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A nurse practitioner (nurse practitioner) is licensed to provide a wide range of health care services, which may include: Take patient history, perform physical examination and order procedures and laboratory tests.
Diagnose, treat and manage illnesses.
Provide prescriptions and coordinate referrals.
Provide pamphlets on disease prevention and healthy lifestyles.
Perform certain procedures, such as bone marrow biopsy or lumbar puncture.

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Nursing professionals work in various specialties, such as:
Cardiology
Emergencies
Family Nursing
Geriatrics
Neonatology
Nephrology
Oncology
Pediatrics
Primary Care
School health
Women's health

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Their scope of care (scope of work) and licensure (authority granted to a provider) depends on the laws in the state in which they work. Some nurse practitioners work independently in clinics or hospitals without physician supervision. Others work with physicians as a health care team.

Like many other professionals, nurse practitioners have two levels of regulation. They obtain a license or professional card through a process that takes place at the state level, in accordance with state laws. On the other hand, they become certified through national organizations with uniform practice standards across all states.

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Licensure laws for nurse practitioners vary considerably from state to state. Today, more states require nurse practitioners to have a master's degree and national certification.

In some states, the practice of nurse practitioners is completely independent. Other states require these professionals to work with a physician to have prescribing authority or the right to be licensed.

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National certification is offered through various nursing organizations (such as the American Nurses Association, Pediatric Nursing Certification Board and others). Most of these organizations require nursing professionals to complete an approved master's level professional nursing program prior to taking the certification exam. Exams tend to be offered in areas of specialization, such as:

Acute Illness Care

Adult health

Family health

Geriatric health

Neonatal health

Child/pediatric health

Mental/psychiatric health

Women's health