Everything You Need to Know Before Submitting Your Preceptor for Approval
Not every licensed provider qualifies to be a preceptor — and finding someone willing to take you is only half the battle.
If your school doesn’t approve the person you’ve lined up, you’re back to square one. And that’s a disaster if you’re already facing a clinical deadline.
Here’s what every nurse practitioner student needs to know about NP preceptor requirements in 2025 — including who qualifies, what to ask, and how to avoid getting denied.
Who Can Be an NP Preceptor?
Most NP programs follow general accreditation standards (set by NONPF or CCNE), but schools still create their own rules. Here’s what most require:
✅ Accepted Preceptors (Varies by Program):
- Nurse Practitioners (NPs) — same population focus (FNP for FNP, PMHNP for PMHNP, etc.)
- Medical Doctors (MDs) and Doctors of Osteopathy (DOs)
- Physician Assistants (PAs) – some programs accept, many do not
- Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) or Women’s Health NPs — for OB/GYN rotations
Common Requirements for NP Preceptors
These are the most frequently required credentials and conditions:
- Active, unencumbered license
- At least 1–2 years of clinical experience post-licensure
- Board certification in their specialty
- Matching population focus (e.g., an FNP student must be precepted by someone practicing family medicine)
- Willingness to complete paperwork and evaluations for your school
Many schools also want:
- A physical clinical setting (not all-telehealth unless approved)
- EMR access for note-taking and logging patient encounters
- Documentation of preceptor’s credentials and/or a W-9
Who Cannot Be an NP Preceptor?
This varies slightly, but here are some common no-gos:
- Supervisors at your current job (conflict of interest)
- Family members
- New grads or those still in their own NP residency
- Preceptors in states where NP licensure doesn’t match your school’s accreditation rules
Some schools also disqualify preceptors with recent license issues, or those working solely in administrative or research roles.
When to Ask Your School for Approval
Always get your preceptor approved before you start the rotation. Some schools want approval before any contact; others such as Walden, allow conditional approval if the preceptor is pending documents.
At Preceptor Tree, we collect all the necessary paperwork and handle the confirmation process before you’re officially placed — so you don’t risk getting a last-minute rejection.
How to Vet a Preceptor Before You Submit
Here’s what to ask your potential preceptor up front:
- What is your current title and license?
- What specialty or population do you see?
- Are you board-certified?
- How long have you been practicing?
- Have you precepted NP students before?
- Are you comfortable filling out school paperwork and evaluations?
If they hesitate on paperwork, walk away.
Bottom Line: Don’t Assume They Qualify
Just because someone is an amazing provider doesn’t mean they meet your program’s NP preceptor requirements.
If you’re unsure, ask your school for a list of approved credentials — or work with a placement service that does this vetting for you.
Need a Preceptor Who’s Already Been Approved?
At Preceptor Tree, we only work with:
- Licensed, board-certified providers
- Preceptors with proven experience and paperwork compliance
- Clinicians matched by specialty, location, and timeline
We help you skip the guesswork and move straight to placement.
👉 Request your preceptor match now — and stay one step ahead of your school’s paperwork game.
