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Certification and Population Foci

APRN’s must maintain proof of current national certification with the KBN. The following topics are addressed on this page:

  • Where to submit proof of certification/recertification
  • Documentation requirements
  • KBN recognized APRN certification population foci
  • Accepted national certifying organizations
  • What happens if I do not upload proof of certification/recertification before the expiration date that is on file with the KBN?

Applicants

Proof of certification can be mailed, faxed, or emailed to:

Mailing address:

  • Kentucky Board of Nursing
  • ATTN: APRN
  • 312 Whittington Pkwy., Suite 300
  • Louisville, KY 40222

Fax: 502-429-3336

Email: kbn-cred@ky.gov

If you have a current, active Kentucky APRN license

If you hold a current Kentucky APRN license that has not lapsed or been voided you will need to upload your proof of certification/recertification to the APRN Portal/APRN Update

Uploading proof of certification/recertification to the APRN Portal is the only way this documentation will be accepted by the KBN if you have a current, active APRN license.

201 KAR 20:056, Section 7(2)(b)(1) states “[a]n APRN who does not provide evidence of current certification or recertification prior to its expiration date shall have the APRN license voided.” Proof of recertification must be provided to the KBN prior to the expiration date of the certification that is on file with the KBN. To determine the expiration date of the certification date that is on file with the KBN, visit the Online Validation.

It is recommend that an APRN begin the process of recertification at least ninety days prior to the expiration date. APRNs can submit their renewal applications to their certifying organization as early as one year prior to the certification expiration date. Allow sufficient time for the recertification to be processed by the certifying organization. The recertification must be issued and provided to the KBN prior to the expiration of the certification date on file with the KBN. It is the APRN’s responsibility to ensure that the certification is received by the KBN prior to the expiration date, even if the APRN has requested that a third party send the certification to the KBN.

If your Kentucky APRN license has lapsed or been voided

If your Kentucky APRN license has lapsed or been voided you will no longer be able to submit documentation to the APRN Portal. Instead you must mail, fax, or email proof of certification/recertification.

Mailing address:

  • Kentucky Board of Nursing
  • ATTN: APRN
  • 312 Whittington Pkwy., Suite 300
  • Louisville, KY 40222

Fax: 502-429-3336

Email: kbn-cred@ky.gov

You must hold current certification with a KBN recognized national certifying organization in order to be issued a permanent APRN license in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. A copy of the certification/recertification must be provided prior to the expiration date that is on file with the KBN (see above regarding how to submit proof of certification for additional information).

All proof of national certification must include:

  • Name of national certifying organization
  • Your name
  • Certification number
  • Certification expiration date

Acceptable forms of certification are:

  • a wall certificate
  • wallet card
  • certification letter
  • email or certifying body online validation

Membership cards are not accepted as proof of certification.

Listed below are the population foci per designation (roles) that are KBN approved for licensure:

  • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
    • National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) Certification
  • Certified Nurse Midwife
    • America Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) Certification
  • Certified Nurse Practitioner
    • Adult (Acute & Primary Care)
    • Adult Gerontology (Acute & Primary Care)
    • Adult Psych Mental Health
    • Family
    • Gerontological
    • Neonatal
    • Pediatric (Acute & Primary Care)
    • Psych Mental Health (Across the Lifespan)
    • Women’s Health
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist
    • Acute Care (Across the Lifespan)
    • Adult
    • Adult Gerontology
    • Adult Psych Mental Health
    • Child/Adolescent Psych Mental Health
    • Gerontology
    • Neonatal
    • Pediatric
    • Psych Metal Health (Across the Lifespan)

Currently licensed Kentucky APRNs who fail to continually renew APRN licensure and national certification in community health, critical care, oncology and/or school population foci will be unable to reinstate APRN licensure in those foci.

Note: KBN will reflect two population foci per designation on our online validation. If you are certified in more than one population foci, you may send that information to KBN for inclusion on our website.

If you are currently licensed in one designation and want to be licensed in a second designation, you will need to submit the APRN initial application and accompanying required documents for the second designation. For more information see APRN initial application.

APRN's must maintain current national certification and it must be on file with KBN. If your national certification lapses or is not provided to the KBN prior to the expiration date that is on file with the KBN, your APRN license will be invalidated and you may not practice as an APRN in Kentucky.

If this occurs you must stop working as an APRN until your APRN license has been reinstated. Learn more about how to reinstate your APRN license.

Working after your APRN license has been invalidated may result in discipline.

Document Library

All KBN documents and forms can now be found in our Document Library.

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