How to Become a Family Nurse Practitioner in California
Your path to family nurse practitioner in California, step by step: become an RN, complete a graduate FNP program (MSN, post-master's certificate, or DNP), pass a national exam, and earn your state license.
Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) treat patients across the entire lifespan and often deliver comprehensive primary care services in place of a physician. With such a large and impactful role in supporting patients鈥� foundational healthcare needs, it鈥檚 no wonder so many nurses choose this path.
If you鈥檙e interested in becoming an FNP in California, you may have an exciting career ahead of you 鈥� you just need to learn the steps for arriving at your destination, especially since California鈥檚 licensing requirements differ in comparison to many other states. This career guide will provide you with the steps for becoming an FNP in California.
Become an RN and Gain Clinical Experience
Family nurse practitioner programs typically require you to be a licensed registered nurse (RN) with a certain number of years of direct patient care experience when you apply. This means you will need to have a Bachelor of Science of Nursing (BSN) from an accredited program and an unencumbered RN license in the state where you are pursuing your higher education to become a family nurse practitioner.
Learn the steps for .
Complete an Accredited Family Nurse Practitioner Program
Once you have established yourself as an RN with the right level of education and on-the-job experience, you can apply to a family nurse practitioner graduate program, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with an FNP specialization or post-master鈥檚 certificate program if you鈥檙e an RN who already earned a master鈥檚 degree in another area. Some nurses choose to pursue the highest level of nursing education with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
MSN programs typically take about two years to finish, DNPs typically take three to four years to finish, and post-master鈥檚 certificate programs are usually shorter, taking one to two years to complete. When counting your undergraduate education, it can take a total of to complete your education to become a family nurse practitioner.
If you are looking for a flexible FNP program that can easily be adjusted to your schedule, you may want to consider enrolling in an online program. This can be especially helpful for aligning your study time with your schedule as a working nurse. Whatever program you choose should be accredited in alignment with certification and licensure standards.
Pass a National FNP Certification Exam
In order to become licensed as a family nurse practitioner, you will need to pass a national certification exam to earn an FNP certification from one of the following organizations:
To be eligible for a national exam, you must be a licensed nurse and have a role- or population-specific master鈥檚 degree, post-graduate certificate, or DNP from an institution with a program that is accredited by聽 a recognized nursing accrediting organization. You must also have completed at least 500 faculty-supervised, direct patient care clinical hours. To learn more about the requirements for taking your national exam, review the or the .
Earn Your FNP License in California
Because California is not part of the , you will need to obtain a California license if you want to work as an FNP in this state. Once you pass your exam, you will need to apply for an FNP license with the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN).
The standard include the following:
- Fill out the FNP licensure application online
- Get your educational institution to submit verification of your completion of your FNP program
- Show proof that you passed your national exam (if you graduated from a program that is not approved by the California Board)
You can also choose the 鈥渆quivalency鈥� path to licensure, in which case you will also need verification that you completed your program, curriculum and course desertions, and clinical competency verification by a nurse practitioner and/or physician.
You can through the BreEZe website.
Work as an FNP and Keep Up with Your Renewals
Once you鈥檙e formally licensed, you can start working as a family nurse practitioner in California. Remember to network and make the most of any professional contacts you have gained through your program and past nursing career. If you need help finding the right FNP role, you may be able to work with your academic institution, if they offer career support services.
And make sure to renew your national certifications and state license as needed. The ANCC and AANPCB certifications must be renewed every five years, and FNP licensure in California must be renewed every two years, though your first renewal date may be less than two years from your initial certification date due to how the renewal dates are selected.
Learn more about how to in California.
Get Started on Your FNP Education
If you鈥檙e ready to move forward on your path to becoming a family nurse practitioner in California, it鈥檚 time to enroll in a program. Whether you鈥檙e looking for an FNP program or a BSN to get you started with your preliminary education, 红桃传媒 can help.
红桃传媒 offers FNP specializations for the following online programs:
红桃传媒 also offers a BSN program for those who want to prepare for their FNP program, as well as a DNP program for those who want to further their education after becoming licensed FNPs.
Explore 红桃传媒鈥檚 programs and apply today to get closer to your professional goals!
FAQs
What degree do you need to become a family nurse practitioner in California?
To become an FNP in California, you鈥檒l need a graduate nursing degree with an FNP focus. For most nurses, that鈥檚 a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with an FNP specialization, though a post-master鈥檚 certificate or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) also qualifies. Before you apply, you鈥檒l need an active RN license and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited program.
How long does it take to become a family nurse practitioner in California?
Becoming an FNP in California generally takes six to eight years, including your undergraduate education. An MSN usually takes about two years, a DNP takes three to four years, and a post-master鈥檚 certificate takes one to two years. If you鈥檙e already an RN with a BSN, an RN to MSN program with an FNP specialization can help you reach your goal sooner.
Do you need a California RN license, or does an out-of-state license count?
Yes, you鈥檒l need a California RN license to practice as an FNP in the state. California isn鈥檛 part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate license from another state won鈥檛 authorize you to work here. You鈥檒l apply for licensure through the California Board of Registered Nursing using its
Which national certification exam do you take to become an FNP?
You can earn your FNP certification through one of two national organizations: the or the . To qualify, you鈥檒l need to be a licensed nurse with a master鈥檚 degree, post-graduate certificate, or DNP from an accredited program. You鈥檒l also need at least 500 faculty-supervised, direct patient care clinical hours.
How many clinical hours are required to become a family nurse practitioner?
You鈥檒l need at least 500 faculty-supervised, direct patient care clinical hours to sit for a national FNP certification exam. These hours are built into accredited graduate FNP programs, so you complete them as part of your education rather than on your own afterward.
Can you complete an FNP program online?
Yes. At 红桃传媒, you can earn your FNP specialization online through our RN to MSN, MSN, and post-master鈥檚 certificate programs. An online format helps you align your study time with your schedule as a working nurse, and you complete your clinical hours locally.
How often do you renew your FNP license and certification in California?
In California, you鈥檒l renew your FNP license every two years through the . Your national certification through the ANCC or AANPCB renews every five years. Keep in mind that your first state renewal date may fall a little less than two years after your initial certification, depending on how the dates are assigned.
Request Info
- Flexible online and campus programs
- 65,000 alumni across the globe
- Experienced faculty and staff
Call
Info Session