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Nurse Anesthetists

Certification, Licensing, and Special Requirements

Certification or Licensing

All registered nurses must be licensed to practice in the United States. In addition, nurse anesthetists are required to pass a national certification exam given by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). All states recognize certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) status. Certified nurse anesthetists are not required to work under the supervision of an anesthesiologist, although some licensing laws do stipulate that they must work with a physician.

CRNAs must be recertified every two years according to the criteria established by the NBCRNA. Part of this requirement includes earning 40 continuing education credits every two years. The American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses also offers a certification program.

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