Licensure & Credentialing
Enrollment in all University of Kentucky graduate nursing programs and the RN/BSN program requires a clean, un-encumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state in approved state where student will engage in clinical rotations.
Licensure to practice as an advanced practice nurse involves completion of an APRN certification examination approved by the state board of nursing and application to the state board for licensure to practice as an APRN, if applicable.
Certification Eligibility of Advanced Practice Graduates – National Organization Certification
Graduates of the DNP and Post Graduate APRN Certificate programs are eligible to take advanced practice nursing certification examinations as appropriate for an advanced practice specialty. Exams are administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PCNB). The relevant exams are: family nurse practitioner, adult gerontological acute care nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner (primary care and acute), psychiatric nurse practitioner and nurse executive.
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (family nurse practitioner)
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (family and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner exams)
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses AACN Certification Corporation (adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner exam)
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner exams)
- Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (pediatric primary care and pediatric acute care nurse practitioner exams)
- American Organization for Nursing Leadership (Certified in Executive Nursing Practice and Certified Nurse Manager and Leader). Eligibility for the AONL exams may require work experience in a leadership role.
