Questions/Help, Completing NP program 5/17

[MexicanFNP]

Hello everyone-

I am super confused! I am a California resident and will be done with my FNP program this May of 2017.

I am confused on the process for obtaining my License, which is the furnishing License.

1) When should I send the forms to the BRN (California) for me to be able to test as soon as I can? Also, I am a bit unsure on which forms I need to submit to BRN.

2) When can I apply for my DEA number? Do I do this once I have my furnishing license from the BRN or can I start this process early as well?

3) I am planning to take AANP; when do I apply for this?

I know its a few loaded questions, but I would like to be able to take my test (AANP) as soon as possible and be able to practice as soon as possible as well.

One last question:

Is a LIVE review (Fitzgerald, BarKley, APEA) courses really recommended? Or is an online review fine?

Thanks in advance,

Sincerely,

Eduardo

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

Did you attend a BRN-approved FNP program? if so, all you need is to apply for an NP license in CA with an application form, verification of nurse practitioner program (filled out by your school), and official transcripts from your school. That, said you must have already graduated and your degree granted as well as an official transcript available for you to start the application process. The BRN is also now open to online applications (in place of the mail in application form only).

Furnishing License is a separate application process. You send in the application form and proof of completion of an advanced pharmacology course (filled out by your school). Again, it's better to wait until after getting your degree and official transcript before applying. Also, the BRN site now allows online completion of the application form.

After you get a furnishing license, apply for a DEA number via the DOJ website. You need to also take a CE course in prescribing controlled substances and once you get the CE certificate, send both a copy of it and the DEA certificate to the BRN and your furnishing license will be updated to include your ability to prescribed controlled substances.

Application for AANP certification is another separate process which will require sending your application to AANP in addition to your school sending proof of completion of an FNP program with corresponding hours of clinical rotations. You then receive an authorization to test and then you may schedule to sit for the exam. When you pass, you get sent a certificate in the mail.

These are steps that require you to go to the specific websites of the above entities and read the instructions individually and carefully. It may seem complicated but really, it's not. If you have been an RN, it's no different than sitting for the NCLEX-RN for the first time when you were applying for an RN license or getting specialty certification such as CCRN.

Advanced Practice and Certification

DEA New Registration Applications - Welcome Screen

Process for Application - AANPCP