You made it through NP school and have passed your boards! Congratulations! So…now what? Chances are, you’ve been so focused on passing that your advisor’s directions on what to do next are long forgotten. But don’t worry, we’ve got you; read on to find our 5 steps to follow once you’ve passed your exams–plus two bonus one’s we’ve thrown in.
Table of Contents
Celebrate!
Wait for Your Official Certification
Check Your RN License
Apply for your NPI and DEA License
Update Your Resume & Apply for Jobs
Get Credentialed with Insurance Carriers
Notify Your School
Celebrate!
That’s right; pop that champagne, schedule a massage, take a nap–whatever you’re feeling. You did it and you deserve to be celebrated! Passing your NP board exam is no small feat, and we’re incredibly proud of you (you should be too).
2. Wait for Your Official Certification
Next you’ll need to wait for the official certification from your certifying organization (ANCC, AANC, etc.) In most cases, this will come in the mail and tends to take 2-4 weeks.
Check Your RN License
You most likely needed to submit proof of your RN license to take your exam, but check on it anyways. Make sure it’s current and active in the state where you plan to practice as a nurse practitioner. If you’re planning on moving to another state, you may need to apply for a new license there. If your license is nearing its expiration date, go ahead and renew it.
Apply for Your NPI and DEA License
As a practicing nurse practitioner, you’ll need a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number and a license from the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Your NPI number is free, and can be obtained online by visiting nppes.cms.hhs.gov; it typically takes about 10 days to receive once your application is submitted. The DEA license takes a bit longer, ranging from 4 to 6 weeks. Applications can be submitted online here, and currently cost $888. A quick note about these; many employers will cover the cost of a DEA license, so if you have a job lined up, hold off on paying for this until you can confirm with your employer whether it will be covered.
Update Your Resume & Apply for Jobs
You earned your certification designation, so go ahead and show it off! Update your resume or CV to show that you’re board certified, and don’t forget to add your credentials to your name on professional sites like LinkedIn. If you don’t already have a job lined up (which is okay!), it’s time to start searching! Here’s a tip to keep in mind: if you’re finding job descriptions that list a specific certification such as the ANCC exams, go ahead and apply even if you took the AANP exam. ANCC is the oldest certifying organization for NPs, so it tends to be the one most employers have heard from. Neither exam is better than the other, despite what you may have heard!
Get Credentialed with Insurance Carriers
We’re throwing this one in as a bonus. This is a step to keep in mind once you’ve landed a job–you don’t need to do it on your own! Make sure your employer includes this as part of your onboarding process. Becoming credentialed with insurance carriers such as Medicare ensures that you can be paid by the respective companies.
Notify Your School
Another bonus for you! This one isn’t a requirement, but most graduate programs keep track of their graduation and exam passing rates for accreditation purposes. If you have the time, reach out to your program manager or administrative staff to let them know you’ve passed!
Following these key steps once you pass your nurse practitioner board exams can help ensure a stress-free, seamless process as you enter the workforce. You’ve done great things, and we know you’ll only continue to do more.