How to Guide: APRN
How To Apply
"Advanced Practice Registered Nurse" (APRN) is an umbrella title for Registered Nurses who are Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM), Certified Nurse Practitioners (NP), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA), or Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS).
To apply for an APRN license, you must have graduated from a graduate-level advanced practice registered nurse educational program accredited by a national nursing education accrediting body that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Board. Licensure requires that you file an application with the Georgia Board of Nursing. Once licensure is obtained, you must renew your license every two years.
- You must submit all the required documentation and fees to be considered for licensure.
- APRNs are licensed at the role level (NP, CRNS, etc.) rather than at the population level. This means that if you obtain a new population focus, you are not required to submit a new application or fee to begin practice in that population. Once you have completed the necessary education and certification, you may begin practicing in the new population.
- Renewal is completed online and is required by January 31st of the year the license expires.
Select your application type to view instructions on how to apply:
APRN Initial Licensure Checklist
To file online:
Once your checklist is completed, please create an account and upload all documents through the online portal.
After you Apply – What to Expect
- Processing Time – Applications are processed in the order in which they are received.
- If you receive a deficiency letter, please submit all requested items at one time through your account on the GOALS portal, as soon as possible, to prevent processing delays.
- Please Note – Incomplete applications will be withdrawn if noted deficiencies are not satisfied within 60 days of said notification. If your application is withdrawn, you will be required to restart the application process to be considered for licensure, including submission of all required documents and fees.
- Completed applications will be initially reviewed by Board staff and may require review
edby the Board at an upcoming Board Meeting.
- Check Application Status >>
- Keep Your Contact Info Up to Date
- Be sure the email address on your account is correct and current. Email is the primary means of communication used by the Board.
- Additionally, it is important to update your physical and mailing addresses and phone number on your account.
- Wait For It
- You may not legally perform nursing services until you hold an active APRN license.
- You will receive communication regarding the status of your application through emails and text messages.
APRN Initial Licensure Checklist
If Georgia is your primary state of residency, or if you are relocating to Georgia, and you meet all requirements for APRN licensure, apply for APRN Initial Licensure.
If Georgia is your primary state of residency, or if you are relocating to Georgia, and you meet all requirements for APRN licensure, apply for APRN Initial Licensure.
Apply for an APRN Initial License if:
- You are licensed as a registered nurse in Georgia; AND
- You hold a graduate degree from an accredited APRN program; AND
- You hold a current national board certification from a certifying body recognized by the Board in Rule 410-11.
How To Apply
- Complete the application online on the GOALS portal. Once logged in to your account, select APPLY for a LICENSE.
- Paper applications are no longer accepted.
- Official Transcript-Date/Degree Awarded
Please have your nursing program, or the Transcript Exchange Service utilized by your program, email an official transcript directly to the Board office via [email protected].- Must be a Graduate degree or higher
- Must show proof of Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Physical Assessment
- Must show the APRN role
- Practice/Education/Reentry Requirements
Must document one of the following within four years immediately preceding the date of the current application:- Graduation with a graduate degree or higher from a nursing education program; OR
- Five hundred (500) hours of practice as an advanced practice registered nurse. Download the APRN Verification of Employment; OR
- Completion of a Georgia Board-approved APRN reentry/refresher program. Download the APRN Reentry Packet.
- National Certification Verification
- Please have the certifying body email your certification directly to the Board office via [email protected].
- Disciplinary Action/Sanctions (if applicable)
- Court Documents
- Letter of Explanation
- Enrolled in Alternative to Discipline
- Background Consent Form
- Secure & Verifiable Document
- Affidavit of Citizenship
- Immigration Documents (If applicable)
- Declaration of Primary State of Residency
Submit a non-refundable application fee of $75.
Processing Fees
- Online processing fee: $10.00
GAA Initial Licensure Checklist
If Georgia (GA) is NOT your primary state of residency (PSOR), and you are not changing your PSOR to GA, and you have an RN eNLC MSL from a state other than GA; apply for GAA (Georgia Authorization Based on Another State License) licensure.
If you hold a multistate RN eNLC license in a state other than Georgia; AND hold a master’s degree or other graduate degree from an approved nursing education program in the APRN role/specialty; AND have passed the national board certification in the role/specialty; apply for GAA-NP initial authorization.
If Georgia is your primary state of residency (PSOR) OR if you are moving to this state, use the Initial Authority (APRN) application.
How To Apply
- Complete the application online on the GOALS portal. Once logged in to your account, select APPLY for a LICENSE.
- Paper applications are no longer accepted.
- Official Transcript-Date/Degree Awarded
Please have your nursing program, or the Transcript Exchange Service utilized by your program, email an official transcript directly to the Board office at [email protected].- Must be a Graduate degree or higher
- Must show proof of Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Physical Assessment
- Must show the APRN role
- Practice/Education/Reentry Requirements
Must document one of the following within four years immediately preceding the date of the current application:- Graduation with a graduate degree or higher from a nursing education program; OR
- Five hundred (500) hours of practice as an advanced practice registered nurse. Download the APRN Verification of Employment; OR
- Completion of a Georgia Board-approved APRN reentry/refresher program. Download the APRN Reentry Packet.
- National Certification Verification
- Please have the certifying body email your certification directly to the Board office at [email protected].
- Disciplinary Action/Sanctions (if applicable)
- Court Documents
- Letter of Explanation
- Enrolled in Alternative to Discipline
- Background Consent Form
- Secure & Verifiable Document
- Affidavit of Citizenship
- Immigration Documents (If applicable)
- Verification of Multi-State License
- Declaration of Primary State of Residency
Submit a non-refundable application fee of $75.
Processing Fees
- Online processing fee: $10.00
APRN Reinstatement Checklist
APRN Reinstatement requires you to have an active RN license even if your APRN license has lapsed.
Apply for an APRN License by Reinstatement if:
- You have previously been authorized/licensed to practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in the state of Georgia, and your license has lapsed; AND
- You have an active RN license issued by the Georgia Board of Nursing (If your RN license has lapsed, you must first reinstate your RN license); AND
- Georgia is your primary state of residency (PSOR), or you are moving to Georgia,
How to Apply
- Complete the application online on the GOALS portal. Once logged in to your account, select APPLY for a LICENSE.
- Paper applications are no longer accepted.
- Please have your nursing program, or the Transcript Exchange Service utilized by your program, email an official transcript directly to the Board office at [email protected].
- Practice/Education/Reentry Requirements
Must document one of the following within four years immediately preceding the date of the current application:- Graduation with a graduate degree or higher from an APRN education program; OR
- Five hundred (500) hours of practice as an APRN. Download the APRN Verification of Employment; OR
- Completion of a Georgia Board-approved APRN reentry/refresher program. Download the APRN Reentry Packet.
- National Certification Verification
Please have the certifying body email your certification directly to the Board office at [email protected]. - Disciplinary Action/Sanctions (if applicable)
- Court Documents
- Letter of Explanation
- Enrolled in Alternative to Discipline
- Background Consent Form
- Secure & Verifiable Document
- Affidavit of Citizenship
- Immigration Documents (If applicable)
- Declaration of Primary State of Residency
Submit a non-refundable application fee of $90.
Processing Fees
- Online processing fee: $10.00
GAA Reinstatement Checklist
If Georgia is not your primary state of residence, you are not relocating to Georgia, and your GAA license has lapsed, apply for GAA (Georgia Authorization Based on Another State License) Reinstatement.
If Georgia is not your primary state of residence, you are not relocating to Georgia, and your GAA license has lapsed, apply for GAA (Georgia Authorization Based on Another State License) Reinstatement.
Apply for GAA Licensure by Reinstatement if:
- You were previously authorized/licensed to practice as a GAA APRN in Georgia, and your license has since lapsed; AND
- You hold an active RN eNLC (multistate) license in a state other than Georgia; AND
- Georgia is not your primary state of residency (PSOR), and you are not relocating to Georgia,
How to Apply
- Complete the application online on the GOALS portal. Once logged in to your account, select APPLY for a LICENSE.
- Paper applications are no longer accepted.
- Practice/Education/Reentry Requirements
Must document one of the following within four years immediately preceding the date of the current application:- Graduation with a graduate degree or higher from an APRN education program; OR
- Five hundred (500) hours of practice as an advanced practice registered nurse. Download the APRN Verification of Employment; OR
- Completion of a Georgia Board-approved APRN reentry/refresher program. Download the APRN Reentry Packet.
- National Certification Verification
Please have the certifying body email your certification directly to the Board office at [email protected]. - Disciplinary Action/Sanctions (if applicable)
- Court Documents
- Letter of Explanation
- Enrolled in Alternative to Discipline
- Background Consent Form
- Secure & Verifiable Document
- Affidavit of Citizenship
- Immigration Documents (If applicable)
- Verification of Multi-State License
- Declaration of Primary State of Residency
Submit a non-refundable application fee of $90.
Processing Fees
- Online processing fee: $10.00
Renewal
APRN licenses must be renewed every two years. For RNs and APRNs, the renewal period runs from November 1 through January 31. Be sure to keep track of your license expiration date.
APRN licenses must be renewed every two years. For RNs and APRNs, the renewal period runs from November 1 through January 31. Be sure to keep track of your license expiration date.
How To Renew
- Complete the renewal application online on the GOALS portal (add link). Once logged in to your account, select Renew a License.
- Please note that you must renew your RN license before starting your APRN renewal application.
- Carefully follow all instructions and upload the required documents as directed.
- If your APRN license expires, you are prohibited from practicing as an APRN until your license has been reinstated.
* A license will be placed in “Active-Renewal Pending” status when it has been determined that the application requires additional review by the Board.
Submit a non-refundable application fee of $65.
Processing Fees
- Online processing fee: $10.00
How to File
To file online:
Once your checklist is completed, navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
Contact
Address
3920 Arkwright Rd
Suite 195
Macon, Georgia 31210
Phone
Related Resources
- Online Resource NCSBN- National Council for States Board of Nursing
- Online Resource Georgia Composite Medical Board
- Online Resource Check Application Status
Contact Georgia Board of Nursing
Address
3920 Arkwright Rd
Suite 195
Macon, Georgia 31210
Phone