How long is CRNA school?
CRNA school takes at least 3 years of full-time study after a bachelor's degree: the accreditor's standard sets a minimum postbaccalaureate curriculum of 3 years, and programs award a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP).[coa] Counting the nursing degree and the required critical care year, the full path from starting nursing school is roughly eight years for most people.[coa][ooh_aprn]
| Stage | Length | Rule or source |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) and RN license | about 4 years | BSN programs typically take 4 years (BLS); NCLEX-RN |
| Critical care nursing (ICU) experience | at least 1 year full-time | COA admission standard |
| Doctoral nurse anesthesia program | at least 36 months | COA curriculum standard |
| National certification exam | after graduation | Required to practice as a CRNA |
How to become a CRNA, step by step
To become a CRNA you earn a BSN and an RN license, work at least one year full-time in critical care, finish a doctoral nurse anesthesia program of at least three years, pass the NBCRNA National Certification Examination and get an APRN license in your state.[coa][nbcrna_fee][ooh_aprn]
- BSN and RN license. A bachelor's degree and an unencumbered RN license come first; see how to become a registered nurse.
- Critical care experience. At least one year full-time (or the part-time equivalent) as an RN in critical care.[coa]
- Doctoral nurse anesthesia program. At least 3 years of full-time study, awarding a DNP or DNAP.[coa]
- National Certification Examination (NCE). The NBCRNA fee is $1,310 in 2026 and $1,335 in 2027, including the $160 MAC Check enrollment.[nbcrna_fee]
- State license and recertification. CRNAs renew their NBCRNA credential every four years.[nbcrna_cpc]
CRNA school requirements
CRNA school requires an unencumbered RN license, a bachelor's degree, and at least one year of full-time critical care experience as a registered nurse (or the part-time equivalent).[coa] BLS describes the same prerequisite: one year of experience as a registered nurse in a critical care setting.[ooh_aprn] Programs add their own requirements, such as GPA, science prerequisites and interviews, listed on each school's admissions page.
- Degree: students accepted on or after January 1, 2022 must graduate with a doctoral degree; master's-level entry programs have closed.[coa]
- Experience: critical care means settings such as intensive care units where the nurse manages invasive monitoring and vasoactive drips; schools define which units qualify.
- License: an active RN license, or APRN license, without restrictions.[coa]
CRNA school cost at public universities
Published tuition for a full doctoral nurse anesthesia program at public universities ranges from about $83,844 to $107,836, before living costs, books and the certification exam, and non-resident rates are much higher.[s_ou_crna][s_fiu_crna][s_ohio_crna] Because the accreditation standard is built on full-time study, pay given up during the program is usually the biggest cost.
| Program | Length | Published cost | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Oklahoma Health Sciences (OK) | 36 months | $95,000 | Approximate resident tuition and mandatory fees (non-resident about $195,000), as of June 24, 2026 |
| Florida International University (FL) | 110 credits | $83,844 | Resident tuition and fees for the 110-credit DNP ($137,567+ non-resident) |
| Ohio University (OH) | BSN-to-DNP | $107,836 | Estimated Ohio-resident tuition; additional fees apply |
Paying for CRNA school: federal loan limits changed in 2026
Since July 1, 2026, nurse anesthesia and other nursing doctorates are not "professional" degrees for federal loans, so students can borrow at most $20,500 a year and $100,000 in total in Direct Unsubsidized loans, not the professional limits of $50,000 and $200,000.[fr_rule] The Education Department's final rule limits professional degrees to fields such as pharmacy, dentistry, medicine, law and clinical psychology and says nursing doctorates do not qualify. Graduate unsubsidized loans first disbursed between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027 carry a fixed 8.07% rate.[fr_rates]
Three years at the annual cap is $61,500, so a program priced above that leaves a gap for savings, employer tuition help, scholarships or private loans, plus living costs while not working.
Does CRNA school pay off?
CRNA school takes several years to pay back because three years of lost ICU pay usually costs more than the tuition: in the example below, an RN earning the 75th-percentile wage of $112,350 who stops working for 36 months and starts as a CRNA at the 25th percentile ($206,730) recovers the cost in about 7.0 years after graduating.[onet_rn][onet_crna] The calculator above lets you change every input.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Program cost (published tuition) | $95,000 |
| Pay given up for 36 months | $337,050 |
| Interest on $61,500 at 8.07% over 10 years | $28,313 |
| Total cost | $460,363 |
| After-tax raise per year | $66,015 |
| Years to pay back after graduating | 7.0 |
CRNAs earned a median of $236,590 in May 2025, and BLS counted 51,840 nurse anesthetist jobs.[onet_crna][oews_api] State and metro pay are on CRNA salary. If three more years out of work is not realistic, compare nurse practitioner school, which public universities also offer online, and see how the first step works on how long is nursing school.
Frequently asked questions
How do you become a CRNA?
Earn a BSN and RN license, work at least one year in critical care, complete a doctoral nurse anesthesia program of at least three years, then pass the NBCRNA certification exam ($1,310 in 2026).
How long is CRNA school?
At least 3 years (36 months) of full-time doctoral study, after a nursing degree and at least one year of critical care experience.
Do you need a doctorate to be a CRNA?
Yes for new students: anyone accepted into an accredited program on or after January 1, 2022 must graduate with a doctoral degree (DNP or DNAP). CRNAs who graduated earlier with a master’s keep practicing.
How much does CRNA school cost?
Published tuition at public universities runs about $83,844 to $107,836 for the whole program, before living costs and lost wages.
Can you work during CRNA school?
The accreditation standard assumes full-time study for at least three years, and each program sets its own employment policy. Plan for little or no nursing income and check the program’s student handbook.
Sources
- Standards for Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs, Practice Doctorate (effective Jan 1, 2026)
- 2026 and 2027 fee schedules (NCE $1,310 in 2026, $1,335 in 2027, including $160 MAC Check)
- Continued Professional Certification (renew every four years)
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners
- Reimagining and Improving Student Education: Federal Student Loan Program Final Regulations (professional degree definition; graduate loan limits)
- Annual Notice of Interest Rates for Fixed-Rate Federal Student Loans (loans first disbursed July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027)
- Local Wages: 29-1141.00 Registered Nurses (state and metro percentiles)
- Local Wages: 29-1151.00 Nurse Anesthetists (state and metro percentiles)
- OEWS May 2025 employment and median wage series (OEUN/OEUS), Public Data API v2
- BSN to DNP Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (36 months; about $95,000 resident)
- DNP Nurse Anesthesia tuition and aid (110 credits; $83,844 resident tuition and fees)
- BSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesia tuition ($107,836 Ohio resident)