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Nurse Practitioner Programs Practicum Manual for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Post-Master’s Certificate:
Section 2: Licensure and Regulatory Requirements

Regulatory Requirements

About Licensure and Regulatory Requirements

The NP specializations are designed to academically prepare graduates with an active registered nurse (RN) license to practice as nurse practitioners. However, each state Board of Nursing has its own requirements and issues its own credential for an RN to be permitted to practice as a nurse practitioner in that state. 

Additionally, prospective students are advised that, should they choose to relocate to a different state or location outside of the United States while they are enrolled in a Walden MSN program, they must notify their enrollment specialist or student success advisor, as relocation could have an impact on their ability to participate in field experience; to successfully complete the program; and may impact licensure requirements. Students must carefully review, evaluate, and understand the requirements of the applicable regulatory authority in the state or country in which they intend to relocate. Walden enrollment specialists or student success advisors and our Office of Certification, Compliance, and Licensure can provide relevant information and resources relating to state-by-state requirements for practice as a nurse practitioner. However, it remains the responsibility of the student to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to practice as a nurse practitioner in the state in which the student resides, as requirements vary widely.

Walden makes no representations or guarantees that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit a student to obtain state licensure, authorization, endorsement, or other authority to practice as a nurse practitioner. For more information about the requirements to practice as a nurse practitioner, students should contact the appropriate Board of Nursing or nursing regulatory authority in the states or jurisdictions where they reside or intend to seek licensure or other authority to practice to determine specific requirements.

Understanding this information is crucial both for success in the profession and for understanding how to apply for certification and licensure once a student’s degree is conferred. Many students believe that the process for obtaining an NP license is the same as the process for obtaining an RN license. This is not the case. There are a few key differences that students should be aware of. For example, NP certification is not obtained by “sitting for state boards” like an RN license is.

Note on Certification

The nurse practitioner specializations are designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for national nurse practitioner certification exams, which are required for practice as a nurse practitioner in most states. Because no graduate program can guarantee that graduates will be permitted to practice as a nurse practitioner upon graduation, we encourage students to consult the appropriate Board of Nursing or state agency to determine specific certification exam requirements.

Walden enrollment specialists can provide information relating to national certification exams; however, it remains the responsibility of the student to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to national certification exams for the state in which they reside, as requirements vary widely. Walden makes no representations or guarantees that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain national certification.

For more information about nurse practitioner certification exams, students should visit the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), or the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).

State Regulatory Agency Requirements

The ability for students to engage in the required practicum, in their state, depends upon the statutes and regulations of that state. Students are responsible to know and understand the statutes and regulations of the state and whether they meet the requirements to engage in a practicum in a state where they desire to do their practicum. Students are expected to inform the College of Nursing Office of Field Experience (Office of Field Experience: Contact Us) when moving to another state or outside of the United States, to facilitate discussion regarding practicum placement.

All students must comply with the applicable federal, state, and local guidelines, as well as requirements related to COVID-19 safety. Students must also comply with any additional requirements imposed by their practicum site.

The following states have specific regulatory requirements related for field experience:  

Alabama

State approval of a program to offer Alabama licensed nurses’ opportunities for advanced degrees does not indicate eligibility for approval to practice as an advanced nurse in Alabama. Applications for approval in Alabama are required to meet the Alabama requirements for national certification; graduation from a specific-type program for the advanced practice approval; and completion of the appropriate application. Any program offering a pre-licensure track to Alabama students shall meet the requirements of the Alabama regulations for pre-licensure programs or the graduates may not be eligible to take the national licensure examination required by the Alabama Board of Nursing to enter the practice.

California

Please be aware that the California Board of Registered Nursing (CA BRN) adopted regulations effective January 15, 2019, governing practicum experiences offered by out-of-state programs. These rules require nurse practitioner programs, located outside of California, to obtain CA BRN approval of field experiences occurring within California. Walden University is not physically located in California; therefore, these rules apply to Walden University nurse practitioner field experiences located in California. Walden University has obtained approval from the CA BRN. That approval can be viewed on the CA BRN website. Please be aware that the CA BRN requires that all students of these approved programs must complete the CA BRN's preceptor form for the program to keep on file. Students with questions about the completing the CA BRN’s preceptor form should contact the Nursing Field Experience Office.

Connecticut

Effective April 11, 2024, Walden will no longer enroll new students located in Connecticut in distance education courses or programs. A student located in Connecticut who enrolled in a Walden University program prior to April 11, 2024, may continue to access distance education coursework and complete practicum in CT until the completion of their program. Students who were initially residents of another state and enrolled in a Walden University program prior to April 11, 2024, who relocate to Connecticut may also continue to access distance education coursework and complete practicum in CT until the completion of the program. Students must be aware that a change of residence to a state where Walden does not enroll students can impact a student’s ability to complete practicum and remain enrolled at Walden.  Please contact the Office of Field Experience if you have questions.

Indiana

Please be aware that the state of Indiana limits the number of students who can be appointed to each practicum site. Students seeking to do their field experience in Indiana may experience challenges identifying practicum sites in Indiana. Given these limitations, students in Indiana are encouraged to begin identifying practicum sites at least three full quarters prior to the time their field experience is expected to begin, to increase their opportunity for placement and avoid potential delay. Students must notify their field experience coordinator as soon as they identify a practicum site and preceptor, so Walden University can evaluate the impact of the regulatory limits on site availability.

Applications to complete a practicum at a site that cannot accept additional students due to these regulatory limitations will be denied. Students with questions about the availability of a specific practicum site in Indiana should contact the Nursing Field Experience Office.

Maryland

Please be aware that the state of Maryland limits the number of students who can be appointed to each practicum site. Students seeking to do their field experience in Maryland may experience challenges identifying practicum sites in Maryland. Given these limitations, students in Maryland are encouraged to begin identifying practicum sites at least three full quarters prior to the time their field experience is expected to begin, to increase their opportunity for placement and avoid potential delay. Students must notify their field experience coordinator as soon as they identify a practicum site and preceptor, so Walden University can evaluate the impact of the regulatory limits on site availability.

Applications to complete a practicum at a site that cannot accept additional students due to these regulatory limitations will be denied. Students with questions about the availability of a specific practicum site in Maryland should contact the Nursing Field Experience Office.

New York

Please be aware that, due to regulatory requirements, Walden University does NOT enroll students from the state of New York, and applications for field experience will NOT be approved for sites located within New York. Please contact the Office of Field Experience staff if you have questions.

Rhode Island

Please be aware that, due to regulatory requirements, Walden University does NOT enroll students from Rhode Island. Please contact the Office of Field Experience staff if you are a Rhode Island resident who has not yet submitted a practicum application.

Washington State

Please be aware that Walden University is approved by the Washington State Board of Nursing to provide practice experiences in Washington State.  For a complete list of Walden University’s approvals in Washington State, please reference the Board of Nursing’s list of approved Out-of-State Clinical Placements located at https://nursing.wa.gov/education/nursing-education/approved-nursing-education-programs.
For additional information, go to the following website: Nurse Licensing | Washington State Department of Health 
 
Attention students completing practicum in Washington State: Please be aware of the following Washington Administrative Code—WAC 246-840-533(6)—requirement: A preceptor in graduate nursing programs must be experienced in the specialty area for at least 1 year; and not be related to, or a personal friend of, the student.

State Board of Nursing Practicum Approval Requirements

Some state Boards of Nursing have additional approval requirements for practicum. Because of these additional state board requirements and approvals, students who will engage in practicum experiences in the following states must submit their applications via Meditrek® by the application deadline. Late applications will not be accepted for these states:

State Board of Nursing Preceptor Restrictions 

Some state boards of nursing have specific requirements for preceptors and practicum.  Students must check with their state board of nursing for specific practicum requirements of preceptors to ensure students are meeting their state board of nursing requirements along with Walden requirements for preceptors. For example, states like Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Texas have specific requirements for preceptors that restrict certain practitioners as preceptors.

Non-U.S.-Based Student Requirements

To be approved for field experience, non-U.S.-based students must adhere to the following requirements:

  • A Non-U.S. Student is one who is not a resident of the United States, is licensed to practice in the U.S. or is otherwise authorized to practice in their jurisdiction, and who desires to be educated in a U.S.-based program with the intent of seeking licensure as an NP in the United States.
  • Non-U.S. Students must choose preceptors who hold a graduate degree from a U.S. accredited academic institution or a foreign academic institution formally recognized or accredited by the competent authorities in the country where students wish to complete their field experience. Preceptors based outside of the United States (“Non-U.S. Preceptors”) must be experts in the specialization fields students have chosen. Non-U.S. Preceptors’ expertise should be documented on the Preceptor Commitment Form that students submit with their practicum application. Non-U.S. Preceptors must hold an active, unencumbered license in a U.S. state or otherwise be authorized to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse or the equivalent thereof within the country where the practicum experience will occur.
    • Students with practicum sites outside of the United States may petition for an exception to the professional liability insurance requirement, if it is determined that professional liability insurance is too costly or does not exist in the country where the student will be conducting the practicum. An exception for obtaining professional liability insurance can be authorized by completing a Professional Liability Insurance Waiver Request. The waiver request form can be obtained from and must be submitted to the Office of Field Experience. The form must be completed by a duly authorized representative of the practicum site not the student. Submission of a professional liability insurance waiver request does not guarantee approval.
  • Non-U.S. Students must provide evidence of current and active nurse licensure or other authority to practice in the jurisdiction where the practicum will take place. The licensure or other authorization must authorize the student to conduct practice at a level consistent with RN licensure in the United States. Non-U.S. students who encounter issues with obtaining proof of licensure or authority to practice, should contact the Office of Field Experience.
  • Non-U.S. Students must comply with all other requirements demanded of students conducting practicum experiences in the United States.
  • Non-U.S. Students should contact nursing field experience coordinators early to ensure that they identify a qualified preceptor and acceptable practicum site and that they meet all other requirements.

Late practicum applications will not be accepted from students seeking to do their practicum experiences outside of the United States.

 

Walden University’s nurse practitioner programs with specializations in AGPCNP, AGACNP, FNP, PNP, and PMHNP are designed to prepare graduates with an active U.S. registered nurse (RN) license to be eligible to sit for NP certification examinations offered by United States national certifying bodies in their NP specialty and to apply for advanced practice licensure as NPs in the United States. As this program is designed for U.S. students, Walden generally does not admit international students into the program. However, Walden will consider, on a case-by-case basis, admission of Canadian students who hold a valid U.S. RN license and who are authorized to live and/or work in the United States, and students from other countries who hold a U.S. RN license or the international equivalent thereof, are authorized to live and/or work in the U.S. or are otherwise authorized to work and practice in the jurisdiction where they intend to complete their practicum, and who intend to seek licensure as an NP in the United States.

Walden University’s NP specializations are not designed to lead to NP licensure or other authority to practice in Canada or any other country. Walden makes no guarantee that completion of the program will allow a student to obtain certification as a NP outside of the United States, including Canada. Questions regarding locating a U.S. practicum site should be directed to Office of Field Experience staff.

Relocation and Impact on Field Experience

Students who are considering relocating to a different state or location outside of the United States must contact their student success advisor--prior to any decision to relocate--in order to determine how relocation may impact progress in their program. Relocation could have an impact on their ability to participate in field experience, successfully complete the program, and impact licensure requirements. Students must carefully review, evaluate, and understand the requirements of the applicable regulatory authority in the state or country in which they intend to relocate. Advisors can provide information and guidance on how relocating may result in possible changes, restrictions, and/or additional requirements affecting field experience. Each state’s regulatory agency (typically the state Board of Nursing) and Higher Education Authority govern the field experience rules and regulations in their respective states, and students may be unable to complete field experience in the state in which they plan to relocate. Walden is committed to working collaboratively with students to secure practicum sites across the United States, so it is imperative that students contact their student success advisor immediately when considering relocating.

Students should review the list of state practicum restrictions at Restricted States - Restricted States for Practicum.

Completion of Practicum in Another State 

Students who are considering completing practicum in a state different than their home state must carefully review, evaluate, and understand the requirements of the applicable regulatory authority in the state in which they intend to complete practicum. Each state’s regulatory agency (typically the state Board of Nursing) and Higher Education Authority govern the field experience rules and regulations in their respective states, and students may be unable to complete field experience in the state they intend to do practicum. Walden is committed to working collaboratively with students to secure practicum sites across the United States. Students who are considering completing practicum in a different state should contact the Field Experience Office in order to determine their ability to participate in field experience, successfully complete the program, and impact licensure requirements.

Students must hold an active, unencumbered RN license in the state where the practicum will take place.

Students should review the list of state practicum restrictions at Restricted States - Restricted States for Practicum.

Licensure and Certification

About Licensure Requirements

If the status of a student’s authority to practice changes at any point during their program, the student is required to inform the director of the Office of Certification, Licensure, and Compliance (nurslicensure@mail.waldenu.edu). Status changes, such as actions or restrictions placed on a student’s license, can affect their ability to complete practicum requirements and the program.

Nurse Practitioner Licensure

The NP specializations are designed to academically prepare graduates with an active registered nurse (RN) license to practice as nurse practitioners. However, each state Board of Nursing has its own requirements and issues its own credential for an RN to be permitted to practice as a nurse practitioner in that state. No graduate program can guarantee that graduates will be permitted to practice as a nurse practitioner upon graduation. We encourage students to consult the appropriate Board of Nursing or nursing regulatory authority in the states or jurisdictions in which they reside, want to do their practicum, or intend to seek licensure or other authority to practice to determine specific requirements. 

Licensure Review of Students and Preceptors for Practicum

The Office of Field Experience will conduct professional license verification and review as part of the practicum application and approval process. Verification and review of licensure will be done for all students who apply for practicum and all nominees for preceptorship. Information for this review will be gathered from NURSYS®, state Boards of Nursing, state medical boards, and any other applicable professional regulatory authority. Any information that is attached to a professional license verification will be reviewed by the College of Nursing’s Office of Certification, Licensure and Compliance. The information that will be reviewed includes past and present licensure information in states in which the preceptorship candidate is or has been licensed, such as state licensing board orders, consent agreements, letters of reprimand or censure, complaints, malpractice claims, settlements, and awards or other indication of action taken against the license by a professional credentialing authority. The Office of Field Experience may request additional documentation associated with the student’s or preceptor’s license to assist with the license review process.  

This information will be reviewed as part of the application and preceptor approval process. Practicum applications will not be approved until this review has been completed and the license is accepted.

Licensure Review of Students

The Office of Field Experience will conduct a routine professional license verification search and review as part of the practicum application process. This search and review will be completed for all students applying for practicum and all nominees for preceptorship. Information for this review will be gathered through NURSYS®, state Boards of Nursing, state medical boards, or any other applicable professional credentialing authority. Any information that is attached to a professional license verification will be reviewed by the College of Nursing’s Certification, Licensure and Compliance department. The information that will be reviewed includes past and present credentialing information, such as state licensing board orders, consent agreements, letters of reprimand or censure, complaints, malpractice claims, settlements, and awards or other indication of action taken against the license by a professional credentialing authority.

If students have a past or present order, consent agreement, letter of reprimand, censure or complaint, or any other information issued by the professional credentialing authority regarding their professional license, the students will be required to inform their practicum site and preceptor of this information. The practicum site and preceptor will need to confirm that the students will be able to complete the field experience at the site prior to the approval of the students’ practicum application. Written documentation from the practicum site and preceptor, which confirms that (a) the practicum site is aware of the past or present board issued information (as described previously) and (b) the practicum site has agreed to accommodate the practicum placement, must be submitted to the Office of Field Experience with the practicum application. Written documentation is obtained through an Acknowledgement Form in Meditrek.    

After the review of the license information, the Office of Field Experience staff will send instructions to students to share their license history with their preceptor(s) or practicum site administrator(s) and request the site to complete an Acknowledgement Form using a customized link for Meditrek.

If the status of a student’s authority to practice changes at any point after the student begins practicum, the student is required to inform the director of the Office of Certification, Licensure, and Compliance (nurslicensure@mail.waldenu.edu), Office of Field Experience, the practicum site administrator, and the preceptor. Status changes, such as actions or restrictions placed on a student’s license, can affect their ability to complete the practicum requirements and the program.  

Licensure Review of Preceptors

A routine professional license verification will be obtained by Walden for all preceptor nominees. The process includes a review of current and past actions affecting the nominated preceptor’s authority to practice in any jurisdiction in which the nominated preceptor is or has been licensed. Any negative information, both past and present, that is part of the license verification will be reviewed by the College of Nursing’s Certification, Licensure and Compliance department. Some examples of negative information are past or present disciplinary orders issued by a professional licensing board, consent agreement, malpractice information and letters of complaint, censure, or reprimand, or any other information issued by the professional credentialing authority. This information will be reviewed as part of the preceptor approval process and could lead to a determination that the nominated preceptor does not meet university qualifications. Students will have the opportunity to appeal the decision or to nominate a replacement preceptor if time allows who will undergo the same review. Students should be aware that their practicum application will not be approved until an acceptable preceptor is approved. 

It is recommended for students to review their preceptor nominee’s license information prior to submitting their practicum application. If students choose to review this information,it can be found online through NURSYS® or the corresponding state Board of Nursing website if the nominated preceptor is a nurse, or by reviewing the preceptor’s license information provided by their professional licensing authority (medical board, department of health, etc.). If students have any questions about this process or any possible negative information regarding a potential preceptor, they should contact nurslicensure@mail.waldenu.edu. 

Students With Disabilities

The College of Nursing at Walden will not discriminate on the basis of disability and is committed to providing all qualified students with disabilities equal access to its programs, services, and activities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

In postsecondary education, it is the students’ responsibility to self-identify disability status and register with the Office of Student Disability Services prior to requesting accommodations. To register, students should submit documentation of disability along with Walden’s Accommodation Request Form to disability@mail.waldenu.edu.

The process and form are available from the Office of Student Disability Services. Students with disabilities requesting accommodations to access field experiences, such as a practicum and/or internship, should register with the Office of Student Disability Services prior to registering for those field experiences and clarify their specific accommodation needs. In most cases, field experience sites have their own systems for ensuring equal access for employees/interns with disabilities. The Office of Student Disability Services will help address any gaps in those systems.

Criminal Charges & Background Check

For practicum approval, students must complete an annually criminal background check/screen in the state where the practicum experience will occur.  If a student is charged with a misdemeanor or felony crime at any point during the student’s program prior to practicum, the student is required to inform the director of Office of Field Experience, (nursingfield@mail.waldenu.edu).  If a student is charged with a misdemeanor or felony crime at any point after practicum application and/or the student begins practicum, the student required to inform the director of Office of Field Experience, (nursingfield@mail.waldenu.edu), the practicum site administrator, and the preceptor.  New criminal charges can affect the ability to complete the practicum requirements and the program.   Students may be required to complete a new background check/screen through CastleBranch at any point upon request.