Liberty meets education requirements.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Post-BSN) – California

Liberty University meets education requirements; however, Liberty University School of Nursing (LUSON) is unable to place students in practicums in the state of California, due to California Board of Nursing educational and license regulations for nurse practitioners. Students may be eligible to complete practicum in an approved state. Please contact your School of Nursing Practicum Coordinators for more information regarding approved practicum states.

California State License Requirements:

a. RN License.

i. You must maintain a current, unencumbered RN license for any Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner program.
ii. California is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact Administration, therefore, to participate in practicum in an approved state the student must hold, at minimum, an active RN license in the approved practicum state.
iii. Any change in licensure status must be reported to the Liberty University School of Nursing Online Student Support Coordinator

b. APRN License Application Requirements

i. Education

1. A nurse can become an NP by 1) completing an in-state program recognized by the Board as meeting standards 2) earning certification through an accepted organization or 3) completing an equivalent program.
2. Applicants must provide documentation of completion of a master’s degree in nursing or clinical field related to nursing, or a graduate degree in nursing.
3. Applicants must request their education program send transcripts to the CA BON. To request an official transcript, you may reach out to the Registrar’s office
4. Applicants must complete the first section of the “Verification of the Completion of a Psychiatric/Mental Health Academic Program” form, then send the form to the academic institution for completion. In addition, to furnish Schedule II controlled substances, applicants must complete the first section of the Nurse Practitioner Advanced Pharmacology Course Verification form, then send the form to the academic institution for completion. These forms, with the applicant portion completed, can be emailed to our Online Student Support Coordinator for verification of program completion.
5. In order to be certified by equivalency, applicants will need to verify clinical experience and clinical competency in provision of primary care services. Clinical competency will be verified by both a licensed physician and a licensed nurse practitioner.

ii. Certification

Applicants must be nationally certified if they complete a program not approved by CA BON. This program enables students to sit for national certification.

Board Link:

The Board is very specific about education and certification requirements. Students must be able to demonstrate that these requirements have been met.
Please visit the California Board of Nursing for specific steps and guidelines for seeking APRN licensure in this state: Agency (State Board of Nursing): APRN Licensure

Practicum Placement Support – Frequently Asked Questions:

a. Will LUSON support practicum placement in California?

Liberty University School of Nursing students are not approved for practicum in the State of California. However, LUSON will support practicum placement in an approved state

b. Are there any specific requirements to consider when completing practicum as a non-resident of an approved state?

i. Students must hold, at minimum, an RN license in the state where they plan to complete their practicum experience.
ii. Some states require the student or educational institution to submit a report detailing student, faculty and preceptor information for all students completing practicum in the state.