Last updated: May 2026 | Researched and reviewed by Daniel Etheridge, CRNA
Oregon has two accredited paths to becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
The long-established program sits inside the state’s academic health center in Portland, and a newer program launched in 2025 at a private university in the Willamette Valley.
If you are a critical care RN in Portland, Eugene, Bend, or anywhere else in the Pacific Northwest planning your CRNA application, this guide covers both in-state programs, what Oregon CRNAs actually earn, and how Oregon licensure works after you finish school.
Accredited CRNA Programs in Oregon
Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) — Nurse Anesthesia D.N.P.
OHSU School of Nursing in Portland operates one of Oregon’s two Council on Accreditation (COA)-accredited nurse anesthesia programs, and the longer-established of the two.
It is a three-year, front-loaded Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree requiring 129 credits, including 42 clinical practicum credits and roughly 2,000 supervised clinical hours. Cohorts are intentionally small — about 14 students per class — and clinical placements are arranged by the program across children’s hospitals, trauma centers, VA medical centers, and community sites.
The program is accredited by the COA through October 2028. The class of 2025 reported a 92.3% first-time NCE pass rate, 100% employment within six months of graduation, and a 93% graduation rate.
Read the full OHSU CRNA program guide →
George Fox University — Nurse Anesthesia D.N.P.
George Fox University in Newberg added Oregon’s second accredited nurse anesthesia program, launching its first cohort in fall 2025. It earned initial COA accreditation in May 2025.
It is a 36-month, entry-level Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Didactic work and simulation run at the university’s Portland Center, and students complete five clinical rotations at Oregon sites — so you can finish your clinical hours without leaving the state.
George Fox is a private Christian university, and its program emphasizes serving rural and underserved Oregon communities.
Because the program is new, it has not yet published NCE pass rates or graduation outcomes. Read the full George Fox CRNA program guide →
Choosing Between OHSU and George Fox
Both programs lead to the same credential, but they fit different applicants.
OHSU is the established choice. It has a long track record, published outcomes (a 92.3% first-time pass rate for the class of 2025), and the deep case volume of a major academic health center in Portland.
If you want a proven program with a long history and strong metrics, OHSU is the safer bet.
George Fox is the newer option, and its draw is its in-state clinical model — five rotations, all in Oregon — plus a brand-new simulation facility. The trade-off is that, as a new program, it has not yet published pass rates or graduation outcomes.
If staying in Oregon for your entire program matters to you, George Fox is built for that. If you want the longest track record and published results, OHSU has them today.
CRNA Salary Context in Oregon
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks nurse anesthetists under occupation code 29-1151. According to the May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, nurse anesthetists in Oregon earned an annual mean wage of approximately $215,260 (about $103.49 per hour).
Pay varies by metro, employer type (academic medical center vs. independent practice), call schedule, and years of experience. Source: BLS OEWS Oregon.
Becoming a CRNA in Oregon
To practice as a CRNA in Oregon you must hold an active Oregon RN license, complete a COA-accredited nurse anesthesia program, and pass the National Certification Examination (NCE) administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). Oregon recognizes CRNAs as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses through the Oregon State Board of Nursing.
- Oregon State Board of Nursing: oregon.gov/osbn — handles RN and APRN (CRNA) licensure
- Oregon Association of Nurse Anesthetists (ORANA): state chapter of the AANA, useful for networking, shadowing introductions, and legislative updates
- National certification: NBCRNA
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CRNA schools are in Oregon?
Two. Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland and George Fox University in Newberg are both COA-accredited nurse anesthesia programs.
OHSU is the long-established program; George Fox launched its program in 2025.
How long is the OHSU CRNA program?
Three years, full-time. It is a 129-credit Doctor of Nursing Practice degree with about 2,000 clinical hours.
Do I need to live in Oregon to apply to OHSU?
No. OHSU accepts applicants nationally, but you must hold an Oregon RN license by the time the program starts.
Tuition differs for Oregon residents versus non-residents.
How much do CRNAs make in Oregon?
BLS reports an annual mean wage of about $215,260 for Oregon nurse anesthetists. Top earners in academic medical centers, trauma centers, and independent practice settings often exceed that.
What ICU experience does OHSU expect?
At minimum, one year of critical care RN experience before you apply. Competitive applicants typically have more, often in high-acuity adult ICUs (MICU, SICU, CVICU, neuro ICU, or trauma).
When does OHSU’s application open?
According to OHSU, the next application cycle is scheduled to reopen in August 2026 through NursingCAS. Always verify cycle dates directly on the program’s site before planning your timeline.
Other CRNA Schools by State
Looking at programs in nearby states? See our state-by-state guides for Montana, California, Idaho, and Nevada.
Or browse the full CRNA Schools by State directory.
Disclaimer
This page is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with OHSU, the Council on Accreditation, the Oregon State Board of Nursing, or the AANA. Program details, tuition, deadlines, and accreditation status can change — always verify directly with the school and the COA before making application decisions.