The AANPCB Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) examination tests clinical knowledge in family/individual across the lifespan of prenatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, elderly, and frail elderly primary care.
Below is an outline of the qualifications and eligibility necessary to take the AANPCB FNP exam along with testing approval instructions. To ensure you’re not missing any information, take the time to read this and the FNP Candidate Handbook (effective May 22, 2019) provided by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB).
Qualifications and Eligibility to Take the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Exam
Qualifications
Applicants must meet specific educational requirements that prepare graduate, postgraduate, or doctoral students in the national competencies of the APRN core, Nurse Practitioner (NP) role, and the family focus.
Programs in the United States must be accredited by a national nursing organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (e.g. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Programs in the Canadian Provinces/ Territories must be approved by a national nursing organization.
Additional Requirements for Initial Application
• Successful completion of program required faculty-supervised clinical clock hours;
• Completion of the APRN core courses: advanced physical assessment, advanced pharmacology, and advanced pathophysiology;
• Current and unencumbered U.S. or Canadian registered nurse licensure;
• Interim transcript showing completed academic “coursework-to-date” or a final official transcript showing the degree awarded (conferred).
Eligibility Process
• Applicants enrolled in MSN or post-Master’s certificate NP programs may begin the application process as early as 6 months before completion of their program.
• Applicants enrolled in DNP programs may begin the application process as early as 1 year prior to completion of their program.
• Candidates need to establish an Online Profile account with AANPCB.
• Normal processing time for initial applications may take 3 to 6 weeks, depending upon receipt of a complete application, which includes all required documents and applicable fees.
• Once an application has been processed and required documents received, the application is forwarded for professional review by qualified Certified Nurse Practitioners.
• Applicants are notified by email once weekly if additional information is needed to complete an application.
Approval to Test & Authorization-to-Test (ATT) Letters
Candidates cannot sit for an examination until after they have completed their NP program.
1. Applications are reviewed for completeness and to determine qualification to take the examination.
2. Once an application is approved, applicants will be notified by mail of their Approval to Test.
3. Eligible candidates, who submit an application prior to completing their NP program or before the graduation date, receive the ATT letter after all coursework is complete.
4. AANPCP then notifies ProExam of the applicant’s Eligibility to Test.
5. ProExam will then mail the Authorization-To-Test (ATT) letter within 7-10 business days of notification.
6. The ATT letter authorizes the candidate to take the examination, grants the 120-day testing window, provides the candidate with their Testing Identification Number, and provides important instructions for scheduling a test appointment with Prometric Testing Centers.
Candidates must read their ATT letter thoroughly and keep the letter in a secure place for referencing of their Testing Identification Number.
