AANPCB
Family Nurse Practitioner
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric Mental Health Practitioner
FNP, AGNP & PMHNP
Certification Certification
Handbook
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Board, Inc
,TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction .............................................................................. 3
Contact Us ........................................................................ 3
About AANPCB ........................................................................ 4
Non-Discrimination Policy ................................................. 4
Name and Address Change .............................................. 5
FNP, AGNP, and PMHNP Eligibility Requirements .................. 6
How to Apply ............................................................................ 7
Online Profile..................................................................... 7
Scheduling an Examination .................................................... 10
Eligibility to Test .............................................................. 10
Approval and Authorization to Test ................................. 10
Schedule, Reschedule, or Cancel an Exam .................... 10
Special Accommodations Request.................................. 11
Preparing for the Exam .......................................................... 12
Exam Information ............................................................ 12
Practice Exam ................................................................. 12
Important Testing Site Information .................................. 13
AANPCB Examination Security Policy ............................ 13
Test Specifications .......................................................... 15
Examination Blueprints ................................................... 16
Exam Scores .......................................................................... 16
Retake Exam .......................................................................... 17
Verification of Certification...................................................... 18
AANPCB Board Certification .................................................. 20
Maintenance of Certification ............................................ 20
Expired Certification ........................................................ 20
NP-C® Credential ............................................................ 21
NP Scope and Standards of Practice .............................. 22
AANPCB Policies ................................................................... 23
Sample Questions .................................................................. 26
Appendix A ............................................................................. 29
Appendix B…………………………………..……………………32
Appendix C............................................................................. 34
Appendix D………………………………………………………..37
2
,INTRODUCTION
This CANDIDATE HANDBOOK is written for candidates desiring to take the following national certification
examinations offered by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Board, Inc.:
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
It provides important information on the eligibility requirements, application process, testing information, and
AANPCB policies. Material contained in this handbook supersedes information in previous handbooks and is subject
to change without notice. Information in the AANPCB handbooks and on the certification website is updated on a
regular basis.
Applications may be submitted online. AANPCB does not expedite the processing of applications. Typical
application processing time is 3-6 weeks depending upon receipt of a complete application, required documents,
and applicable fees.
Email is the preferred method for general correspondence.
Paper applications and other documents may be emailed, faxed, or mailed. If an applicant wishes to ensure that
materials are received by AANPCB, it is recommended that a guaranteed courier service be used, and documents
be sent by overnight delivery to the street address.
Contact Us
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)
Website: https://www.aanpcert.org
Email:
Email Official Transcripts to:
Certification Administration: (512) 637-0500
Toll-free Number: (855) 822-6727
Fax: (512) 637-0540 or (512) 637-0334
Mailing Address: Overnight Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 12926 2600 Via Fortuna, Suite 240
Austin, TX 78711-2926 Austin, TX 78746-7006
3
, ABOUT AANPCB
Mission and Purpose
The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) is a nonprofit organization
incorporated under the name American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Board, Inc.
Originally it was established as a department within the AANP professional membership association in 1993 for the
purpose of providing a valid and reliable program for evaluation of individuals wishing to enter, continue, and/or
advance in the nurse practitioner profession through the certification process. The business name was changed to
the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) on January 1st, 2017.
Vision: Nurse Practitioners meet the highest standards of excellence and competence to support quality care and
optimal health outcomes.
Mission: Provide excellence in testing and certification for nurse practitioners.
Values: AANPCB operates as an ethical and professional organization, embodying the organizational values and
principles of Quality, Integrity, Respect and Responsiveness.
Our Purpose: To assess the knowledge and practice competencies of nurse practitioners required to provide
safe and quality health care. As a national nursing certification board, AANPCB:
• Facilitates the application processes for NP certification.
• Provides a reliable, valid, competency-based examination for NPs to assess knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Provides entry into practice certification for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family
Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner meeting eligibility requirements for
certification by exam and specialty certification for the Emergency Nurse Practitioner.
• Provides the processes for recertification for the Adult, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Family, Emergency,
Gerontologic Nurse, and Psychiatric Mental Health Practitioner meeting current minimum requirements for
renewal.
Non-Discrimination Policy
The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board does not discriminate against candidates and
certificants with respect to age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, marital status, sexual
orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other characteristic legally protected by law. Reasonable and
consistent use of non-discrimination and impartiality policies and procedures will apply to all programs of the
AANPCB, to include application processes, testing processes, and business operations.
Accreditation
AANPCB certification programs are accredited by the Accreditation Board of Specialty Nursing Certification
(ABSNC) and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
• The ABSNC, formerly the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) Accreditation Council, is the only
accrediting body specifically for nursing certification. ABSNC accreditation is a peer-review mechanism that
allows nursing certification organizations to obtain accreditation by demonstrating compliance with the highest
quality standards available in the industry.
4
Family Nurse Practitioner
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric Mental Health Practitioner
FNP, AGNP & PMHNP
Certification Certification
Handbook
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Board, Inc
,TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction .............................................................................. 3
Contact Us ........................................................................ 3
About AANPCB ........................................................................ 4
Non-Discrimination Policy ................................................. 4
Name and Address Change .............................................. 5
FNP, AGNP, and PMHNP Eligibility Requirements .................. 6
How to Apply ............................................................................ 7
Online Profile..................................................................... 7
Scheduling an Examination .................................................... 10
Eligibility to Test .............................................................. 10
Approval and Authorization to Test ................................. 10
Schedule, Reschedule, or Cancel an Exam .................... 10
Special Accommodations Request.................................. 11
Preparing for the Exam .......................................................... 12
Exam Information ............................................................ 12
Practice Exam ................................................................. 12
Important Testing Site Information .................................. 13
AANPCB Examination Security Policy ............................ 13
Test Specifications .......................................................... 15
Examination Blueprints ................................................... 16
Exam Scores .......................................................................... 16
Retake Exam .......................................................................... 17
Verification of Certification...................................................... 18
AANPCB Board Certification .................................................. 20
Maintenance of Certification ............................................ 20
Expired Certification ........................................................ 20
NP-C® Credential ............................................................ 21
NP Scope and Standards of Practice .............................. 22
AANPCB Policies ................................................................... 23
Sample Questions .................................................................. 26
Appendix A ............................................................................. 29
Appendix B…………………………………..……………………32
Appendix C............................................................................. 34
Appendix D………………………………………………………..37
2
,INTRODUCTION
This CANDIDATE HANDBOOK is written for candidates desiring to take the following national certification
examinations offered by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Board, Inc.:
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
It provides important information on the eligibility requirements, application process, testing information, and
AANPCB policies. Material contained in this handbook supersedes information in previous handbooks and is subject
to change without notice. Information in the AANPCB handbooks and on the certification website is updated on a
regular basis.
Applications may be submitted online. AANPCB does not expedite the processing of applications. Typical
application processing time is 3-6 weeks depending upon receipt of a complete application, required documents,
and applicable fees.
Email is the preferred method for general correspondence.
Paper applications and other documents may be emailed, faxed, or mailed. If an applicant wishes to ensure that
materials are received by AANPCB, it is recommended that a guaranteed courier service be used, and documents
be sent by overnight delivery to the street address.
Contact Us
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)
Website: https://www.aanpcert.org
Email:
Email Official Transcripts to:
Certification Administration: (512) 637-0500
Toll-free Number: (855) 822-6727
Fax: (512) 637-0540 or (512) 637-0334
Mailing Address: Overnight Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 12926 2600 Via Fortuna, Suite 240
Austin, TX 78711-2926 Austin, TX 78746-7006
3
, ABOUT AANPCB
Mission and Purpose
The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) is a nonprofit organization
incorporated under the name American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Board, Inc.
Originally it was established as a department within the AANP professional membership association in 1993 for the
purpose of providing a valid and reliable program for evaluation of individuals wishing to enter, continue, and/or
advance in the nurse practitioner profession through the certification process. The business name was changed to
the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) on January 1st, 2017.
Vision: Nurse Practitioners meet the highest standards of excellence and competence to support quality care and
optimal health outcomes.
Mission: Provide excellence in testing and certification for nurse practitioners.
Values: AANPCB operates as an ethical and professional organization, embodying the organizational values and
principles of Quality, Integrity, Respect and Responsiveness.
Our Purpose: To assess the knowledge and practice competencies of nurse practitioners required to provide
safe and quality health care. As a national nursing certification board, AANPCB:
• Facilitates the application processes for NP certification.
• Provides a reliable, valid, competency-based examination for NPs to assess knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Provides entry into practice certification for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family
Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner meeting eligibility requirements for
certification by exam and specialty certification for the Emergency Nurse Practitioner.
• Provides the processes for recertification for the Adult, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Family, Emergency,
Gerontologic Nurse, and Psychiatric Mental Health Practitioner meeting current minimum requirements for
renewal.
Non-Discrimination Policy
The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board does not discriminate against candidates and
certificants with respect to age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, marital status, sexual
orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other characteristic legally protected by law. Reasonable and
consistent use of non-discrimination and impartiality policies and procedures will apply to all programs of the
AANPCB, to include application processes, testing processes, and business operations.
Accreditation
AANPCB certification programs are accredited by the Accreditation Board of Specialty Nursing Certification
(ABSNC) and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
• The ABSNC, formerly the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) Accreditation Council, is the only
accrediting body specifically for nursing certification. ABSNC accreditation is a peer-review mechanism that
allows nursing certification organizations to obtain accreditation by demonstrating compliance with the highest
quality standards available in the industry.
4
