Credentialing and privileging are the same as state licensure; once a PMHNP holds an active state license and ANCC certification, no additional organizational approvals are required to practice in any healthcare facility

Credentialing verifies the provider's qualifications — education, training, licensure, certification, malpractice history, and work history — while privileging grants specific clinical permissions within the organization, such as authority to prescribe, admit patients, or perform specific procedures; these are distinct processes from state licensure and are required by CMS, The Joint Commission, and most healthcare organizations

Credentialing is only required for physicians; nurse practitioners are exempt from organizational credentialing and can begin practice immediately upon hire with proof of licensure

The credentialing process takes only a few days and involves simply submitting a copy of the PMHNP's license to the human resources department