FNP-C - Family Nurse Practitioner (Certified by NPCB)

The Family Nurse Practitioner-Certified (FNP-C) certification is one of two options for registered nurses (RNs) who have completed a post-graduate Family Nurse Practitioner program (FNP). The FNP-C certification, awarded by the Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (NPCB), shows clinical knowledge of individuals and families over the lifespan, including prenatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, older adult, and elderly primary care. FNPs must be certified to practice. This certification demonstrates a nurse practitioner’s proficiency in assessment, diagnosis, planning, and evaluation of the care plan. 

Originally, this certification was established through a department within the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) professional membership association.

Test Fees

• AANP Member Fee $240

• Non-member Fee $315

An additional non-refundable fee of $50 applies for paper applications.

Retake Fees:

• AANP Member Fee $240

• Non-member Fee $315

The FNP-C exam is offered by Prometric LLC.

The FNP-C examination is computer-based, takes three hours, and contains 150 multiple-choice questions. Candidates have approximately 50 seconds to answer each item.

Only 135 items are scored. The remaining 15 are pre-test questions used to gather statistical data for future exams. They do not affect the final results. Raw scores will range from 200 to 800 points. The minimum passing scaled score is 500.

Content is re-evaluated every 3 to 5 years. The board conducted a Family Examination Practice Analysis in 2020 and the current test version is from 2021.

Results

The exam is scored electronically. Pass/Fail results are available immediately. 

Those who fail receive an official score report via mail identifying areas of weakness. They must complete 15 hours of continuing education (CE) credit in the identified areas to retest. Then they can reapply to take the exam again. Candidates may not test more than twice in a calendar year.

Prerequisites:

1. An active, current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the US or Canada

2. Completion of a master’s or doctoral Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN);

3. Transcript showing successful completion of the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) core courses, including Advanced Physical Assessment, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Pathophysiology

4. A minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical practice hours 

Application Process:

1. Visit the NPCB to create an account.

2. Complete application for the certification exam.

3. Upload a copy of the FNP-C candidate’s professional license.

4. Watch the account for approval, status updates, or change contact info.

Applications may be submitted online, via email, faxed, or mailed. Applications are typically processed in 3-6 weeks. Approved candidates receive a 120-day window to test.

Online applications and electronic submissions are preferred. Email is the preferred method for general correspondence.

Nurse Practitioners must renew their FNP-C certification every five years.

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

Must complete at least 100 hours of CE, including:

• 25 CE hours in advanced practice pharmacology

• May replace non-pharmacology CE credits with precepting with a maximum of 120 preceptor hours replacing 25 non-pharmacology CE credits

The NPCB also offers the following:

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP)

• Emergency Nurse Practitioner-Certified (ENP-C)