Guide to NP Certification
To provide patient care, nurse practitioners need to be both licensed and certified. Licenses enable one to practice as a nurse practitioner, whereas certifications demonstrate one’s proficiency in a given specialty. This article elucidates the certification process and offers an in-depth look at the NP certification exam required for each population-focus.
NP Certification Requirements
As a recently graduated nurse practitioner, your first step is to get certified. Licenses are awarded by a state, while certifications are awarded by a national organization. For example, a psychiatric nurse practitioner living in Arizona is licensed by the state of Arizona and certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Most states will not license a nurse practitioner unless he or she is also nationally certified in their population-focus (e.g., psychiatry).
There are five different nurse practitioner certification boards in the United States, each of which award certifications across different population-foci:
- American Nurses Credentialing Center(ANCC)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
- Family
- Pediatric Primary Care
- Psychiatric-Mental Health
- Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)
- Pediatric Primary Care
- Pediatric Acute Care
- National Certification Corporation (NCC)
- Neonatal
- Women’s Health-Gender Related
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP)
- Family
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
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Each certification board differs in which specialties they certify and the process to obtain the certification. The table below organizes the certification process for each certifying body. To get started, find your desired certification in the “population-focus” column. Then, read the requirements carefully and reference the organization’s website, certification manual, or test preparation resources for further details.
Please note, family, pediatric primary care, and adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners can choose to become certified through either the ANCC or the AANPCP. These nurse practitioners can choose which board they prefer, but they cannot be certified through both. To make this decision, compare the costs and requirements, and reach out to respected people in your field for their opinion.
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
| Population Focus | Renewal Cycle & Cost | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Adult-Gerontology Acute CareAdult-Gerontology Primary CareFamilyPediatric Primary CarePsychiatric-Mental Health | Every five years$270 for an ANA member$395 for a non-ANA member$340 for an AANP, GAPNA, or NGNA members | RN licenseMaster’s, postgraduate, or doctoral degree in that population focus from an accredited programMinimum of 500 supervised clinical hours in that population focusSchool transcript that demonstrates completion of advanced physiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology coursesValidation of Education formSuccessful completion of a competency-based, 200-question examFor additional information, see the General Testing & Renewal Handbook |
Pediatric Nursing Certification Board(PNCB)
| Population Focus | Renewal Cycle & Cost | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Pediatric Primary CarePediatric Acute Care | Every seven years $385Note: If you wish to apply for both the Pediatric Primary Care and Acute Care certifications at the same time, the cost is $600 | RN licenseMaster’s, postgraduate, or doctoral degree in that population focus from an accredited programMinimum of 500 supervised clinical hours in that population focusSchool transcript that demonstrates completion of advanced physiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology coursesSuccessful completion of a competency-based, 175-question exam |
National Certification Corporation(NCC)
| Population Focus | Renewal Cycle & Cost | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| NeonatalWomen’s Health-Gender Related | Every three years$325 to apply and $275 for testing | RN licenseMaster’s, postgraduate, or doctoral degree in that population focus from an accredited programPDF file of diplomaPDF file of official transcriptSuccessful completion of a 175-question, competency-based examFor additional information, see the NCC Certification Examination Handbook |
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board(AANPCB)
| Population Focus | Renewal Cycle & Cost | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| FamilyAdult-Gerontology Primary Care | Every five years$240 for AANP members$315 for non-members | RN licenseMaster’s, postgraduate, or doctoral degree in that population focus from an accredited programMinimum of 500 supervised clinical hours in that population focusSchool transcript that demonstrates completion of advanced physiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology coursesSuccessful completion of a competency-based, 150-question examFor additional information, please see the FNP AGNP Certification Candidate Handbook |
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses(AACN)
| Population Focus | Renewal Cycle & Cost | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Adult-Gerontology Acute Care | Every five years$255 for AACN members$360 for non-members | RN licenseMaster’s, postgraduate, or doctoral degree in that population focus from an accredited programMinimum of 500 supervised clinical hours in that population focusSchool transcript that demonstrates completion of advanced physiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology coursesSuccessful completion of a competency-based, 175-question examFor additional information, please see the AACN General Testing & Certification Guide |
NP Certification Exam Guides
As noted in the tables above, each certification requires the successful completion of a competency-based exam. These exams differ by certifying organization and by population-focus. The table below is organized by population-focus and includes the critical information and resources needed to pass each exam.
Please note, family, pediatric primary care, and adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioners can chose to become certified through either the ANCC or the AANPCP. Exam details for both certifying bodies are included, but be sure to only submit an application to one or the other.
| Adult-Gerontology Acute Care | |
|---|---|
| Certifying Organization | American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) |
| Cost | $270 for ANA member$395 for non-ANA member$340 for an AANP, GAPNA, or NGNA members |
| Renewal Cycle | Every five years |
| Number of Questions | 200 |
| Study Resources | Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Certification Intensive Review, Third Edition: Fast Facts and Practice Questions; ANCC Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Test Prep Course |
| Organization’s Guide | ANCC General Testing & Certification Guide |
| Practice Questions | Sample questions from ANCC website |
| Content Outline | APRN Core Competencies – Advanced physiology – Advanced pharmacology – Advanced physical assessment Clinical Practice – Clinical decision-making – Health promotion and disease prevention Role-Professional Responsibility – Scope and standards of practice – Research and evidence-based practice – Education – Patient-provider relationship Healthcare Systems – Healthcare policy – Quality improvement principles Further details found in the ANCC Test Content Outline handbook |
| Adult-Gerontology Acute Care | |
|---|---|
| Certifying Organization | American Nurses Credentialing Center (AACN) |
| Cost | $255 for AACN members $360 for non-members |
| Renewal Cycle | Every five years |
| Number of Questions | 175 |
| Study Resources | AACN Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Test Prep Course |
| Organization’s Guide | AACN General Testing & Certification Guide |
| Practice Questions | Sample questions from AACN Handbook |
| Content Outline | Clinical Judgement – Cardiovascular – Pulmonary – Endocrine – Hematology/immunology/oncology – Gastrointestinal – Renal/genitourinary – Integumentary – Musculoskeletal – Neurology – Psychosocial/behavioral/cognitive health – Factors influencing health status – Multisystem Professional Caring and Ethical Practice Further details found in the AACN Exam Handbook |
| Adult-Gerontology Primary Care | |
|---|---|
| Certifying Organization | American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) |
| Cost | $270 for an ANA member $395 for a non-ANA member $340 for AANP, GAPNA, or NGNA members |
| Renewal Cycle | Every five years |
| Number of Questions | 200 |
| Study Resources | Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification Review; Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP Test Prep Course |
| Organization’s Guide | ANCC General Testing & Certification Guide |
| Practice Questions | Sample questions from ANCC website |
| Content Outline | Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing – Advanced physiology – Advanced pharmacology – Advanced health assessment – Population health – Considerations for diverse populations Professional Roles – Translational Science – Legal and ethical issues – Scope and standards of practice – Quality improvement and safety – Leadership, advocacy, and collaboration – Health policy Independent Practice – Advanced care planning – Health promotion and disease prevention – Illness and disease management – Diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision making Professional Caring and Ethical Practice Further details found in the ANCC Test Content Outline book |
| Adult-Gerontology Primary Care | |
|---|---|
| Certifying Organization | American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) |
| Cost | $240 for AANP members $315 for non-members |
| Renewal Cycle | Every five years |
| Number of Questions | 150 |
| Study Resources | Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification Review; Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP Test Prep Course |
| Organization’s Guide | AANPCB Candidate Handbook |
| Practice Questions | Sample questions found in the Candidate Handbook (pg. 31-32) |
| Content Outline | Domain I – Assessment – Diagnosis – Planning – Evaluation Domain II – Adolescen – Young adult and adult – Older adult – Frail elderly A detailed list of knowledge areas and procedures can be found in the Candidate Handbook (pg. 24-25) |
| Family | |
|---|---|
| Certifying Organization | American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) |
| Cost | $270 for an ANA member $395 for a non-ANA member |
| Renewal Cycle | Every five years |
| Number of Questions | 200 |
| Study Resources | Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Intensive Review, Third Edition: Fast Facts and Practice Questions; ANCC Family NP Test Prep Course |
| Organization’s Guide | ANCC General Testing & Certification Guide |
| Practice Questions | Sample questions from the ANCC website |
| Content Outline | Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing – Advanced physiology – Advanced pharmacology – Advanced health assessment – Population Health – Considerations for diverse populations Professional Roles – Translational Science – Legal and ethical issues – Scope and standards of practice – Quality improvement and safety – Leadership, advocacy, and collaboration – Health policy Independent Practice – Advanced care planning – Health promotion and disease prevention – Illness and disease management – Diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision making Further details found in the ANCC Test Content Outline book |
| Family | |
|---|---|
| Certifying Organization | American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) |
| Cost | $240 for AANP members $315 for non-members |
| Renewal Cycle | Every five years |
| Number of Questions | 150 |
| Study Resources | Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Intensive Review, Third Edition: Fast Facts and Practice Questions; AANP Family NP Test Prep Course |
| Organization’s Guide | AANPCB Candidate Handbook |
| Practice Questions | Sample questions found in theCandidate Handbook (pg. 31-32) |
| Content Outline | Domain I – Assessment – Diagnosis – Planning – Evaluation Domain II – Prenatal – Pediatric (including newborn and infant) – Adolescent (early and late) – Adult – Geriatric – Frail elderly A detailed list of knowledge areas and procedures is in the Candidate Handbook (pg. 27-28) |
| Neonatal | |
|---|---|
| Certifying Organization | National Certification Corporation (NCC) |
| Cost | $325 |
| Renewal Cycle | Every three years |
| Number of Questions | 150 |
| Study Resources | Merenstein & Gardner’s Handbook of Neonatal Intensive Care |
| Organization’s Guide | NCC Certification Examination Catalogue Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Candidate Guide |
| Practice Questions | Sample questions found in the Candidate Guide (pg. 18) |
| Content Outline | General assessment – Perinatal – Neonatal – Family integration – Discharge planning and follow-up General management – Pharmacology – Nutrition, fluids, and electrolytes – Thermoregulation – Resuscitation and stabilization The disease process – Embryology – Physiology – Pathophysiology – Resuscitation and stabilization A detailed content outline can be found in the NCC Exam Handbook (pg. 16); additional details can be found in the Candidate Guide (pg. 7) |
| Pediatric Primary Care | |
|---|---|
| Certifying Organization | American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) |
| Cost | $270 for an ANA member $395 for a non-ANA member |
| Renewal Cycle | Every five years |
| Number of Questions | 200 |
| Study Resources | Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Certification Review Guide: Primary Care; Pediatric Primary Care NP Test Prep Course |
| Organization’s Guide | ANCC General Testing & Certification Guide |
| Practice Questions | Sample questions on the ANCC website |
| Content Outline | Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing – Advanced physiology – Advanced pharmacology – Advanced health assessment – Population Health – Considerations for diverse populations Professional Roles – Translational Science – Legal and ethical issues – Scope and standards of practice – Quality improvement and safety – Leadership, advocacy, and collaboration – Health policy Independent Practice – Advanced care planning – Health promotion and disease prevention – Illness and disease management – Diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision making Further details found in the ANCC Test Content Outline book |
| Pediatric Primary Care | |
|---|---|
| Certifying Organization | Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNBC) |
| Cost | $385 |
| Renewal Cycle | Every seven years |
| Number of Questions | 175 |
| Study Resources | Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Certification Review Guide: Primary Care; Pediatric Primary Care NP Test Prep Course |
| Organization’s Guide | Exam FAQs |
| Practice Questions | Can be purchased on the PNCB website |
| Content Outline | Health promotion – Infants – Toddlers and preschoolers – School-age children – Adolescents – Young adults Assessment and diagnosis – History and physical examination – Diagnostic testing and screening – Analysing information – Diagnosis Management – Therapeutic interventions – Procedures – Counseling and education – Collaboration and referral – Case management – Evaluation and follow-up Professional issues – Leadership and professional development – Research – Business management – Legal and ethical issues Further details can be found in the PNCB Certification Content Outline document |
| Pediatric Acute Care | |
|---|---|
| Certifying Organization | Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) |
| Cost | $385 |
| Renewal Cycle | Every seven years |
| Number of Questions | 175 |
| Study Resources | Lippincott Certification Review: Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner |
| Organization’s Guide | Exam FAQs |
| Practice Questions | Can be purchased on the PNCB website |
| Content Outline | Assessment – Health history – Physical examination Diagnosis – Age-specific diagnoses – Pathophysiology – Pharmacology – Psychological responses Management – Implementation, evaluation, and revision – Education, collaboration, and referral Professional Practice Role – Advocacy – Legal and ethical practices – Quality – Economics of healthcare Further details can be found in the PNCB Certification Content Outline document |
| Psychiatric-Mental Health | |
|---|---|
| Certifying Organization | American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) |
| Cost | $270 for an ANA member $395 for a non-ANA member $340 for an AANP member |
| Renewal Cycle | Every five years |
| Number of Questions | 200 |
| Study Resources | Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification Review; ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Test Prep Course |
| Organization’s Guide | ANCC General Testing & Certification Guide |
| Practice Questions | Sample questions on ANCC website |
| Content Outline | APRN Core Competencies – Advanced physiology – Advanced pharmacology – Advanced physical assessment Clinical Practice – Clinical decision making – Health promotion and disease prevention Role-Professional Responsibility – Scope and standards of practice – Research and evidence-based practice – Education – Patient-provider relationship Health Care Systems – Healthcare policy – Quality improvement principles Further details can be found in the PANCC Test Content Outline book |
| Women’s Health-Gender Related | |
|---|---|
| Certifying Organization | National Certification Corporation (NCC) |
| Cost | $325 |
| Renewal Cycle | Every three years |
| Number of Questions | 150 |
| Study Resources | Midwifery & Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Certification Review Guide |
| Organization’s Guide | NCC Certification Examination Catalogue WHNP Candidate Guide |
| Practice Questions | Sample questions in the Candidate Guide (pg. 17) |
| Content Outline | Physical assessment and diagnostic testing – Health history – Laboratory procedures Primary care – Health promotion – Patient counseling – Management of health problems Gynecology – Fertility control – Male issues – Gynecologic disorders Obstetrics – Pregnancy – Prenatal care – Fetal well-being – Postpartum Professional issues – Research and evidence-based practice – Legal, ethical, and safety issues Pharmacology A detailed content outline can be found in the NCC Exam Handbook (pg. 16); further details can be found in the Candidate Guide (pg. 8) |
Dr. Melissa DeCapua, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Author
Melissa DeCapua is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner who graduated from Vanderbilt University. She has a background in child and adolescent psychiatry as well as psychosomatic medicine. Uniquely, she also possesses a bachelor’s degree in studio arts, which she uses to enhance patient care, promote the nursing profession, and solve complex problems. Melissa currently works as the Healthcare Strategist at a Seattle-based health information technology company where she guides product development by combining her clinical background and creative thinking. She is a strong advocate for empowering nurses, and she fiercely believes that nurses should play a pivotal role in shaping modern health care. For more about Melissa, check out her blog www.melissadecapua.com and follow her on Twitter @melissadecapua.
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