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:
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists practicing in North Carolina
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists endorsing as Registered Nurses into North Carolina
- 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.
This will not inactivate your North Carolina Registered Nurse (RN) license.
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.
The Application Confirmation which serves as your official receipt will be available on the Nurse Portal upon successful completion of the application process. To access, select the appropriate tile under the 'Licenses/Approval to Practice/Certifications' tab on the Home screen, then select the 'Files' tab on the License Information screen.
If your email address is listed with the North Carolina Board of Nursing, you will receive confirmation via email verifying receipt of your online application.
Upon successful completion of the online application, you may check your application status via Nurse Portal. Licensure information can be verified on the Board's website. The Board of Nursing’s electronic database serves as the primary source of licensure information for nurses in North Carolina.