Nurse Practitioner (NP) Scope of Practice & Licensing by State - Interactive Map

Explore our interactive map detailing Nurse Practitioner scope of practice and licensing requirements by state.

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are changing healthcare across the US, addressing primary care shortages, increasing access to care, and meeting the growing needs of an aging population and underserved communities. The demand for Nurse Practitioners (NPs) is expected to grow 46% by 2033, more than any other profession, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

However, NP scope of practice varies by state, determining their ability to diagnose, prescribe, and manage patient care. These NP state-by-state regulations determine if NPs can practice independently or with a physician, and that impacts career flexibility, earning potential, and patient access to care.

This interactive map is your one-stop resource for all things NP, including the scope of practice and practice authority by state. Whether planning your career, moving, or advocating for full practice authority, this NP interactive map has what you need. From prescriptive authority to collaboration requirements, you’ll find it all here.

Click on any state to see NP scope of practice, NP practice authority levels, and resources for Nurse Practitioners’ state licenses.

Interactive State Map

Click any state to see details

State

RN Time Frame

RN Compact State

RN Licensing Fee

RN Licensing Resource

Practice Authority

Prescriptive Authority

NP Licensing Fee

NP Licensing Time Frame

CSR Requirement

NP License Resource

Notes

Scope of Practice vs. Practice Authority

The terms scope of practice and practice authority are often used interchangeably but represent different aspects of NP regulations.

Scope of Practice

Refers to the full range of activities NPs are legally allowed to do under state law. This includes diagnosing conditions, prescribing medication, managing treatment, and ordering tests.

Practice Authority

Is the level of independence an NP has in performing their services. It is important for NPs to understand the difference when navigating state-specific laws or advocating for more autonomy.

Practice Authority Levels

Full Practice

In full practice authority states, nurse practitioners can perform the full scope of practice without needing a supervising or collaborating physician. They can diagnose patients, order tests, prescribe medication, and operate independent practices. NP independent practice states may require a certain level of experience working under a physician’s supervision or require additional training before allowing full practice authority.

Reduced Practice

In reduced practice states, nurse practitioners can perform some of their scope of practice without physician supervision. These restrictions typically involve operating independent practices or prescribing certain medications. They rarely involve the nurse practitioner’s ability to order tests or diagnose conditions.

Restricted Practice

In restricted practice states, nurse practitioners must work under the supervision of a physician for all of their scope of practice. While they may have extensive autonomy in some nurse practitioner functions, they are not acting as independent practitioners.