AANP versus AANP: Which Nurse Practitioner certification Board Exam should I take?

Congratulations! You are near the end of the program and are finally able to put some thought into which certification to obtain. The AANP (American Association of Nurse Practitioners) and ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center) offer different certification exams for nurse practitioners (NPs) in the United States. Lets take a look at the key differences between the AANP and ANCC board exams:

Certifying Organization:

• AANP: The AANP certification exam is administered by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. It is commonly known as the "AANP exam."

  • An example of the credential you might receive would FNP-C.

• ANCC: The ANCC certification exam is administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. It is commonly known as the "ANCC exam."

  • An example of the credential you might receive would FNP-BC.

    Specialties Offered:

    • AANP: AANP offers certification exams in a variety of nurse practitioner specialties, including Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP), Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP), and more.

    • ANCC: ANCC offers certification exams for nurse practitioners as well as other advanced practice nursing roles. They offer exams for Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP), and several other specialties.

• Exam Content:

  • AANP: The AANP exam is 100% clinically based and focuses on clinical knowledge and skills relevant to the nurse practitioner role. It assesses the clinical knowledge needed to provide primary care to patients across the lifespan within the chosen specialty.

  • ANCC: The ANCC exam is broader in scope and may include questions related to clinical practice, but it also emphasizes professional and ethical aspects of nursing practice. ANCC exams often include questions on leadership, healthcare policy, and research.

• Question Format:

  • AANP: The AANP exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that candidates must answer in 3 hours.

  • ANCC: The ANCC exam includes 175 questions that may be multiple-choice questions, as well as other question formats such as hot-spot questions and drag-and-drop exercises. Candidates have 3.5 hours.

• Eligibility Requirements:

  • Eligibility requirements for both exams can vary based on the specific certification being sought, but they generally include completion of a nurse practitioner program accredited by a recognized nursing organization and possession of a valid RN license.

• Passing Score and Retake Policies:

  • The most updated data shows AANP certification had a lower pass rate in 2022, but in 2018 the ANCC pass rate was 86%, and the AANP pass rate was 85%.

It's essential to choose the certification exam that aligns with your career goals and the specialty in which you plan to practice. Many nurse practitioners select the exam based on their educational preparation and the preferences of their future employers, as some employers may have a preference for one certification over the other. Be sure to check the specific requirements and resources provided by the AANP and ANCC for the most up-to-date information regarding their respective exams. The cost for each exam is very similar, the AANP certification examination costs $315 for nonmembers, and the ANCC costs $395 for nonmembers.