How To Get A Telehealth Nurse Practitioner Job
10 tips for landing a remote nurse practitioner role
The idea of working from home as a nurse practitioner 20 years ago may have seemed far-fetched, but today, it’s becoming pretty common. In the last few years, there’s been an increase in remote nurse practitioner job postings as the demand for telehealth services grows. Patients are seeking telemedicine solutions, and your skill set and expertise can be used to support them, without leaving your home.
If you’re hoping to secure a remote nurse practitioner job, we’ve listed some common requirements and experience that can separate you from the competition.
1. Have an active APRN medical license
To become a telehealth nurse practitioner, you must complete advanced training and education beyond a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Telehealth companies hiring NPs require that applicants have an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licensure, which is obtained by being an actively licensed Registered Nurse (RN) and holding a graduate-level nursing degree (MSN or DNP). Each state has its own APRN licensure requirements, with many also mandating that individuals pass a national certification exam.
Bonus Tip: A healthcare provider must be licensed in the state where the patient is physically located at the time of the telehealth encounter. If you’re licensed in multiple states, that’ll make you a more desirable applicant, as you’ll be able to serve more patients.
At OpenLoop, we’re always hiring for passionate NPs. Generally, we recommend having 3-5 state licenses as a telehealth provider.
High volume state licensure we look for:
TX
CA
NY
FL
NC
2. Have full practice authority
Along with having an active APRN license, the ideal candidate will practice in a state that permits Full Practice Authority, or FPA.
This means they can practice independently, leveraging their autonomy to make clinical decisions and deliver a comprehensive range of primary and specialized healthcare services. For telehealth companies, having NPs with FPA removes a layer of administrative complexity, speeds up care delivery, lowers costs, and allows for greater scalability.
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) found that states that grant full practice authority to Nurse Practitioners tend to have better health outcomes. Research shows these states outperform those with reduced or restricted practice in key areas like overall state health, quality of care, and patient access.
The following states have FPA:
Alaska
Arizona
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Hawaii
Idaho
Iowa
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Mexico
New York
North Dakota
Oregon
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Vermont
Washington
Wyoming
3. Gain in-person clinical experience
Most telehealth companies want nurse practitioners with previous experience—either in a clinic or with telehealth. Why?
They want confidence: NPs who’ve seen patients face-to-face, or managed care remotely, know how to make sound decisions—even from a distance.
They trust your judgment: Experience means you know when something isn’t right and when to escalate to in-person care.
You can work independently: It takes know-how to operate safely and autonomously without a supervisor just down the hall.
What does this mean for you?
If you’ve worked “on the floor” or have telehealth experience, that’s who they’re looking for.
Hands-on care—whether in a clinic or online—makes you more prepared for the unpredictable.
Telehealth companies value that level of competence. It keeps patients safe and protects the company too.
If you’re looking for a remote NP job, highlight your clinical or telehealth chops. That’s what gets you noticed—and hired!
4. Have DEA and CDS certificates
Nurse Practitioners who handle controlled substances, whether giving them, prescribing them, or dispensing them, must be registered with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Your DEA number behaves as a unique identifier that tracks the prescriptions you issue on a national level.
Additionally, you’re expected to hold a State Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) certificate. In some states, you might need the state CDS license before you can apply for your federal DEA registration. You’re also expected to have one in each state you practice in.
This is crucial, as some telehealth encounters, like those involving patients with mental health, substance abuse, or pain management issues, require the issuing of controlled substances. As a result, telehealth companies will want to hire nurse practitioners who’ve fulfilled the necessary legal requirements to prescribe.
5. No medical malpractice claims or lawsuits
Telehealth companies rely heavily on their network to deliver high-quality care, so if an NP has malpractice claims, they see that as a threat to patient care and safety. In addition, virtual care businesses that provide malpractice insurance coverage are looking at higher insurance premiums, which affects their operational costs.
Ultimately, NPs with malpractice claims or lawsuits stand out as a potential risk that many organizations aren’t willing to take.
6. Offer flexible availability
Many telehealth companies offer 24/7 on-demand care, which is great for patients. However, like other organizations in the healthcare industry, it’s harder to find providers willing to take on evening and weekend shifts. They’re competing with other telehealth businesses in the market to attract talent to cover these less-desirable hours, so if you have open availability, you’ll likely stand out.
7. Spruce up your technical skills
Working for a virtual care business doesn’t just require superb patient care skills; it’s about having strong technical capabilities as well. Therefore, if you’ve had experience working with remote patient monitoring applications, HIPAA-compliant video platforms, or artificial intelligence (AI) diagnostic tools, share that in your resume and interview. If you’re not very proficient with technology, it’s crucial to find opportunities to improve your comfort level.
They want to see that you’re ready to step into a remote nurse practitioner job role.
8. Be familiar with telehealth
While telehealth companies don't expect you to be an expert in telemedicine from day one, having some familiarity with its unique operations is a significant advantage.
Other ways to show you’re a prepared candidate include:
Being familiar with changing telehealth laws and ways to stay compliant in your NP role.
How to build virtual rapport with the patient, as this might impact treatment adherence, if comfort hasn’t been established.
Handling visual limitations, such as poor Internet connectivity or a low-quality camera when trying to look at facial expressions, rashes, etc.
9. Speak multiple languages
Knowing another language certainly isn’t a must-have, but it’s an advantage when looking for a nurse practitioner’s job, whether in-person or remote.
A telehealth company is hoping to reach as many patients as possible, so if you’re bilingual or multilingual, you’ll help them support a broader patient base. It reduces wait times and costs not having to search for or pay an interpreter. Lastly, bilingual providers can offer culturally competent care, which positively affects patient outcomes.
10. Network, network, network
If you check all of the above boxes, the next thing you have to do is get in front of the right people. By networking, even virtually, you can build a professional reputation, learn about unlisted opportunities, and identify which company would be the right fit for you culturally.
Networking can be done via LinkedIn, joining professional organizations like AANP or attending virtual conferences.
Deliver virtual patient care with OpenLoop
At OpenLoop, we offer compassionate and skilled nurse practitioners an opportunity to deliver exceptional care that aligns with their professional goals and provides the work-life balance they desire.
Want to see for yourself? Check out our clinical job board.
*This content is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, please consult a licensed attorney.