Steps to Becoming an APRN in Georgia

georgia nursing

1Get your Graduate Degree in Georgia
2Earn your National Certification in Georgia
3Apply for your Authorization in Georgia
4Renewing your Authorization in Georgia

The Georgia Board of Nursing (478-207-2440) grants APRN authority to qualified registered nurses working in the state.

Four types of APRN are authorized to work in Georgia:

  • Nurse Practitioner (NP)
  • Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist in Psychiatric/Mental Health (CNS/PMH)
  • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA)

You must be a registered professional nurse in Georgia before pursuing APRN authority.

Georgia Job Statistics

  • As of May 2020, nurse practitioners (NPs) in Georgia earn an average of $106,220 annually.
  • NPs in Georgia earn about 80% more than the state’s median household income.
  • Registered nurses (RNs) working in Georgia make an average of $71,510 annually.
  • 2020 NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates for nursing school graduates in GA: 88.8%
  • Approximately 73,230 RNs and 8,120 NPs are licensed in Georgia.
  • If you hold an RN license in a state other than Georgia, use the Application for Licensure by Endorsement to apply for a Georgia RN license.
  • If you have never been licensed as an RN in Georgia or any other state, and graduated from a Georgia Board of Nursing-approved nursing program or other traditional nursing program, apply for Georgia RN licensure using the Application for Licensure by Exam.
  • If you have never been licensed as an RN in Georgia or any other state and graduated from a non-traditional nursing program, use the Application for Licensure by Exam for Graduates of Nontraditional Nursing Education Programs.
  • If you received RN training in another country, use the Application for Licensure by Exam for Graduates of International Nursing Education Programs. You must also request a course-by-course evaluation to be performed by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) and have it mailed directly to the Board office.
  • If your Georgia RN license is currently inactive or expired, use the Application for Reinstatement.

All RN license application forms for all above-mentioned scenarios can be downloaded here.

With an active RN license, take the following steps to be granted APRN authority in Georgia.


Step 1. Get Your Graduate Degree

You must have a master’s degree or higher in nursing or in a specialty area of advanced practice registered nursing to be eligible for APRN authority in Georgia.

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Qualified Graduate Programs

The graduate nursing program you choose must be Board-approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing or, if it is an out-of-state program, it must be deemed equivalent to a Board-approved program.

The Board approves advanced practice nursing programs from in-state institutions that are part of the Technical College System of Georgia or a unit of the University System of Georgia if accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

A list of in-state Board-approved graduate programs may be found here.

Out of state programs must be accredited by a regional accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) (check Institutional and Specialized or Programmatic Accrediting Agencies).

Complete Board rules specific to program approval and accreditation may be found here.

Course Requirements

The Georgia Board of Nursing requires all APRNs to have completed the following courses:

  • Advanced pathophysiology
  • Advanced pharmacology
  • Advanced health assessment

Additionally, clinical nurse specialists in psychiatric/mental health must also take:

  • At least 2 graduate courses in psychiatric/mental health nursing
  • Supervised practice for each of the 2 graduate courses in psychiatric/mental health nursing

Certified registered nurse anesthetists should take coursework in:

  • Preanesthetic preparation and evaluation
  • Anesthesia induction, maintenance and emergence
  • Perianesthetic and clinical support functions
  • Postanesthesia care

Specialization

Georgia allows APRN-authorized nurse practitioners (NPs) to specialize in a population focus, disease or medical subspecialty, or care type. National certification organizations granting this type of specialized certification may stipulate that the graduate degree you hold be specific to the population focus or medical subspecialty for which you seek certification.

Examples of specializations and subspecialties recognized by the Georgia Board of Nursing include:

  • Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult Nurse Practitioner
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult or Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
  • Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner


Step 2. Earn Your National Certification

The Georgia Board of Nursing authorizes four types of APRN. You must become nationally certified in the APRN general area of specialty in which you wish to practice. Independent national certification agencies exist to facilitate this process, each one setting its own requirements regarding education, experience, and examination.

As an APRN in Georgia, you may become nationally certified in one area or multiple areas.

Advanced Practice Registered Nursing Designation Options

The Georgia Board of Nursing grants APRN authorization in these general areas of specialty:

  • Nurse practitioner (NP)
  • Certified nurse-midwife (CNM)
  • Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
  • Clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric/mental health (CNS/PMH)

Certification Programs

The Georgia Board of Nursing has approved these national certification agencies for APRN certification in the respective general areas of specialty, as well as subspecialties:

It is imperative that you become nationally certified in at least one APRN specialty prior to continuing with Georgia’s APRN authorization process. Contact the appropriate agency for further information.


Step 3. Apply for your Authorization

Under state and federal law, your social security number must be disclosed on your application for APRN authorization. In doing so, you are granting consent for your social security number to be made available to the National Practitioner’s Databank (NPDB), the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank (HIPDB), other licensing boards, and other regulatory agencies for the purpose of licensure tracking.

File the Application for Authorization as an Advanced Practice Nurse. Be sure to check the box corresponding to the general area of specialty for which you are applying. If you seek more than one APRN authorization, you must submit a separate application for each APRN authorization you wish to obtain. Along with your completed application:

  • Have your national certification agency send verification of your certification electronically to the Board at [email protected]
  • Submit an official, sealed transcript from your graduate program
  • Enclose a $60 application fee via check or money order payable to the Georgia Board of Nursing
  • Have your signature on the application notarized

Send your completed application packet inclusive of all materials mentioned above to Georgia Board of Nursing, 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, GA 31217.

Applications are reviewed in the order received. Your APRN pocket card authorization will be issued to you by mail if you meet all requirements. If you are deficient in any requirements, you will be notified by mail. Your application status may be tracked online.

Criminal History Background Check

When you received your Georgia RN license, you should have undergone a criminal history background check. On your application for APRN authorization, you must truthfully answer questions regarding any board disciplinary actions or legal convictions against you and provide documentation as necessary.

Additionally, you must sign a Consent Form (part of the application packet) authorizing the Georgia Board of Nursing to access any of your existing Georgia criminal history records. This also authorizes the Board to perform periodic criminal history checks during the term of your licensure with the state.


Step 4. Renewing Your Authorization

Your Georgia APRN authorization expires biannually on January 31st of odd-numbered years simultaneous with the expiration of your RN license.

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License Renewal Notice

The Board will send you an email reminder when your license renewal is approaching. You may renew your RN license and APRN authorization and pay all fees online (currently $65 for RN license renewal and $65 per each APRN authorization renewal).

Continuing Education

The Georgia Board of Nursing does not require APRNs to complete continuing education to keep authorizations active. You must, however, fulfill the continuing education requirements of your national certification agency, as maintaining national certification is imperative to renewing your APRN authorization in Georgia. Contact your agency for details on continuing education requirements.

Verification of national certification is not required unless you are subject to a Board audit.

Expired Authorization Renewal Application

If your APRN authorization has expired, you may apply for its reinstatement. This carries a $90 fee.

You must submit a completed Application for Reinstatement, found here, current photograph, verification of your national certification, and documentation of three months or 500 hours of licensed practice as a registered nurse (or advanced practice registered nurse) during the past four years.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Associations in Georgia

Consider becoming a member of one of the following professional organizations that work in support of Georgia’s APRNs:


Georgia Nurse Practitioner Salary

The average annual salary for a nurse practitioner (NP) in Georgia is $106,220. Experienced NPs in the top ten percent pull in quite a bit more: at least $143,090 annually. More than enough to build a comfortable life.

Area Name
Employment
Annual mean wage
Albany
170
78950
Athens-Clarke County
200
97320
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell
4740
107090
Augusta-Richmond County
300
101970
Brunswick
30
71730
Columbus
140
118590
Dalton
120
97410
East Georgia nonmetropolitan area
140
96970
Gainesville
160
99740
Hinesville
-
107280
Macon
330
101540
Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area
440
136820
North Georgia nonmetropolitan area
170
94710
Rome
90
100950
Savannah
280
95220
South Georgia nonmetropolitan area
460
100920
Valdosta
160
103890
Warner Robins
80
114170

Registered Nurse Salary

Registered nurses (RNs) in Florida pull in $71,510 annually. That’s a respectable living no matter where you are in the Peach State. As you build your resume and reach the top percent, that pay could reach hit $98,810 or more annually.

Area Name
Employment
Annual mean wage
Athens-Clarke County
1660
71020
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell
38910
75980
Augusta-Richmond County
6720
74250
Brunswick
1300
54810
Columbus
2060
64420
Dalton
860
63060
East Georgia nonmetropolitan area
1370
58540
Gainesville
2190
61970
Hinesville
170
70810
Macon
2190
69310
Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area
1740
70010
North Georgia nonmetropolitan area
1770
64590
Rome
1360
71380
Savannah
4210
64870
South Georgia nonmetropolitan area
3660
63110
Valdosta
-
68010
Warner Robins
950
66640

Nursing Instructors and Teachers Salary

Do you have a desire to teach? You can make a respectable living as a nursing instructor. In Georgia, these professionals make $72,090 per year, on average.

Area Name
Employment
Annual median wage
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell
300
64240
North Georgia nonmetropolitan area
70
66290
Savannah
60
86960
South Georgia nonmetropolitan area
70
57870

Nurse Administrator Salary

(Includes Nurse Managers, Directors, and Chief Nursing Officers)

Feel like running a team? Take a serious look into becoming a nurse administrator. Admins in Georgia make an average $103,130 per year. It only goes up from there: A minimum of $172,200 annually for the top 10 percent.

Area Name
Employment
Annual mean wage
Albany
160
71730
Athens-Clarke County
290
106770
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell
NA
109450
Augusta-Richmond County
880
114440
Brunswick
50
83020
Columbus
350
92560
Dalton
120
85040
East Georgia nonmetropolitan area
190
94770
Hinesville
70
96750
Macon
400
97320
Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area
410
96530
North Georgia nonmetropolitan area
330
81920
South Georgia nonmetropolitan area
490
72770
Valdosta
130
95270
Warner Robins
100
96200

Nurse Anesthetists Salary

Nurse anesthetists are some of the most well paid nurses in Georgia, earning an average $179,630 per year. Senior anesthetists in the top ten percent make $205,190 and above.

Area Name
Employment
Annual mean wage
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell
170
188240
Augusta-Richmond County
NA
185090
South Georgia nonmetropolitan area
NA
148800

Nurse Midwives Salary

Picture yourself bringing new life into the world? You’ll make a good living as a midwife in Georgia. These folks make $92,840 per year, on average. The top earners in this profession bring in six figures: $136,190 or better per year.

Area Name
Employment
Annual mean wage
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell
NA
110610


2020 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures for 1)
Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Midwives; 2) Medical and Health Services Managers (Nurse Administrators); 3) Registered Nurses; and 4) Postsecondary Nursing Instructors and Teachers reflect state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. 2019 US Census Bureau figures for state median household income provided for comparison. Data Accessed December 2021.

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