State Authorization and Professional Licensure
Looking to grow your career with PNW’s College of Nursing? Review state-by-state guidelines for post-secondary distance education as well as licensure, endorsement or certification.
Purdue University Northwest participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) oversight of postsecondary distance education. As a participating university, PNW may offer online programming to students in all SARA states including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and all US states except California. Currently, California does not participate and is not included as SARA state.
Besides SARA authorization, additional state or federal rules may apply that prohibit PNW from offering nursing programs in other states. Students located outside of Indiana should contact the PNW College of Nursing at nursing@pnw.edu before enrolling in an online PNW nursing program.
If students physically relocate during their PNW study, they must contact their program advisor and notify them of their relocation. PNW may not be able to continue instruction in the new state of location.
The US Department of Education requires that all institutions who offer onsite or online programs that lead to licensure, endorsement or certification publicly state whether their programs meet all states’ requirements or whether the institution has not made such a determination.
Each state board of nursing determines eligibility for professional licensure, endorsement and certification for all levels of nursing practice. PNW’s College of Nursing has not yet made a determination of all 50 state requirements. However, our registered nurse entry programs prepare students who are state-eligible to take the NCLEX examination, the board examination required for registered nurse licensure.
Accreditation
PNW’s BSN and MSN nursing programs are nationally accredited. Our prelicensure BSN program options are also accredited by the Indiana State Board of Nursing. We therefore satisfy any state that requires state and/or national accreditation for practice privileges.
Specialities
Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
Our graduate curriculum for the adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist meets all the requirements for eligibility to take both the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses ACCNS-AG examinations for certification.
Family Nurse Practicioner
Our graduate curriculum for the family nurse practitioner meets all of the requirements for eligibility to take both the ANCC and American Association of Nurse Practitioner (AANP) Certification Board’s Family Nurse Practitioner board exam. Therefore, PNW College of Nursing meets any state that requires certification for the adult-gerontology or family nurse practitioner practice privileges. States may have additional requirements for full practice authority in these advanced practice roles.
State-By-State Guidelines
Indiana
PNW’s College of Nursing offers online and onsite programs in nursing based on the State of Indiana’s requirements for licensure, certification or endorsement for practice privileges and title protection for registered nurses, advanced practice nurses and other nurses with advanced preparation.
Students physically located in other states should always contact their home state’s board of nursing or other regulatory body that is responsible for determining their home state’s requirements for certification, licensure or endorsement.
Arizona
Purdue University Northwest College of Nursing is approved to offer online advanced practice registered nurse programs for the family nurse practitioner and adult gerontology clinical nurse specialist and the concentrations in the nurse executive and nurse educator roles. Purdue Northwest may offer post-licensure online distance education programs as Arizona is a SARA state.
Arizona does not have jurisdiction over RN-to-BSN programs, master’s programs not leading to advanced practice certification and doctoral programs not leading to advanced practice certification.
Arizona State Board of Nursing
Illinois
PNW meets requirements for initial RN licensure if students successfully complete the BSN program and pass the NCLEX board examination. PNW is permitted to offer post-licensure online distance education programs in nursing in the State of Illinois as an institutional member of NC-SARA under the SARA’s terms and conditions.
Students who are located in Illinois and successfully complete post-licensure programs in nursing are eligible for licensure, certification and endorsement as an Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist and Family Nurse Practitioner.
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Michigan
Purdue Northwest is an approved school for RN licensure in Michigan. The Michigan Board of Nursing does not regulate post-licensure distance education programs and is a SARA state.
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Wisconsin
PNW is authorized to offer post-licensure online distance education programs in nursing in the State of Wisconsin as approved by the Wisconsin Board of Nursing and as an institutional member of NC-SARA under the SARA’s terms and conditions. Students who are located in Wisconsin and successfully complete post-licensure programs in nursing are eligible for licensure, certification and endorsement as an Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist and Family Nurse Practitioner.
Wisconsin Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
All Other U.S. States and Territories
Purdue Northwest’s College of Nursing offers online and onsite programs in nursing based on the State of Indiana’s requirements for licensure or certification for practice privileges and title protection for registered nurses, advanced practice nurses and other nurses with advanced preparation.
Students physically located in other states should always contact their home state’s board of nursing or other regulatory body that is responsible for determining their home state’s requirements for certification, licensure or endorsement.
PNW has not yet made a determination of our ability to offer programs to all other states beyond those listed above.