What to expect on your AGNP certification exam
NPCB develops and administers competency-based certification examinations designed to support the continued advancement of nurse practitioner practice and patient care.
Competency-based
The exam is designed to assess essential competencies required for entry-level Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners.
150 questions
The test consists of 150 multiple-choice questions evaluating readiness for advanced nursing practice.
Here’s the Breakdown
| Domain I | Number of scored items: | % items |
|---|---|---|
| 01 – Assess | 37 | 28% |
| 02 – Diagnose | 34 | 25% |
| 03 – Plan | 34 | 25% |
| 04 – Evaluate | 30 | 22% |
| Total | 135 | 100% |
| Domain II – Patient Age* | Number of scored items: | % items: |
|---|---|---|
| Adolescent | 3 | 2% |
| Young Adult | 18 | 13% |
| Adult | 28 | 28% |
| Older Adult | 54 | 40% |
| Elderly | 22 | 17% |
| Total | 135 | 100% |
Age Parameters are not defined for any population. AANPCB uses growth and development for constructing the certification exams.
Knowledge Areas
Health Assessment
- Health history
- Mental health assessment
- Physical examination
- Diagnostic and therapeutic tests
- Therapeutic communication
- Signs and symptoms
- Functional assessment
- Cultural competence/sensitivity
Pathophysiology
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Pathophysiology
- Comorbidities
Therapeutics
- Pharmacologic therapies
- Non-pharmacologic therapies
- Integrative therapies
Evidence-informed Practice
- Clinical decision-making
- Crisis management
- Differential diagnosis
- Health promotion, harm reduction, and disease prevention
- Patient and family education and counselling
- Principles of epidemiology, population health, and social determinants of health
- Disaster preparedness / public health emergency response
- Procedures
- Transitions of care (transfer, end-of-life care, etc.)
- Care of diverse populations
- Healthcare finance, economics, and policy
- Interprofessional practice
- Legal and ethical issues
Get Started
The AGNP certification examination is an entry-level competency-based examination that tests clinical knowledge of adolescent to older adult population.