Healthcare Resource
North Dakota CRNA License 2026: APRN Requirements, Practice Model, Salary
In brief
How to get your CRNA license in North Dakota 2026. ND Board of Nursing APRN process, collaborative agreement requirements, and CRNA salary data for Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks.
Steps at a glance
Complete CRNA program and obtain NBCRNA certification
Graduate from a COA-accredited nurse anesthesia program and pass the NBCRNA NCE. North Dakota requires current CRNA national certification for APRN licensure.
Hold or obtain North Dakota RN license
North Dakota is an NLC compact member. CRNAs with a multistate compact license may practice in ND. If your primary state is non-compact, apply for ND RN licensure by endorsement through the North Dakota Board of Nursing.
Submit North Dakota Board of Nursing APRN application
Apply online at ndbon.org. Submit CRNA certification, RN license verification, anesthesia program documentation, and the $75 APRN application fee, one of the lowest in the country.
Execute collaborative practice agreement
North Dakota requires CRNAs to have a written collaborative practice agreement with a physician. In ACT settings, physician direction satisfies this. Independent CRNA positions require a formal written agreement.
In this article
North Dakota CRNAs are licensed as APRNs by the North Dakota Board of Nursing. North Dakota is a reduced practice state, a written collaborative practice agreement with a physician is required. North Dakota has NOT opted out of the federal Medicare CRNA supervision requirement. Fargo (Sanford, Essentia) and Bismarck (Sanford, CHI St. Alexius) anchor the major markets. North Dakota has no state income tax on most income (ND has very low flat rates compared to national averages), providing a meaningful take-home pay advantage. Rural North Dakota has persistent CRNA shortages.
Practice Model
- Written collaborative practice agreement with physician required
- North Dakota has NOT opted out of federal Medicare CRNA supervision requirement
- ACT model: Sanford Medical Center Fargo (limited ACT), Essentia Health (Fargo)
- CRNA-independent (with collaborative agreement): Most ND facilities; Sanford Bismarck, CHI St. Alexius, rural CAH hospitals
- North Dakota's oil patch communities (Williston, Dickinson, Minot) have elevated healthcare demand from oil-industry workers and corresponding CRNA opportunities
Application Requirements
- Active North Dakota RN license (compact or ND-issued)
- Current NBCRNA certification
- Official nurse anesthesia program documentation
- Completed ndbon.org application + $75 fee
- Criminal background check via North Dakota BCI
Processing Timeline
North Dakota Board of Nursing processes APRN applications in 6-8 weeks from complete submission. ND is among the more efficient compact states; applications with complete documentation process without notable delays.
CRNA Salary in North Dakota (2026)
| Market | Avg CRNA Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $192,000-$222,000 | Sanford, Essentia; low COL; no income tax premium |
| Bismarck | $190,000-$218,000 | Sanford Bismarck, CHI St. Alexius; state capital market |
| Grand Forks | $188,000-$215,000 | Altru Health System; UND medical school proximity |
| Minot / Williston / Oil Patch | $192,000-$225,000 | Trinity Health, oil-industry demand; CRNA-independent; signing bonuses |
Top Employers in North Dakota
- Sanford Health, Fargo + Bismarck + statewide; largest ND health system; CRNA-independent model at most facilities
- Essentia Health, Fargo; CRNA-independent; regional referral center for northeastern ND
- CHI St. Alexius Health, Bismarck; Catholic health system; CRNA-independent model
- Altru Health System, Grand Forks; independent regional health system; CRNA-independent
- Trinity Health (Minot), North Central ND; CRNA-independent; oil patch demand
Related: CRNA Salary by State 2026, NP License North Dakota 2026, CRNA License Minnesota 2026.
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