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Idaho CRNA License 2026: APRN Requirements, Full Practice Authority, Salary

AH
Ava Health Team
··9 min read

Idaho is a full practice authority state for all APRNs including CRNAs. No physician supervision or collaborative agreement is required, and Idaho has opted out of the federal Medicare CRNA supervision requirement. Boise has grown into a substantial CRNA market driven by rapid population growth and the expansion of St. Luke's and Saint Alphonsus regional systems. Rural Idaho — particularly Southeastern Idaho, the Magic Valley, and North Idaho — has persistent CRNA shortages with competitive recruitment packages.

Practice Model

  • Full Practice Authority — no supervision or collaboration agreement required
  • Idaho has opted out of federal Medicare CRNA supervision requirement
  • ACT model: Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center (Boise) — selected service lines
  • CRNA-independent model: St. Luke's Health System (primary model throughout network), Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, Magic Valley Regional, rural CAH facilities
  • St. Luke's is Idaho's largest health system and the dominant CRNA employer statewide

Application Requirements

  • Active Idaho RN license (compact or ID-issued)
  • Current NBCRNA certification
  • Official nurse anesthesia program documentation
  • Completed ibn.idaho.gov application + $90 fee
  • Criminal background check via Idaho State Police

Processing Timeline

Idaho Board of Nursing processes APRN applications in 4–8 weeks from complete submission. Idaho's compact membership and efficient online portal make it one of the faster-processing Mountain West states for APRN credentials.

CRNA Salary in Idaho (2026)

MarketAvg CRNA SalaryNotes
Boise / Treasure Valley$200,000–$230,000St. Luke's, Saint Alphonsus; CRNA-independent dominant; rapid market growth
Twin Falls / Magic Valley$195,000–$222,000St. Luke's Magic Valley; regional hub; lower COL than Boise
Idaho Falls / Pocatello$194,000–$220,000Eastern Idaho Regional, Portneuf Medical; SE Idaho hub
Coeur d'Alene / North Idaho$196,000–$224,000Kootenai Health; Spokane-adjacent market; resort community growth
Rural / CAH Idaho$196,000–$228,000CRNA-only; persistent shortages in remote communities; signing bonuses

Top Employers in Idaho

  • St. Luke's Health System — Boise + statewide; largest health system in Idaho; CRNA-independent model throughout network; active CRNA hiring
  • Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center (Trinity Health) — Boise + Nampa; Catholic health system; select ACT model at flagship
  • Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC) — Idaho Falls; HCA facility; CRNA-independent model
  • Kootenai Health — Coeur d'Alene; North Idaho's largest hospital; CRNA-independent; resort-community surgical volumes
  • St. Luke's Magic Valley — Twin Falls; regional hub; CRNA-independent; strong orthopedic volumes

What We See at Ava Health

Idaho is one of the Pacific Northwest's most attractive CRNA markets for value-focused candidates. Boise's compensation is competitive with Portland and Seattle but housing costs are materially lower — Idaho's cost of living advantage relative to the I-5 corridor makes it a strong value proposition. North Idaho (Coeur d'Alene, Sandpoint) attracts CRNAs from the Spokane market who want Idaho's more favorable tax treatment (lower income tax than Washington or Oregon combined with Spokane-comparable compensation). Rural Central Idaho (Salmon, Challis, McCall) has the most extreme CRNA shortages in the state.

Related: CRNA Salary by State 2026, NP License Idaho 2026, CRNA License Washington 2026.

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