Healthcare offers a range of career paths, from entry-level support roles to advanced practice and leadership. If you’re looking for certifications that lead to the highest-paying and most respected roles in healthcare, this guide focuses on advanced-level credentials that typically require several years of education and training.
Here are four of the most recognized advanced healthcare certifications, with step-by-step guidance on how to earn them, what experience is needed, and where to find official resources. Looking for entry or mid-level healthcare career options? Explore our guides to Entry-Level Healthcare Certifications and Mid-Level Healthcare Certifications.
1. Registered Nurse (RN) – NCLEX-RN®
Why it’s in demand:
RNs are the backbone of patient care in hospitals, clinics, long-term care, and home health. With physician shortages and an aging population, RNs are more essential than ever.
Relevant Roles:
Registered Nurse, Staff Nurse, Charge Nurse, Clinical Nurse.
How to become an RN (Step by Step):
1. Meet the basic requirement
- High school diploma or GED.
2. Complete a nursing education program
- Where to find programs: Universities, community colleges, and hospital-based diploma schools.
- Pathways: Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
- Check program approval status: Verify your program is approved by your State Board of Nursing (BON). Accreditation by ACEN or CCNE is strongly recommended for recognition.
3. Apply for authorization to test (ATT)
- Submit your application to your State BON, which verifies eligibility for the NCLEX-RN®.
4. Pass the NCLEX-RN® exam
- Administered by NCSBN; tests clinical judgment, safety, pharmacology, and patient care.
5. Obtain state licensure
- Licensure is state-specific; once issued, you may practice as an RN.
Salary Range (BLS):
Median $86,070 per year.
Official Sites:
- NCSBN – NCLEX-RN®: https://www.ncsbn.org
- ACEN – Nursing Program Accreditation: https://www.acenursing.org
- CCNE – Nursing Program Accreditation: https://www.aacnnursing.org/ccne-accreditation
2. Nurse Practitioner (NP) – APRN Certification
Why it’s in demand:
NPs are advanced practice registered nurses who provide primary and specialty care, often with prescriptive authority. They fill critical gaps in rural, underserved, and specialty populations.
Relevant Roles:
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Acute Care NP, Psychiatric-Mental Health NP, Pediatric NP.
How to become a Nurse Practitioner (Step by Step):
1. Become a licensed RN
- Active RN license required.
2. Earn a graduate nursing degree (MSN or DNP)
- Where to find programs: Universities and nursing schools offering Nurse Practitioner (NP) tracks.
- Check program approval status: Ensure the program is accredited by CCNE or ACEN and aligned with your chosen Nurse Practitioner (NP) specialty certification body (AANP, ANCC, etc.).
3. Complete supervised clinical training
- 500–700+ clinical hours in your specialty area.
4. Pass a national Nurse Practitioner (NP) certification exam
5. Apply for state Nurse Practitioner (NP) licensure
- Apply to your State BON; many states grant prescriptive authority.
Salary Range (BLS):
Median $121,610 per year.
Official Sites:
- AANP Certification Board: https://www.aanpcert.org
- ANCC Certification: https://www.nursingworld.org
3. Physician Assistant (PA-C)
Why it’s in demand:
Physician Assistants (PAs) provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive healthcare services. They practice in collaboration with physicians and are critical in specialties such as emergency medicine, surgery, and primary care.
Relevant Roles:
Physician Assistant, Surgical PA, Primary Care PA.
How to become a PA-C (Physician Assistant–Certified) (Step by Step):
1. Meet the basic requirement
- Bachelor’s degree (often in biology, health science, or related).
2. Complete an ARC-PA–accredited PA program (Master’s level)
- Where to find programs: Universities and medical schools.
- Check program approval status: Verify accreditation through the ARC-PA Program Directory.
3. Pass the PANCE exam
- Administered by NCCPA; tests medical and surgical knowledge.
4. Obtain state licensure
- Apply through your state medical board to begin practice.
5. Maintain certification
- Renewal every 10 years with PANRE (recertification exam) + continuing medical education (CME): https://www.aafp.org/cme.html
Salary Range (BLS):
Median $126,010 per year.
Official Sites:
- NCCPA – PANCE: https://www.nccpa.net
- ARC-PA Program Directory: https://www.arc-pa.org
4. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Why it’s in demand:
CRNAs provide anesthesia care before, during, and after surgery. They are among the highest-paid advanced practice nurses, often practicing independently in rural and critical-access settings.
Relevant Roles:
Nurse Anesthetist, Anesthesia Provider, Advanced Practice Nurse.
How to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
CRNA (Step by Step):
1. Become a licensed RN with ICU experience
- At least 1 year (often 2+) of full-time critical care nursing required.
2. Complete an accredited CRNA program (doctoral level by 2025)
- Beginning in 2025, all Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) programs will require a doctorate-level degree for entry into practice. This shift marks a formal end to master’s-level entry, aligning CRNA education with evolving national standards in advanced practice nursing.
- Where to find programs: Universities and nursing schools.
- Check program approval status: Confirm the program is accredited by the COA (Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs).
- Program length: 3-4 years (Doctor of Nursing Practice or Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice).
3. Pass the National Certification Exam (NCE)
4. Apply for state licensure as an (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) APRN-CRNA
- Apply through your State BON.
Salary Range (BLS):
Median $212,650 per year.
Official Sites:
- NBCRNA – CRNA Certification: https://www.nbcrna.com
- COA – Accredited Programs: https://www.coacrna.org
Final Thoughts
Advanced certifications like RN, NP, PA-C, and CRNA require significant investments of time, training, and clinical experience, but they unlock the highest levels of responsibility and pay in healthcare. These roles are also some of the most respected and secure careers in the U.S.
Always check program approval status with the official accrediting bodies before enrolling. This ensures your education is recognized and protects your time and money.
Not ready for advanced roles yet? Explore Entry-Level Healthcare Certifications or Mid-Level Healthcare Certifications to find the right starting point for your healthcare career.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. Certification names, requirements, testing procedures, and salary data may change at any time. JobCertifications.com is not affiliated with and does not control the certifying organizations or state agencies mentioned, and is not responsible for any actions taken by those entities. Always verify details directly with your state’s regulatory body and the official certification provider before enrolling or scheduling an exam.
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