Nurse Practitioner Certification: National board certification in your specialty area is a mark of excellence and establishes that a new graduate NP has met the educational criteria and clinical competencies to work as a safe and prudent clinician. This chapter will help the new graduate understand the steps needed to prepare them for certification and state licensure. There is much confusion among healthcare providers, insurance companies, and consumers regarding the role of the NP and the rigorous practice requirements needed to attain and maintain certification and licensure.