NP EXAMS
Overview
NP certification exams, offered by bodies like AANPCB and ANCC, test entry-level nurse practitioner clinical knowledge and critical thinking, typically featuring 150-175 multiple-choice questions (with some unscored pilot questions) over 3-3.5 hours, assessing domains like diagnosis, management, and role understanding for specific populations (Family, Adult-Gerontology, Psych-Mental Health, etc.), with successful candidates earning credentials (e.g., NP-C, FNP-BC) valid for 5 years.
NP Exam Types
Common NP Exam Types by Specialty
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) examination tests clinical knowledge in family/individual across the life span (prenatal, newborn, infant, child, adolescent, and adult including young, middle, and older adult). Nurse Practitioners certified by AANPCB as a Family Nurse Practitioner will continue to be certified, credentialed, and recognized by AANPCB as long as the minimum requirements for renewal of certification are met and the certification does not lapse.
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) examination tests clinical knowledge of adolescent, young adult, older and elder adults. Certificants who are Dual-certified by AANPCB as both an ANP and a GNP are eligible to apply for conversion to the Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) through the AANPCB Conversion Application process.
Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP)
AANPCB is collaborating with the American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners (AAENP) to develop the Emergency Nurse Practitioner specialty certification examination for Family Nurse Practitioners who work in emergency care. Due to the lifespan scope of the ENP examination, only certified FNPs who meet eligibility criteria will be able to take the AANPCB Emergency NP certification examination.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certification examination is an entry-level competency-based examination that tests clinical knowledge in psychiatric mental health in individuals across the life span.
Exam Content Focus
AANP Exams: Tend to focus more heavily on direct clinical practice and patient care scenarios.
ANCC Exams: Often have a stronger emphasis on nursing theory and research, suiting those interested in academic roles.
Choosing an Exam
Decide on your specialty (e.g., FNP, PMHNP) and then choose between the AANPCB or ANCC, depending on your career goals and preferred focus (clinical vs. research/theory).
Key Certifying Bodies
AANPCB (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board):
Offers certification in Family (FNP-C), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AGNP-C), and Emergency (ENP-C).
ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center):
Offers certification in Family (FNP-BC), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AGPCNP-BC), Adult-Gerontology Acute Care (AGACNP-BC), and Psychiatric-Mental Health (PMHNP-BC).
Eligibility
To be eligible for a Nurse Practitioner (NP) exam, you generally need an active RN license, a Master’s (MSN) or Doctoral (DNP) degree in nursing from an accredited program, and completion of specific graduate-level coursework (like advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment). You must apply through a certifying body (like AANP or ANCC) after finishing your program and often need to meet clinical hour requirements, with eligibility to test typically granted after all coursework is complete.
Core Eligibility Requirements
Registered Nurse (RN) License: A current, active, and unencumbered RN license is mandatory.
Education: Completion of a graduate-level NP program (Master’s or Doctorate) from a CCNE, ACEN, or NLN-accredited institution.
Coursework: Must have completed core APRN courses, including advanced pathophysiology, health assessment, and pharmacology.
Clinical Hours: Most programs require a minimum number of faculty-supervised clinical hours (e.g., 500 hours for FNP).
Steps to Take
Get Your BSN & RN License: Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and pass the NCLEX-RN.
Gain Experience: Obtain 1-2 years of RN experience, as most graduate programs require it.
Complete an Accredited NP Program: Finish your Master’s or Doctoral degree in your chosen NP specialty (e.g., Family, Pediatrics, Psych Mental Health).
Apply for Certification: Apply to a certifying body like the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), or Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).
Receive Eligibility: Once your program and education are verified, you’ll receive an eligibility notice to schedule your exam with Prometric.
How we assist candidates in clearing this exam.
Exact examination Q&A bank
Have you already booked your exam date and still not find yourself ready for the exam?Contact us for specific guides containing just exact questions and answers to prepare and guarantee you with good passing scores
Previous Score upgrade
Have you already taken the exam and not satisfied with your scores? Contact us for guidance on how to upgrade your scores to your desired scores.
Direct certificate:
We get the account and certificate of doctors who are too busy to prepare and sit for the exams but urgently need the certificate approved directly without sitting for the exams.