​Lynn McComas, DNP, ANP-C — Chief Nursing Officer at AMOpportunities and founder of PreceptorLink® -- has once again been featured on KevinMD with her timely article, “Protecting What Matters Most: Guarding Our NP Licenses With Integrity.”

In this powerful piece, Lynn reminds nurse practitioners that our licenses are more than credentials — they are symbols of trust, responsibility, and commitment. She reflects on the sobering downfall of a once-respected colleague, highlighting how individual missteps can ripple across the entire NP profession and damage public trust.

Drawing from her decades of leadership, mentoring, and precepting experience, Lynn calls on NPs to safeguard their licenses by upholding the highest standards of ethics, diligence, and transparency. She emphasizes that once a license is lost, no title, publication, or reputation can restore it — making integrity the foundation of our profession.

This article is both a warning and a call to action for NPs everywhere: protect your license, protect your integrity, and protect the future of our profession.

👉 Read the full article on KevinMD here.

Before reaching out to anyone, make sure you know what is required in California.
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• The BRN enforces a minimum of 500 clinical hours, but most NP programs require 600 to 700 or more.
  
  
• Preceptors must be licensed and practicing clinicians such as NPs, MDs, DOs, or PAs. Some specialties require specific credentials, such as psychiatrists or psychiatric NPs for PMHNP students.
  
  
• Preceptors must have a written agreement with the NP program and must be oriented to the program’s curriculum. Faculty must evaluate preceptors at least every two years.
  
  
• Students must hold an active California RN license to complete clinical training in the state.
  
  
• Some schools place limits on geography. They may not allow you to go out of county or out of state without specific approval.
  
  

For details, see the BRN regulations on clinical practice experiences here: California BRN Clinical Practice Experience Guidelines.​

​This is one of the biggest differences between California and other states. If you are enrolled in an NP program that is based outside of California, your school must obtain prior BRN approval before you can complete a clinical placement in California.

The BRN requires:

• The NP Program Preceptor Form and the Verification of Clinical Practice Experience form
  
  
• Proof that your preceptor is licensed and clinically competent in California
  
  
• Documentation that the preceptor has been oriented to the program and curriculum
  
  
• An evaluation plan for the student
  
  
• Evidence that your program teaches California-specific regulations such as the Nursing Practice Act and furnishing laws
  
  

If you are the student responsible for getting paperwork signed, be sure your school completes the BRN forms. This requirement often surprises out-of-state programs, so do not assume your school already knows the process.

• Forms and requirements can be found here: California BRN Out-of-State NP Programs
• Direct link to the Preceptor Form: NP Program Preceptor Form (PDF)

California is huge, and the approach you take depends on where you are.

High-demand areas with more opportunities but also more competition include Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County, the Bay Area, and Sacramento.
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Underserved or less saturated regions include the Central Valley, the Inland Empire, and many Northern California counties such as Humboldt or Shasta. These areas can be great options if you are open to travel. Some rural sites even offer stipends or housing to help.​

Networking is one of the best ways to secure a placement here.
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• The California Association for Nurse Practitioners (CANP) has more than two dozen local chapters. Attending events can connect you directly with potential preceptors.
  
  
• California Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) help students rotate into underserved areas, especially in the Central Valley.
  
  

Hospital systems such as Kaiser, Sutter Health, and UC hospitals sometimes place NP students, though competition is fierce, and if your school doesn’t have an affiliation in place, well, chances may be slim. Sorry to say!​

​Not every school in California allows paid preceptors or outside matching services. Public schools like the CSU and UC systems often discourage it, while private universities such as University of San Diego or Samuel Merritt may be more open.

​Online programs such as Walden, Chamberlain, and Purdue Global typically require students to find their own preceptors, which makes California even more difficult since many local sites prefer in-state students.

Finding an NP preceptor in California is not easy, but it can be done with the right strategy. Start early, know your requirements, and use every resource available to you. The state has strict rules, competitive metro areas, and heavy paperwork, but if you stay persistent and professional, you can secure a great placement.

PreceptorLink® can help simplify the process and take the stress off your plate so you can focus on what really matters: your education and your patients.

About The Author

Lynn McComas is the Chief Nursing Officer at AMOpportunities and Founder of PreceptorLink. She is a recognized expert in precepting nurse practitioners and advanced practice provider students and has been matching preceptors since 2014.

With over two decades in primary care, Lynn has served as a coach, advisor, mentor, and preceptor for countless healthcare professionals, including NPs, nurses, and medical assistants. She co-founded a successful skills and procedures business and speaks nationwide on NP-related issues.

Lynn is also a regular contributor on LinkedIn, KevinMD, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram @preceptorlink, X @LynnMcComas, and her blog, where she addresses the growing NP and PA professions and the urgent need for preceptor sites.

​ Her unique perspective, shaped by her business, clinical, and educational experiences, positions her as a key voice in tackling preceptor shortages. Lynn is committed to driving change—through a paradigm shift in NP education, reducing barriers, offering preceptor incentives, and advocating for reforms within the profession.​

I follow many NP forums, and one of the things I see mentioned that I felt needed some exploration is whether and how to start a telepsychiatry practice. So let’s look at this! 

Telepsych looks like the new gold rush, but our calling goes far beyond chasing a paycheck. We are healers, educators, advocates, and now, business owners. As an entrepreneur and business owner myself, I want to help others think long and hard before making the dive into starting their own telepsych practice.

Let’s talk candidly about what’s coming down the pike and how to do it right, not just fast. Below is a Q&A that reflects current federal rules as of July 23, 2025, along with my other experiences and research.​

Legally, any platform you use must comply with HIPAA. HHS warns that providers must use vendors that will sign a business associate agreement and provide secure, encrypted video. That means consumer apps such as FaceTime or Zoom’s free version won’t cut it unless there is a signed HIPAA addendum.

In practice, think about two categories of software:
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1. Practice management/EHR with telehealth integration. Some providers recommend IntakeQ/PracticeQ because it handles charting, scheduling, intake forms, and billing, and integrates with HIPAA-compliant telehealth platforms.
   
   
2. Telehealth video platform. Doxy.me is a popular HIPAA-compliant option; it offers a free tier and a low-cost day pass if you need screen-sharing. Other PMHNPs use Zoom for Healthcare, VSee or integrated modules in Athenahealth.
   
   

Make sure the platform has business associate agreements, encrypted video/audio, virtual waiting rooms, and the ability to document patient location and identity for each visit.

During the public health emergency, many restrictions were lifted. Those flexibilities are slowly sunsetting. Key items:
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• Licensure: Telehealth is considered to occur where the patient is located, so you must be licensed in each patient’s state.
  
  
• DEA registration: You still need a DEA registration tied to a physical address in each state where you prescribe controlled substances. The DEA is proposing special registrations to allow prescribing without in-person exams, but those rules are not yet final and have been delayed until December 31, 2025.
  
  
• National prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) and platform registration: The DEA intends to require telemedicine platforms to register and will establish a national prescription drug monitoring program.
  
  

Your next steps: Work closely with a health-care attorney and stay updated through professional organizations. Make sure your malpractice insurance covers telehealth and multi-state practice; some carriers exclude telepsychiatry or require riders.