Where can I find certification exam pass rates for specific NP programs in Pennsylvania?

The two main credentialing bodies, AANP and ANCC, publish aggregate pass rate data on their websites. Nationally, the 2025 first-time pass rate on the AANP FNP certification exam was 81 percent (out of nearly 14,900 test takers), while the 2024 first-time pass rate on the ANCC FNP exam was 83 percent (out of about 7,750 test takers). For school-level results, check each nursing program's website directly. Many CCNE- or ACEN-accredited programs in Pennsylvania post their own certification pass rates, graduation rates, and employment outcomes on their program pages. If that data is not listed online, contact the admissions office and ask for their most recent outcome reports.

How can I track whether Pennsylvania will grant nurse practitioners full practice authority?

As of 2026, Pennsylvania still requires a collaborative agreement between nurse practitioners and physicians, which places it in the 'reduced practice' category. Legislative efforts to move toward full practice authority have been introduced multiple times but have not yet passed. To stay current, monitor the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing announcements, follow the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Practitioners (PANA), and track specific bills through the state legislature's website or tools like LegiScan.com. These resources will alert you when new bills are filed or existing ones advance through committee.

Do nurse practitioners in Pennsylvania need a collaborative agreement?

Yes. Pennsylvania law currently requires NPs to maintain a written collaborative agreement with a physician in order to prescribe medications and practice. This agreement outlines the scope of collaboration and must be kept on file. Because legislative proposals to remove this requirement are introduced regularly, it is worth checking with the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing or PANA for the latest regulatory status before you graduate.

What is the best source for NP salary and job outlook data in Pennsylvania?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov) is the most reliable source for state-level salary and employment projections for nurse practitioners. You can filter by state and metropolitan area to see median wages, employment totals, and projected growth for Pennsylvania specifically. Keep in mind that BLS data covers labor market trends. For certification requirements, scope of practice rules, and continuing education mandates, rely on your credentialing body (AANP or ANCC) and the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing instead.

Are there fully online nurse practitioner programs available in Pennsylvania?

Several Pennsylvania universities offer NP programs with coursework delivered entirely online, though virtually all accredited programs require in-person clinical hours. Some schools arrange clinical placements for you, while others expect you to secure your own preceptor sites. If you are working full time, look for programs that offer asynchronous lectures and flexible clinical scheduling. Contact each program's admissions team to confirm how clinicals are structured and whether placement support is provided in your area.

What is the difference between MSN and DNP nurse practitioner programs?

An MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) is the minimum degree required to sit for NP certification and begin practicing. A DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) is a terminal clinical doctorate that adds coursework in leadership, health policy, evidence-based practice, and a scholarly project. Some Pennsylvania programs offer direct BSN-to-DNP tracks, which can streamline the path for nurses who know they want the doctoral credential. The right choice depends on your career goals: an MSN gets you into practice sooner, while a DNP may open doors to executive leadership, academic faculty roles, or advanced specialization.

Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Pennsylvania (2027)

Most important takeaways…

Pennsylvania is a reduced-practice state, so CRNPs must maintain a collaborative agreement with a physician to practice.
The fastest BSN-to-DNP family NP track in Pennsylvania currently takes about 36 months to complete.
An MSN, not a DNP, remains the minimum degree required for NP licensure in Pennsylvania.
University of Pennsylvania NP graduates report median earnings of $111,371 within ten years of completing the program.

Balancing tuition costs against program flexibility is the central tradeoff for most working nurses considering NP programs in Pennsylvania, and the range of options across the state makes that calculus both promising and complicated. Twenty-eight schools offer a combined 98 NP program listings, spanning fully online, hybrid, and on-campus formats from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh and dozens of communities in between.

Pennsylvania's reduced-practice designation means your collaborating physician requirement won't change based on which school you attend, but your total cost, completion timeline, and clinical placement support will vary dramatically. Median earnings for graduates of top programs exceed $100,000 within a decade, yet net tuition can differ by tens of thousands of dollars across otherwise similar tracks. Below, we break down the best online nurse practitioner programs in the state, highlight the most affordable options, and identify the fastest pathways so you can find the right fit for your career and budget.

Pennsylvania's NP Landscape: Practice Authority, Licensing, and Why It Matters

Does Pennsylvania grant nurse practitioners full independent practice authority, or will you need a physician collaboration agreement throughout your career? Pennsylvania is classified as a np scope of practice reduced-practice state as of 2026, meaning certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs) must maintain a written collaborative agreement with a physician to practice and prescribe.¹ This requirement is career-long: there is no transition to independence after a certain number of supervised hours, and no sunset provision that allows NPs to practice autonomously once they've accumulated enough experience.

Recent Legislative Efforts Toward Full Practice Authority

Two bills introduced in 2025, Senate Bill 25 and House Bill 739, sought to expand NP practice authority, but neither has advanced beyond committee referral as of June 2026. SB 25 was referred to the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee in January 2025³, while HB 739 was sent to the House Professional Licensure Committee the following month.⁴ HB 739 also proposed a credential name change to Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Certified Nurse Practitioner (APRN-CNP). A separate pilot program has been floated that would allow CRNPs with 3,600 hours of recent primary care experience under a supervising physician, and participation in the state's MCare malpractice program, to practice independently in primary care specialties. That pilot remains a proposal, not law, so for now you should plan your Pennsylvania career around the collaborative agreement requirement. For a broader look at where other states stand, see our list of full practice authority states.

How to Earn Your CRNP License in Pennsylvania

The path to nurse practitioner licensing follows a familiar sequence. You must first earn a master's or higher nursing degree from an accredited program. Most Pennsylvania programs hold accreditation from either the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Accreditation ensures your program meets national standards for curriculum, clinical hours, and faculty qualifications, and certification boards will not accept degrees from unaccredited schools. After graduation, you sit for a national certification exam in your population focus (family, adult-gerontology, pediatrics, psychiatric-mental health, or another specialty) offered by either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB). Once you pass, you apply to the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing for your CRNP license, which requires an active Pennsylvania RN license in good standing. Your collaborative agreement must be signed and on file before you begin practice, and it must list any prescriptive privileges. Pennsylvania CRNPs may prescribe Schedule II through V controlled substances when specified in the agreement and within the scope of their specialty.

Why Pennsylvania Remains a Strong Market for New NPs

Pennsylvania's nurse practitioner workforce benefits from several demand drivers. The state's large aging population fuels chronic disease management and primary care needs, especially in rural counties where physician shortages are acute. Major academic medical centers in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh create robust clinical placement pipelines for students and strong post-graduation hiring networks. These same systems often provide bridge-to-practice residencies and onboarding support for new graduates, easing the transition from student to autonomous clinician, even within the collaborative framework.

Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in Pennsylvania, 2027

Pennsylvania's online and hybrid NP programs stretch from Ivy League research centers in Philadelphia to public universities built around nurses who cannot leave their jobs. Every school on this list offers NP coursework that can be completed largely at a distance, with clinical hours arranged closer to home. Compare each option on placement support, tuition, and certification exam preparation before you apply.

How we ranked these

Factors considered

Earnings ten years after entry
Tuition adjusted for local costs
Graduation rates and program availability
Online and hybrid delivery flexibility
Preparation for national certification

Data sources

Program-level records maintained in house
Independent editorial research
National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) — nces.ed.gov
State cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities — bea.gov
Federal College Scorecard outcomes data — collegescorecard.ed.gov

UN

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA · $48,000/yr

Best for: RNs seeking research-intensive academic medical training

The University of Pennsylvania anchors the state's NP landscape from Philadelphia, pairing a nationally recognized nursing school with clinical placements across Penn Medicine and other mid-Atlantic health systems. Offerings range from MSN tracks in adult-gerontology acute care and psychiatric mental health to a 12-month post-graduate acute care certificate for practicing NPs. Fellowship funding covers full tuition for students who commit to serving underserved communities, and nurses employed by affiliated academic practice partner systems may qualify for tuition discounts.

University of Pennsylvania

CCNE accredited

12 course units required for the MSN
Hybrid format with immersive simulation technology
Concentrations in cardiology, trauma, general surgery, transplant, and nephrology
Minor options include oncology, palliative care, and global health
Mentored clinical experience with preceptor matching
Focus on acute care management and evidence-based practice
Prepares for national acute care certification

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University of Pennsylvania

Online, part-time 12-month program with year-round starts
Requires a BSN and MSN plus a minimum 3.0 GPA
RN and APRN licensure plus three months of APRN experience
Prerequisites in advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and assessment
Total cost of about $7,178 per credit unit
No federal aid; alternative loans and payment plans offered
Preceptor must be identified for clinical training

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University of Pennsylvania

CCNE accredited

Hybrid format with online courses and weekly campus seminars
14 months full-time or three years part-time
Three-semester clinical practicum included
BSN required with a minimum 3.0 GPA and RN licensure
College statistics course prerequisite
Total cost of roughly $103,526 to $105,814
Fellowships available for students serving underserved communities

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UN

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA · $28,000/yr

Best for: Working nurses wanting distance-friendly doctoral pathways

The University of Pittsburgh builds its NP options around the DNP, with family, adult-gerontology acute and primary care, and psychiatric mental health tracks. Several pathways run by distance education, which suits working nurses across western Pennsylvania who cannot relocate. CCNE accreditation extends through 2034, and the school leans on a research-intensive curriculum with a required scholarly DNP project. Clinical requirements are substantial, including 1,020 hours in the acute care track.