What to expect on your FNP 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 Family 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 items: | % items: |
|---|---|---|
| 01 – Assess | 43 | 32% |
| 02 – Diagnose | 36 | 26.5% |
| 03 – Plan | 36 | 26.5% |
| 04 – Evaluate | 20 | 15% |
| Total | 135 | 100% |
| Domain II – Patient Age* | Number of items: | % items: |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn | 3 | 2% |
| Infant | 4 | 3% |
| Toddler | 5 | 4% |
| Child | 6 | 4% |
| Adolescent* | 12 | 9% |
| Young Adult* | 30 | 22% |
| Middle Adult* | 35 | 26% |
| Older Adult | 40 | 30% |
| Total | 135 | 100% |
*Includes Prenatal
Age Parameters are not defined for any population. AANPCB uses growth and development for constructing the certification exams.
Knowledge Areas
Health Assessment
- Diagnostic and therapeutic tests
- Specialized assessments (e.g., developmental, functional, psychological)
- Health history
- Physical examination
Pathophysiology
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Pathophysiology
- Comorbidities
Therapeutics
- Pharmacologic therapies
- Non-pharmacologic
- Integrative
Evidence-informed Practice
- Crisis management
- Diagnostic reasoning
- Health promotion, harm reduction, and disease prevention
- Healthcare economics (e.g., cost, billing)
- Interprofessional practice
- Legal and ethical issues
- Patient and family education and counselling
- Principles of epidemiology, population health, and social drivers of health (SDoH)
- Procedures
- Transitions of care
- Cultural responsiveness
- Therapeutic communication
- Pain management
Get Started
The FNP certification examination is an entry-level competency-based examination that tests clinical knowledge in family/individuals across the life span.