How to get APRN certification?

Becoming licensed as an APRN and earning APRN certification are two different professional paths. A license is awarded by a state and allows you to practice as a nurse, whereas certification is granted by a national organization and demonstrates your proficiency in a given medical specialty. After you meet the educational and training requirements to become an APRN, you may pursue certification through one of the five nurse practitioner certification boards in the United States. Each national board offers certification across different specialties. The process to obtain certification varies by board and specialization, but typically requires an RN license, a graduate-level nursing degree, a minimum of 500 hours of supervised clinical hours, and successful completion of a competency-based exam.