Your Complete Guide to Qualifying for and Taking the FNP-C Exam
What is the FNP-C Exam?
The Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (FNP-C) exam, administered by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), is a competency-based exam that certifies nurse practitioners in family practice. It evaluates your ability to provide safe and effective care across the lifespan.
Eligibility Requirements
- Graduate from an Accredited Program: You must have completed a family nurse practitioner program accredited by either CCNE or ACEN.
- Hold a Valid RN License: You need an active and unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license in the United States.
- Clinical Hours: Completion of a minimum of 500 supervised clinical hours in your FNP program is required.
- Educational Documentation: Submit an official transcript showing program completion and your degree conferred.
Exam Format
The FNP-C exam is a computer-based test consisting of 150 questions, of which 135 are scored and 15 are pretest items. Questions assess your clinical knowledge in areas such as assessment, diagnosis, planning, and evaluation of care.
Scheduling Your Exam
- Application: Submit your application through the AANPCB portal, along with the $315 exam fee for AANP members ($340 for non-members).
- Authorization to Test (ATT): Once your application is approved, you’ll receive an ATT, which is valid for 120 days.
- Prometric Centers: Schedule your exam at an authorized Prometric testing center. Dates and times are subject to availability.
Preparing for the FNP-C Exam
Preparation is key to passing the FNP-C exam. Consider using a comprehensive prep course like those offered by ContinueEdge. Our courses include high-yield summaries, mnemonics, and practice exams tailored to the FNP-C exam blueprint.
Explore FNP-C Prep CoursesScoring and Retakes
The FNP-C exam is scored on a scale of 200 to 800, with a minimum passing score of 500. If you don’t pass, you can retake the exam after completing a retake application and paying the retest fee. Candidates may attempt the exam twice in a calendar year.