FNP
Offered by AANPCB (FNP-C) or ANCC (FNP-BC)
Family Nurse Practitioner board certification is offered by two bodies. AANPCB (Nurse Practitioners Certification Board, affiliated with AANP) awards...
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FNP exam at a glance
Format
AANPCB FNP-C: 150 multiple-choice (135 scored). ANCC FNP-BC: 175 items (150 scored) including multiple choice, multiple response, drag-and-drop, and hotspot
Duration
FNP-C: 3 hours. FNP-BC: 3.5 hours
Delivery
AANPCB via Prometric. ANCC via Prometric (120-day window after application)
Passing score
Criterion-referenced scaled standards (ANCC FNP-BC commonly cited as 350 on ANCC's scale). Confirm the current standard with the body you choose
Exam cost
AANPCB: $240 AANP member / $315 non-member. ANCC: $295 ANA member / $340 AANP member / $395 non-member (confirm current published fees)
Validity
5 years for both FNP-C and FNP-BC
Prerequisites
Graduate degree from an accredited FNP program meeting the certifying body's education and clinical-hour rules, plus RN licensure
About the FNP certification
Family Nurse Practitioner board certification is offered by two bodies. AANPCB (Nurse Practitioners Certification Board, affiliated with AANP) awards FNP-C: 150 multiple-choice items (135 scored + 15 pretest) in 3 hours, focused on clinical care across the lifespan. ANCC awards FNP-BC: 175 items (150 scored + 25 pretest) in 3.5 hours, with additional professional-role, theory, and varied item types.
Both are valid pathways to FNP licensure when your state board accepts them. Pick the exam your program prepared you for, then confirm with your Board of Nursing and target employers. Each credential renews on a 5-year cycle.
Who it’s for: Graduates of accredited FNP programs seeking national board certification for APRN licensure.
Official exam page· Details verified September 2026
Exam details can change. Always confirm current requirements, fees, and exam policies with the certification provider before registering.
What the FNP exam covers
- AANPCB: clinical practice across prenatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations
- ANCC: clinical content plus professional role, theory, and research-informed items
How to study for the FNP
- 1Choose FNP-C or FNP-BC first — then download that body's outline only. Dual-studying both blueprints wastes time.
- 2Build an 8–10 week calendar by age cohort (AANP) or by ANCC domains if you sit FNP-BC.
- 3Do timed blocks that match your exam (150 in 3 hours vs 175 in 3.5 hours).
- 4Use an error log for primary-care management (pharm, diagnostics, red flags), not trivia.
- 5Confirm state-board acceptance and your program's recommended exam before you pay.
Turn your exam date into a FNP study plan
Tell us when you're taking the FNP and when you're available to study. We'll build a personalized schedule you can add to your calendar.
Build My Free FNP Study PlanFNP — frequently asked questions
Is FNP-C or FNP-BC better?
Neither is universally better. Both support FNP practice. AANPCB is more purely clinical; ANCC adds professional-role content and more item types. Choose based on preparation, state board, and employer preference.
How do I plan FNP board study?
Lock the certifying body, pull the official outline, and schedule mixed primary-care cases by lifespan. Add at least two full-length timed exams in the last three weeks.