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Pennsylvania NP License 2026: CRNP Certification, Collaborative Agreement, Salary

AH
Ava Health Team
··10 min read

Pennsylvania nurse practitioners hold the title CRNP (Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner). Pennsylvania is a reduced practice authority state — collaborative agreement required for prescribing. Average NP salary in Pennsylvania is $107,000/year in 2026, with Philadelphia academic systems reaching $120,000+ for specialty CRNPs.

Pennsylvania CRNP Practice Authority

Pennsylvania CRNPs may diagnose and treat patients independently. Prescriptive authority requires a collaborative practice agreement with a licensed physician or another CRNP approved to supervise. The agreement defines the CRNP's scope and must be available for inspection. Pennsylvania has not moved to full practice authority as of 2026.

CRNP Application Requirements

  • Active Pennsylvania RN license
  • Graduation from accredited NP program approved by the PA State Board of Nursing
  • National certification from ANCC, AANP, NCC, PNCB, or other Board-approved body
  • CRNP application: $35 initial + $100 CRNP certification fee
  • Official transcripts submitted directly to the Board

Processing Timeline

PA CRNP applications typically process in 8–12 weeks. Status tracking available through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS).

NP Salary in Pennsylvania (2026)

CityAvg Annual Salary
Philadelphia$120,000
Pittsburgh$113,000
Allentown / Lehigh Valley$106,000
Harrisburg$103,000
Scranton / Wilkes-Barre$99,000
Erie$98,000

Top PA Health Systems for CRNPs

  • Penn Medicine — Philadelphia academic system; top specialty CRNP salaries
  • Jefferson Health — Philadelphia; aggressive NP hiring across primary and specialty care
  • UPMC — Pittsburgh academic flagship; largest employer in western PA; strong CRNP integration
  • Geisinger Health System — Danville/Scranton; rural PA health system with strong APP culture
  • Main Line Health — Philadelphia suburbs; competitive total compensation

What We See at Ava Health

Pennsylvania CRNP candidates are in strong demand across Philadelphia and Pittsburgh for primary care, hospitalist, and specialty NP roles. Geisinger's rural Pennsylvania footprint creates consistent FNP openings in central PA with competitive loan repayment packages.

Related: NP License Illinois 2026, NP License New York 2026, RN Salary Pennsylvania 2026.

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