Preparing for Certification & Licensure

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

Throughout Your Program:

  • Download and keep all your syllabi
  • Download and keep course catalogs for the years you were enrolled in your degree program

During Your Final Quarter: 

  1. Begin studying for your exam:
  2. Register to take your National Certification Exam.  NP exam comparison info is available in many sources, including this one.
  3. Submit your unofficial transcript to your certifying body

  4. Respond to the “What Comes Next?” survey sent by the School of Health Sciences

After Graduation:

  1. Request an official transcript be sent directly to your certifying body
    • Wait until your degree is posted or indicate that transcripts should not be printed until your degree is posted


After Passing Your Certification Exam:

  • Request that your certifying body send verification of certification to WA State
  • Apply for WA State Licensure
  • Apply for a DEA Number
    • apply after you have your state license


When You Are Employed:

  • Obtain malpractice insurance (may vary by employee)
  • Apply for NPI and L&I numbers (may vary by employer *)
  • Apply for Medicare and Medicaid numbers (may vary by employer *)
  • Apply to become a WA practitioner (application to insurance companies for billing; may vary by employer*)

          * Most employers will do this for you.

School of Health Sciences, Seattle Pacific University