Critical Care Nursing License Requirements

Licensing for critical care requires a national-level RN license. In addition, each state has its own requirements for licensing.

Many states recognize licensing in one state as valid for their state, but not all states belong to these compacts. Therefore, it is the nurse's responsibility to make sure that his or her license is operable in any given state, or at least valid in the states in which he or she wishes to work.

National certification, in general, creates an additional level of portability for critical care nurse licensing. For that reason, certification serves as an additional incentive for critical care nurses, especially traveling nurses, to continue their education and professional development. Please see the list of practice specialties elsewhere in this Web site for critical care specialties and related certification organizations.