FNP certification: the AANPCB and ANCC board exams
FNP certification is earned by passing one of two national board exams: the AANPCB exam (150 questions in 3 hours, credential NP-C) or the ANCC exam (175 questions in 3.5 hours, credential FNP-BC). Both require an active RN license and a graduate, post-graduate certificate or doctoral FNP program with at least 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours, and both certify you for five years.
- Certifying bodies
- AANPCB, now operating as NPCB (credential NP-C), and ANCC (credential FNP-BC)AANPCB FNP Candidate Handbook; ANCC FNP page, checked 18 October 2026
- AANPCB exam
- 150 multiple-choice questions (135 scored, 15 pretest), 3 hoursAANPCB FNP Candidate Handbook, checked 18 October 2026
- ANCC exam
- 175 questions (150 scored, 25 pretest), 3.5 hoursANCC FNP page, checked 18 October 2026
- Exam fee
- AANPCB: $240 member, $315 non-member. ANCC: $395 non-member, $295 ANA member, $340 AANP memberAANPCB fees page; ANCC FNP page, checked 18 October 2026
- Eligibility
- Active RN license; graduate, post-graduate certificate or doctoral FNP program; at least 500 faculty-supervised clinical hoursAANPCB handbook; ANCC FNP page, checked 18 October 2026
- Passing score
- Not published as a number by AANPCB or ANCC on the pages checked; ANCC results are pass or failAANPCB handbook; ANCC Exam Scores & Retesting, checked 18 October 2026
- ANCC pass rate
- 82% (2025 ANCC data)ANCC FNP page, checked 18 October 2026
- Retakes
- AANPCB: up to 3 attempts per calendar year. ANCC: after 60 days, no more than 3 times in 12 monthsAANPCB FAQ; ANCC Exam Scores & Retesting, checked 18 October 2026
- Validity
- 5 years (both)AANPCB handbook; ANCC FNP page, checked 18 October 2026
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What is FNP certification?
FNP certification is national board certification for nurse practitioners prepared to care for individuals and families across the lifespan. There are two certification for FNP options. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), which now calls itself the Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (NPCB), awards the NP-C credential. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) awards FNP-BC, Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified.
FNP board certification is separate from your state license. The certifying boards confirm that you passed a national exam; your state grants the authority to practise. AANPCB sends verification of certification to State Boards of Nursing at no charge.
Source: AANPCB (NPCB) — FNP Candidate Handbook. Checked 18 October 2026.
The AANP FNP exam (AANPCB)
What candidates often call the AANP FNP exam is the AANPCB FNP exam. It has 150 multiple-choice questions, 135 scored and 15 unscored pretest questions, and you have 3 hours. AANPCB describes it as an entry-level, competency-based exam, delivered on computer at Prometric testing centers. You receive a preliminary pass/fail result immediately after finishing; the official result follows from the board.
The 135 scored questions follow four practice domains, and questions span patient ages from newborn to older adult.
- Assess — 32% (43 questions)
- Diagnose — 26.5% (36 questions)
- Plan — 26.5% (36 questions)
- Evaluate — 15% (20 questions)
Source: AANPCB (NPCB) — What to expect on your FNP certification exam. Checked 18 October 2026.
The ANCC FNP exam
The ANCC FNP exam is a computer-based test of 175 questions, 150 scored and 25 unscored pretest items, in 3.5 hours. You apply year-round, get a 120-day testing window and schedule through Prometric with your certification number. Passing earns ANCC FNP certification, the FNP-BC credential.
ANCC updated the Test Content Outline and Reference List for the ANCC FNP test effective 30 October 2026, with a 12-business-day test suspension before that date. The new outline has five domains:
- Assessment — 26 questions (17%)
- Diagnosis — 25 questions (17%)
- Planning — 29 questions (19%)
- Implementation — 50 questions (33%)
- Evaluation — 20 questions (13%)
Source: ANCC — Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (FNP-BC). Checked 18 October 2026.
FNP certification exam eligibility
Both boards require a current, active RN license (ANCC also accepts the legally recognised equivalent in another country) and completion of an FNP program at graduate level: a master’s degree, a post-master’s FNP certificate or a Doctor of Nursing Practice FNP program. The program must include at least 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours and graduate courses in advanced physical assessment, advanced pharmacology and advanced pathophysiology.
Accreditation matters. AANPCB requires an accrediting organisation recognised by the U.S. Department of Education or CHEA; ANCC lists CCNE, ACEN and NLN CNEA. AANPCB lets MSN and post-graduate certificate candidates start the application up to 6 months before completing the program and does not require you to wait for degree conferral to test, although certification is released only after your final official transcript arrives.
Source: ANCC — Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (FNP-BC). Checked 18 October 2026.
Post-master’s FNP certification online
If you already hold a nursing master’s in another specialty, a post-master’s FNP certificate is the route to post-master’s FNP certification. A post-master’s FNP certificate online is treated by the boards like any other program: the eligibility criteria checked do not mention delivery format. What counts is that the program is accredited, prepares you for the family population across the lifespan and includes the 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours and the three advanced core courses.
Source: AANPCB (NPCB) — FNP Candidate Handbook. Checked 18 October 2026.
How much does FNP certification cost?
AANPCB charges $240 for AANP or AAENP members and $315 for non-members; a retake costs the same. ANCC charges $395 for non-members, $295 for ANA members, $340 for AANP or GAPNA members and $290 for AANP student members. ANCC’s prices include a $140 non-refundable administrative fee.
Official practice tools cost extra: AANPCB’s practice exam is $50, ANCC’s Readiness Test is $85.
Source: AANPCB (NPCB) — Choose your exam and fees. Checked 18 October 2026.
FNP board exam scores and pass rates
Neither board publishes a numeric passing score on the pages checked. AANPCB sets its passing standard through standard-setting methodology and does not report scores as a percentage of correct answers. ANCC reports results as pass or fail; if you fail, the score report includes diagnostic information for each content area.
ANCC publishes a pass rate of 82% for its FNP board exam, based on 2025 data. AANPCB does not publish a pass rate on the pages checked.
Source: ANCC — Exam Scores & Retesting. Checked 18 October 2026.
Retaking the FNP test
With AANPCB, FNP candidates may test up to three times per calendar year, a rule in place since January 2026; you reapply with a re-exam application after your official score notification. With ANCC, you may retest 60 calendar days after your last attempt, no more than three times in any 12-month period, and you must meet the eligibility requirements in force when you reapply.
Source: AANPCB (NPCB) — FAQ. Checked 18 October 2026.
FNP license, licensing and scope of practice
FNP licensing is a state matter: AANPCB and ANCC certify, while the license to practise comes from the state where you work. Your FNP license and your FNP scope of practice are set by that state, not by the certifying boards; neither AANPCB nor ANCC defines scope of practice on the pages checked. Check with the board of nursing in the state where you will practise which requirements apply.
What the certifying boards do provide is verification: AANPCB confirms certification status, certification number, population focus and expiration date, but does not disclose exam scores to employers or boards, and does not report exam failures to State Boards of Nursing.
Source: AANPCB (NPCB) — FAQ. Checked 18 October 2026.
Renewal: AANPCB and ANCC FNP renewal requirements
AANPCB certification lasts five years. To renew without retesting you need at least 1,000 practice hours as an FNP and 100 advanced practice continuing education contact hours, 25 of them in advanced pharmacology; the alternative is renewal by examination. If certification expires, you may not use the NP-C credential.
The ANCC FNP renewal requirements: hold a current, active RN license, complete 75 continuing education contact hours with 25 hours of pharmacology, and complete at least one of eight professional development categories, which include 1,000 practice hours in your specialty and retaking the exam. ANCC renewal costs $375 for non-members and $275 for ANA members.
Source: ANCC — Certification Renewal Requirements. Checked 18 October 2026.
FNP exam prep: official study guide resources
Build your FNP study guide from the boards’ own documents. ANCC publishes the Test Content Outline, the Reference List, ANCC FNP practice questions in the form of sample test questions with answers, and a 60-question Readiness Test with 75 minutes for $85 that gives feedback by domain. AANPCB sells a 50-question practice exam for $50 with 60 minutes to complete and review it.
Whatever FNP review you choose, check it against the current outline for your board. A good FNP certification intensive review course covers every domain in the blueprint rather than favourite topics, and works with exam-style FNP exam questions. ANCC notes that performance on its Readiness Test is not an exact prediction of performance on the certification exam.
Source: ANCC — Readiness Tests. Checked 18 October 2026.
FNP practice questions
Certsqill’s FNP practice questions are expert-developed and mapped to the AANPCB and ANCC domains, from assessment and diagnosis to planning and evaluation. Use them as an FNP practice exam before you book the FNP certification exam.
Every question comes with an explanation for each answer option, and your results build a readiness score per domain, so you can see where your FNP exam prep still has gaps. A 7-day money-back guarantee applies.
FNP questions people ask
What is the difference between AANPCB and ANCC FNP certification?
AANPCB awards NP-C after a 150-question, 3-hour exam; ANCC awards FNP-BC after a 175-question, 3.5-hour exam. Both are valid for five years. Source: AANPCB handbook and ANCC, checked 18 October 2026.
How many questions are on the FNP exam?
AANPCB: 150 (135 scored). ANCC: 175 (150 scored). Source: AANPCB handbook and ANCC, checked 18 October 2026.
How much does the FNP certification exam cost?
AANPCB: $240 for members, $315 for non-members. ANCC: $395 for non-members, $295 for ANA members, $340 for AANP members. Checked 18 October 2026.
Can I sit the FNP exam with a post-master’s FNP certificate?
Yes. Both boards accept graduate, post-graduate certificate and doctoral FNP programs with at least 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours. Source: AANPCB handbook and ANCC, checked 18 October 2026.
What is the passing score on the FNP board exam?
Neither board publishes a numeric passing score on the pages checked. ANCC results are pass or fail; AANPCB does not report scores as a percentage. Checked 18 October 2026.
How often can I retake the FNP test?
AANPCB: up to three times per calendar year. ANCC: after 60 days, at most three times in 12 months. Checked 18 October 2026.
What are the ANCC FNP renewal requirements?
An active RN license, 75 CE contact hours including 25 in pharmacology, and at least one of eight professional development categories. Source: ANCC renewal requirements, checked 18 October 2026.
What is the FNP malpractice insurance cost?
Neither AANPCB nor ANCC publishes it; malpractice coverage is not part of certification. Ask insurers or your employer for a quote for your state and practice setting.
Can an employer check my certification, not just my answers to FNP interview questions?
Yes. AANPCB verifications confirm certification status, number, population focus and expiration date; exam scores are not disclosed. Source: AANPCB FAQ, checked 18 October 2026.
Does FNP certification expire?
Yes, after five years with both boards. Renew with practice hours and continuing education or by examination. Source: AANPCB renewal handbook and ANCC, checked 18 October 2026.
