Process
The Graduate Advising Manager will discuss the certification and licensure process in Nursing 829 each year for spring semester graduates.
The process can begin once students have:
- Successfully completed all advanced nursing coursework and clinical practice hours required for the DNP program
- Enrolled in their final semester of the program
- Reached the midpoint of that final semester and course professor(s) have verified that they are on track to graduate as anticipated
When these criteria are met, students begin the process by communicating with the Graduate Advising Manager and setting up an account with a credentialing organization. Two of the most common credentialing organizations include ANCC and PNCB (for Peds students only).
Under certain circumstances, a student may be authorized to sit for an examination prior to degree conferral, however, ANCC or PNCB will not issue certification until:
- Final official transcript with degree-conferral date received directly from the university (student will request this from the Registrar’s Office on their own), and,
- The validation of education form is signed by the DNP Faculty Program Director and submitted (School of Nursing helps with this)
Certification Organization
ANCC
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) is the world’s largest nurse credentialing organization and a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association.
The ANCC offers certification in the following disciplines:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
- Pediatric Primary Care NP
- Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
- Adult-Gerontology CNS
PNCP
The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) is one of the largest independent pediatric nursing certification organization in the country, with over 95% of pediatric nurses who certify choosing PNCB (according to PNCB).
The PNCB offers certification in the following disciplines:
- Pediatric Primary Care NP
Nurse Prescriber Licensure (APNP)
Once a student obtains national certification through ANCC or PNCB, they need to apply for an Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriber (APNP) licensure in the state which they plan to practice.
Wisconsin APNP Applicants
Students planning to practice in Wisconsin apply for an APNP license through DSPS. This is an open book exam that students need to apply to take.
- The student must complete Form 2124 on their own. This is the official licensure application and it must be filled out online through the Wisconsin LicensE Portal. LicensE will immediately generate a 10-digit PAR (Process Application Review) number upon submission. This number is needed to complete the rest of the application paperwork.
- Once the student has their application/PAR number, they should download Form 2367 (Certification of Professional Degree), complete the top section—include PAR number—and email it directly to the Graduate Advising Manager for institutional verification and official submission.
Any other questions about the process should be directed to DSPS.
Note for APNP verification: Students should contact ANCC credentialing services with their PAR number, and ANCC will upload the license certification directly to DSPS.
Employment Verification
Education/Insurance Verification
University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing alumni seeking education verification or insurance coverage verification for employment can direct forms to the Academic Affairs Office. Please note that information for educational records older than 10 years may be limited/require additional time.
Clinical Verification
University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing Alumni seeking clinical hour verification for employment can direct forms to the Clinical Placement Team.
