Graduate Student Licensure Information
- Education Validation
- ANCC
- PNCB
- WI Licensure
- Education or Insurance Verification
- Clinical Verification
Policy for Education Validation
While the credentialing center may authorize a candidate to sit for an advanced practice certification examination after all coursework is complete and prior to degree conferral, the center will retain the exam results and will not issue certification until two additional documents are submitted. These are the 1) final official transcript with degree-conferral date received directly from the university, and 2) the validation of education form signed by the DNP Faculty Program Director.
Upon request, the School of Nursing will complete the validation of education form prior to degree-conferral, thus confirming eligibility to test. This service will be available only for students who 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
The credentialing process is discussed by the Graduate Advising Manager in Nursing 829 each spring semester for spring semester graduates.
Once these criteria are met, students may submit their request for education validation via email directly to the Graduate Academic Services Coordinator. The coordinator will confirm appropriate course completion and final semester progression and submit the form, as appropriate. The School of Nursing will not validate education for students who have not completed these eligibility requirements.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) is the world’s largest nurse credentialing organization and a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association. For more information on NP/CNS licensing, click here. The ANCC offers certification in the following disciplines:
Nurse Practitioner Certifications
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
- Pediatric Primary Care NP
- Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
Clinical Nurse Specialist Certifications
- Adult-Gerontology CNS
The PNCB is the largest independent pediatric nursing certification organization in the country, with over 95% of all pediatric nurses who certify choosing the PNCB (according to PNCB exam brochure).
State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services website
Once student obtains national certification through ANCC or PNCB, they can pursue their nurse prescriber license through DSPS if they are planning to practice in Wisconsin – this is an open book exam that students need to apply to take.
The student should complete the top section of Form 2367 (including the application number) and send to the Graduate Advising Manager for submission.
Then the student needs to complete Form 2124 on their own, which is the actual application.
Any other questions about the process, should be directed to DSPS at the website.
Note for APNP verification, students should contact ANCC credentialing services with their PAR number, and ANCC will upload the license certification directly to DSPS.
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.
University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing Alumni seeking clinical hour verification for employment can direct forms to the Clinical Placement Team.
