Advanced practice nurse (NP, CNM, CRNA): RN to APRN license
APRNs are registered nurses with at least a master's degree in their role, a national certification exam and a state APRN license. Nurse anesthetist programs also ask for 1 year of critical-care RN experience.
For: Registered nurses who want to diagnose, treat and, in many states, prescribe: a long route that starts with the RN license.
Route 1: BSN → RN → master's → NP or nurse midwife NP / CNM
Most APRN programs prefer a BSN; bridge programs exist for RNs with an associate's degree or diploma.
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Start here
BSN (or ADN/diploma + bridge)
RN roadmapBLS
Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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License
RN license
An RN license comes before APRN education.
RN license stepsBLS
Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Master's+
Accredited APRN graduate program
Advanced health assessment, pathophysiology and pharmacology plus clinical experience; some earn a DNP or Ph.D.
BLS
Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
National certification exam
Most states require national certification to be licensed and use an APRN title.
BLS
Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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License
State APRN license
Details come from each state's board of nursing.
BLS
Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Nurse practitioner or nurse midwife
NCSBN APRN
APRN Consensus ModelNational Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Route 2: RN → critical care → nurse anesthesia program → CRNA CRNA
Nurse anesthetist programs require 1 year of RN experience in a critical care setting.
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Start here
RN license
RN license stepsBLS
Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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1 year
Critical care RN experience
BLS
Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Graduate
Accredited nurse anesthesia program
BLS
Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
NBCRNA National Certification Examination (NCE)
Sometimes called the boards.
NBCRNA
Receiving initial certification (National Certification Examination)National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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License
State APRN license
BLS
Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Certified registered nurse anesthetist
NCSBN APRN
APRN Consensus ModelNational Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
State rules
States' APRN requirements vary. The APRN Consensus Model (four roles: CNM, CNP, CRNA and CNS) guides states toward uniform rules, but not every state has adopted all of it. NCSBN APRN
View source
Where to go next
Every career page in this cluster: entry, license, BLS pay and outlook.
What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and how to become one.