FNP-BC - Family Nurse Practitioner (Certified by ANCC)
- $290-$395
- Renews every 5 years
COURSE FORMAT
About
Master’s prepared Nurse Practitioners are eligible to receive the certification of Family Nurse Practitioner or FNP. This career route is gaining popularity as it offers more flexibility than a standard Nurse Practitioner. A Family Nurse Practitioner can treat patients from infancy all the way through to geriatrics.
The Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (FNP-BC) is offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Course Format
The exam required for the Family Nurse Practitioner Certification is made up of 175 questions, 150 of which are scored with 25 pretest questions that do not contribute to your final score. Test takers are given 3.5 hours to complete the exam.
The FNP Certification exam costs $395 for those who do not have a membership to the ANA. If you are a member of the American Nurses Association, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, or the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, then you can sign up for the test at a discounted rate, ranging anywhere from $290 to $340.
Some individuals may find online testing as a more convenient option, depending on testing locations in your area. However, the ANCC recommends testing in person if possible because some test takers have experienced delays in testing due to LRP connectivity issues.
Once you’ve received authorization to test or ATT, you can self-schedule your exam at a Prometric Testing Center near you.
Certification
In order to test for the Family Nurse Practitioner Certification you’ll need to take the following steps:
Confirm your eligibility.
Apply online.
Submit education verification documents.
Decide on in-person or online testing.
Renewal
When it comes to maintaining your FNP certification, you’ll want to make sure to always keep track of the renewal date in order to not let it expire. Create an account with the ANCC in order to continuously track your professional development – be sure to always keep your contact information up-to-date.
When it comes time to renew your certification, these are the steps to follow:
Review your eligibility and determine pricing. Non-members of the ANCC will pay $375 to renew their certification. Discounted rates range from $275 to $320.
Complete and submit a renewal application. Note: Before completing a renewal application, proof of professional development must be entered into your ANCC account.
Other Resources
When it comes time to prepare for the FNP certification exam, you’ll definitely want to utilize some study materials to help. There are a variety of helpful resources that can help you, including:
Related Certifications
Frequently asked questions
What additional certifications are available for FNP?
Once you’ve successfully passed the certification exam to become an FNP, there are a variety of next steps you can take in your career. Some FNPs choose to obtain additional certifications; popular options include Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP), Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP) or a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP). The ANCC Emergency Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (ENP-BC) is available for renewal only.
What does FNP C stand for?
Family Nurse Practitioner Certification. Some nurse practitioners obtain their FNP certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), while others use the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Both organizations are credible but provide with slightly different lettering. Certification from the ANCC is represented by “FNP-BC” while certification from the AANP is represented by “FNP-C”.
What other certifications does the ANCC offer besides the FNP-BC?
The American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) also offers the following:
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP-BC)
Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS-BC)
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP-BC)
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC)
The Adult Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (ANP-BC), Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (PCNS-BC) and Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist - Board Certified (ACNS-BC) are only available for renewal.
What organization offers the FNP-BC?
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers the FNP-BC.
Can I earn an FNP-BC online?
No you can't earn a FNP-BC online.