FNP : Nurse Practitioner Exam

Family NP Certification Review

Becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner requires a commitment of time and resources, taking 8 to 10 years for many nurses, but it is an investment in your future that will reward you in many different ways. Though the path to becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner can vary depending upon whether you choose to pursue your degree full time or part-time, in person or online, for most people the journey will follow these steps:

1. Earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing or your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Degree – 4-5 years

2. Get licensed as a Registered Nurse

3. Gain invaluable clinical experience working as a Registered Nurse – 2-3 years

4. Obtain your Master’s Degree in Nursing or your Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)– 2-3 years

5. Become certified as an FNP by passing the certification exam from either the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Depending on which certification board you go through, you'll earn either the FNP-BC certification or the FNP-C certification.

In order to become a certified Family Nurse Practitioner, you need to become certified by earning either your FNP-C or FNP-BC certification. Your state board of nursing may have a preference, so it is a good idea to check with them beforehand.

FNP Certification Requirements

FNP certification exams are conducted online. No matter which you take, you must have:

A current, active RN license in a state or territory of the U.S. or the equivalent in another country

A Master’s, postgraduate, or doctoral degree from a family nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

At least 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours and completion of comprehensive graduate-level courses in advanced physiology/ pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, advanced pharmacology

FNP Recertification

Recertification is required every five years. You are also required to maintain an active registered nurse license with your state board of nursing according to its requirements for practice and continuing education.

Our Continuing Education Guide can provide information regarding each state’s requirements for renewing RN licensure.

Regarding recertification, your certifying organization has specific requirements for renewal, so be sure you’re on top of those, as well as prepared to pay any fees. Both the AANC and AANP require a certain number of clinical practice hours and CE credits. Become familiar with these requirements well before your recertification is due.

In the ANCC test you will find questions about:

1) Assessment

2) Diagnosis

3) Clinical Management

4) Professional Role

In the AANP test you will find questions about:

1) Assessment

2) Diagnosis

3) Plan

4) Evaluation

It can help you quickly master the knowledge points of the exam, which can help you increase the pass rate and enhance your confidenceIt can help you quickly master the knowledge points of the exam, which can help you increase the pass rate and enhance your confidence

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