Credentialing and privileging of advanced practice nurses

Credentialing and privileging are increasingly common administrative processes that advanced practice nurses must complete. With the intention of assuring the public of safe health care provided by qualified personnel, several federal and state organizations have developed criteria that licensed practitioners must meet. Managed care organizations are also creating credentialing and privileging guidelines for practitioners who are applying to their provider panels. Understanding the requirements of these processes is essential to advanced practice nurses establishing themselves in practice. This article explains the guidelines from federal, state, and institutional agencies and offers recommendations to practitioners as they prepare for the credentialing process. Also included are sample forms for establishing a practice agreement and a privilege-delineation request.