A-GNP - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP) certification validates the knowledge and clinical skills of the AGPCNP. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) offers the A-GNP exam, accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and the American Board of Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC).

Eligibility

To be eligible to take the A-GNP exam, applicants must have: 

• An active RN license in any U.S. state or territory or legal equivalent in Canada

• A master’s, post-graduate certificate, or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from an A-GNP program accredited by a nursing accrediting organization acknowledged by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or Department of Education

  • Canadian programs must be acknowledged by the Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators (CCRNR)

• Completed at least 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours as a part of the A-GNP program

• Completed a graduate-level course in advanced pharmacology, advanced health assessment, and advanced physiology/pathophysiology

• Completed the population-specific specialties for Adult-Gerontology Primary Care and the national competencies for the role of a nurse practitioner

Cost:

Online Application

• Members: $240

• Non-members: $315

Paper Application

• Members: $290

• Non-members: $365

Exam Format

The A-GNP certification exam includes 135 scored questions and 15 unscored questions. It takes 3 hours to complete and features Pass/Fail grading. The exam has a scaled score range from 200 to 800, with a minimum passing score of 500. The AANPCB provides a preliminary pass or fail immediately following exam completion, but this isn’t an official score and can’t be used to activate NP certification status. The AANPCB mails the official scores. The exam blueprint consists of two domains, objectives and patient age ranges.

Domain 1

• Assess - 45 questions

• Diagnose - 34 questions

• Plan - 32 questions

• Evaluate  - 24 questions

Domain 2

• Adolescent - 3 questions

• Young Adult - 18 questions

• Adult - 40 questions

• Older Adult - 51 questions

• Elderly - 23 questions

Test Dates

Applicants can register to take the exam anytime based on availability at their selected PSI Testing Center. Applicants must test within 120-days of receiving their Eligibility to Test notice.

Online Application Process

• Go to the AANPCB website

• Click “Online” under the Certify heading 

• Click “Apply” under the A-GNP heading

• Sign in or create an account

• Complete the contact information section

• Complete the Education and Clinical section

  • Number of clinical hours set by program 

  • Information for any Advanced Practice NP coursework, such as Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Primary Care Courses, or Advanced Physical Assessment

  • Information for clinical practice sites 

• Complete the License and Attestation section

  • Include any RN, NP, or APRN licenses held

• Upload unofficial transcripts and proof of nursing licenses if applicable

• Read the attestation component and click “Continue”

• Input payment information

  • Payments by credit card, personal check, or money order accepted

• Click “Continue” and “Submit Application”

Paper Application Process

• Go to the AANPCB website

• Click “Paper” under the Certify heading 

• Download and print the A-GNP and FNP Certification Examination Application

• Complete the contact information section

• Check the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner box

• Complete the Attestation and License section

  • Include any RN, NP, or APRN licenses held

• Complete the Education and Clinical section

  • Number of clinical hours set by program 

  • Information for any Advanced Practice NP coursework such as Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Primary Care Courses, or Advanced Physical Assessment

  • Information for clinical practice sites 

• Complete the payment information section

  • Payments by credit card, personal check, or money order accepted

• Attach proof of licensure and unofficial transcripts if applicable

• Mail completed application and documents to:

AANPCB
Capital Station, LBJ Building
P.O. Box 12926
Austin, TX 78711-2926

For overnight delivery send to:

AANPCB
2600 Via Fortuna, Ste 240
Austin, TX 78746

Following application submission, the AANPCB must receive official transcripts from the educational institution by mail or email at [email protected].

Applicants can check their application status by logging into their AANPCB account and clicking “My Application/Order Status” on the right column. Once the AANPCB approves the candidate’s application, they receive instructions on scheduling their A-GNP certification exam.

Candidates who pass the exam receive a packet containing their score letter, certification number, personalized wall certificate, wallet card, and lapel pin in the mail approximately 3 weeks after the release of their passing score.

A-GNP certification is valid for 5 years. A-GNPs can recertify through a combination of clinical hours and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or by re-taking the A-GNP exam. A-GNPs renewing by retesting should apply around 120 days before their expiration date to allow for application processing, exam scheduling, and potentially retaking the exam.

Online Renewal

• Go to the AANPCB website

• Scroll down and click “Online” under the Recertify heading

• Login to account

• Select whether recertifying by exam or clinical hours + CEUs

• Complete the contact information section

• Upload a copy of current nursing license

• Enter clinical practice site information and 100 CEUs completed within the last 5 years

  • Skip this step if recertifying by exam

• Complete the License and Attestation section

• Read the attestation component and click “Continue”

• Insert payment information

  • Payment by credit card, personal check, or money order accepted

• Click “Continue” and “Submit Application”

Paper Renewal

• Go to the AANPCB website

• Scroll down and click “Paper” under the Recertify heading

• If recertifying by clinical hours + CEUs, download and print the “Renewal of Certification by Clinical Hours and CE Application”

• If recertifying by examination, download and print the “Renewal of Certification by Examination Application”

• Complete the contact information section

• Check the box next to “Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner” and fill in Certification number

• Complete the Attestation and License section

• Complete the CE Log and clinical practice site record (skip this step if recertifying by examination)

• Complete the payment information section

  • Payment by credit card, personal check, or money order accepted

• Attach proof of license and CEU documents

• Mail completed application and documents to:

AANPCB
Capital Station, LBJ Building
P.O. Box 12926
Austin, TX 78711-2926

For overnight delivery send to:

AANPCB
2600 Via Fortuna, Ste 240
Austin, TX 78746

Renewal Fees:

Clinical Practice Hours + CEUs

Online Application

• Members: $120

• Non-members: $195

Paper Application

• Members: $170

• Non-members: $245

Re-Examination

Online Application

• Members: $240

• Non-members: $315

Paper Application

• Members: $290

• Non-members: $365

Applicants are eligible for renewal via clinical hours + CEU after meeting the following requirements:

• Have an active RN license in the United States or Canada

• 1000 clinical hours in the AGNP role and population

• 100 Advance Practice CEUs

  • 25 CEUs must be advanced pharmacology 

  • Specific life support classes, preceptorship, and student clinical supervision can count towards CEUs

For full information refer to the recertification handbook.

• A-GNP Domains and Exam Blueprint

• AANPCB Test Taking Tips

• AANPCB Practice Tests ($50 per test)

• Certification Handbook

Other certifications offered by the AANPCB include:

• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C)

• Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP-C)

Other certifications offered by the ANCC include:

• Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (FNP-BC)

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGACNP-BC)

• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification (PMHNP-BC)