Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

The North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) initiated a verification process for nurse anesthetists, a category of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) beginning July 1, 2003 to assure that the following criteria are met as per Administrative Rule 21 NCAC 36.0226(b) "Nurse Anesthesia Practice", nurse anesthetist qualifications and practice parameters are defined as follows:

"The Registered Nurse who completes a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, is credentialed as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists, and who maintains recertification through the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists, may perform nurse anesthesia activities in collaboration with a Physician, Dentist, Podiatrist, or other lawfully qualified health care provider, but may not prescribe a medical treatment regimen or make a medical diagnosis except under the supervision of a licensed Physician."

In order to assure that Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists are meeting these regulatory requirements, each nurse anesthetist must verify his/her certification status with the North Carolina Board of Nursing and thereafter on a periodic basis consistent with the nurse anesthetist’s national certification renewal cycle.

Recognition Requirements

• A current permanent or temporary North Carolina Registered Nurse (RN) license or current Compact State Registered Nurse with multi-state privilege to practice (via submitting Compact State Application in Nurse Portal); and
• A current National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) Certification

Initial Recognition - Update Recognition

Fee Information: $25.00 (Initial and Renewal of Recognition)

FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE

Valid Forms of Payment:

• Credit or Debit Card; MasterCard or Visa only

Process for Initial Recognition

Individuals who must verify and complete Initial Recognition are:

1. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists practicing in North Carolina
2. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists endorsing as Registered Nurses into North Carolina
3. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists licensed by another Compact State practicing in North Carolina under the "multi-state privilege to practice terms of the Nurse Licensure Compact"

Process for Updating Recognition

All Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists are expected to recertify their National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) National Certification on a cycle determined by National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). Approximately 60 days prior to expiration of the National Certification, the North Carolina Board of Nursing will send the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist a notice to also update their North Carolina Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Recognition and to provide their current National Certification number and new expiration date to the Board of Nursing.

Request Inactive Status

Fee Information: There is no fee for this process

You may request inactive status of your North Carolina Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Recognition if you plan to discontinue the practice of Nurse Anesthesia in North Carolina.