Steps to get FNP license in the state of Minnesota

[jtsnurse]

Hello,

I graduate in May of 2014 with my FNP and would like to know the process of getting my license in the state of Minnesota. I have read the AANP and ANCC steps but would like to know how soon you can apply to take the exams or the process you go through. My questions are can you work as an NP while you study to take the boards? Can or should you accept a job offer before you have your board certification? What do you do if you accept a job and don't have a DEA number yet?

Thanks for your time and information...

[BostonFNP, APRN]

I am not familiar with Minnesota so your best bet would be to check with the BON and/or your state's NP association.

You can not work in an APN role until your are licensed to do so by your state, which requires national certification (save for 5 states of which Minnesota is not one).

You need to graduate.

Apply for national exam and submit all required materials, a process which takes 1-3 weeks post graduation.

Be authorized to test, schedule, and take exam.

Request a certification letter.

Send certification letter and other materials to state BON. This takes another 1-3 weeks.

Get licensed.

Apply for prescriptive authority (which requires a job in all but 17 states).

The quickest it can all be done is about a month.

You can apply for and accept a job before this but you really can not work without it all complete.