what you can prescribe. If your practice changes (new role, new specialty), the PAA must be updated — otherwise you're outside your authorized scope.
• PMP-Aware enrollment ≠ DEA registration. Two separate, both required for controlled substances. PMP-Aware is the TX state monitoring program; DEA is federal. Plan for both processes in parallel.
• Endorsement requires transcripts. Unlike RN endorsement, APRN endorsement applicants must provide official transcripts from their NP program. Nursys verification alone is not sufficient for APRN.
• Practice authority expansion attempts have repeatedly failed. If you're planning your career around future TX Full Practice Authority, know that multiple bills have died in committee. Plan around the current restricted model.