Q: Where can I find information about the Emergency Nurse Practitioner specialty certification examination?
A: The ENP examination was launched January 2017. Applications are now being accepted. The Candidate Handbook for the Emergency Specialty is available under the Resources tab. There is also a 'How To' apply instructional video on the homepage.
Q: What are the eligibility requirements to take the ENP examination?
A: Eligibility is based on the candidate meeting the following requirements:
*A list of ENP academic programs and approved fellowships is available on the AAENP website https://aaenp-natl.org/
Q: What constitutes 'emergency' related continuing education (CE)? How do these CEs differ from those appropriate for maintaining my FNP certification?
A: For applicants who select Option #1 (CE & Practice) to demonstrate ENP certification eligibility with 100 contact hours of Emergency related CEs, appropriate educational programs focus on emergency/urgent care medical screening, decision-making, differential diagnosis, patient management, disposition, and professional/legal/ethical issues related to emergency NP practice. All of the CEs used to qualify for the ENP examination may be used to renew FNP certification for those certified by AANPCB.
Q: What types of skills and procedures are appropriate for my 30 hours of continuing emergency care requirements?
A: Education course content that includes, but is not limited to CE credits for suturing, lumbar puncture, thoracentesis, chest tube placement/management, paracentesis, advanced vascular access, fracture/joint reduction, nail removal/repair, local/regional anesthesia techniques, wound management/incision and drainage, diagnostic/procedural ultrasound, among others will be accepted to meet the procedural skills CE eligibility requirements. Credits obtained from Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) courses are acceptable, but ACLS, PALS, and BLS courses are not appropriate. All continuing education credits must be from an approved CE provider, such as AANP, ACEP, and AMA. Education programs that do not have appropriate CE credits will not be accepted. A list of ENP procedural skills can be found in the Resources tab on the home page.
Q:Can I count the procedures performed during my work hours in the ED as part of my 30 CE contact hours of emergency procedural skills?
A: Applicants need to provide documentation of completing 30 CE credits of emergency-related procedural skills within the past 5 years as an NP. The skills performed while working do not meet the CE requirements.
Q: I am not an FNP. Is there an option for me to take the ENP certification examination?
A: Due to the lifespan scope of the ENP examination, only certified FNPs who meet eligibility criteria will be able to take the AANPCB Emergency NP examination.
Q: How do I apply?
A: Applications and information about the content on the exam are available on the AANPCB website www.aanpcert.org. Online applications can be started by selecting the Certify tab. Paper application forms are available under the Forms tab. The paper application includes a $50 paper processing fee.
Q: How long will I be certified for?
A: The ENP certification will need to be renewed every five (5) years. Recertification criteria are described in the ENP Candidate Handbook.
Q: Is the ENP-C nationally recognized by all states?
A: The ENP-C certification by AANPCB meets the requirements described in the national Consensus Model for APRN Regulation for subspecialty certifications. However, state practice acts, licensure, and recognition vary significantly in the U.S.; each NP will need to verify information with the state they practice.
Q: Does AANPCB offer practice exams?
A: AANPCB currently has two Family Nurse Practitioner examinations and one Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner examination. (See www.aanpcert.org Practice Tests for more information on what a practice exam is and is not). Development of an ENP practice examination is in progress. However, there is no set date of release. Please see the website for updates.
Q: Does AANPCB offer educational courses or training materials to prepare exam candidates to take the ENP-C examination?
A: The FNP and AGNP practice tests offered by AANPCB are assessment tools to familiarize test candidates with the style of the certification exam, and are not study guides. AANPCB does not approve, develop, offer, or endorse any educational programs.
Q: I completed an acute care NP program. What do I need to do to qualify for the ENP exam?
A: Certification as an FNP is required; therefore, you will need to complete an FNP program. It is recommended that you contact a university that offers a post-graduate FNP program and request a review of your acute care NP program of study that includes a gap analysis to determine the coursework needed to meet their FNP program requirements. Once you are certified as an FNP, select the appropriate ENP application option to demonstrate meeting the eligibility requirements.
Q: I work in an urgent care clinic. Is the exam only available to those FNPs working in an ED?
A: While the majority of emergency care is provided in hospital-based or free-standing emergency departments (EDs), FNPs who work in other emergency care settings, such as urgent care, are able to take the ENP examination provided that they meet the listed eligibility requirements.
Q:I am a new FNP, but have worked many years as an RN in the ED. Can I use my work as an RN to qualify?
A: Only direct hours in the advanced practice role as an NP in emergency care qualify. Practice as a staff nurse in the ED, urgent care, operating room, post-anesthesia, intensive care, or other such settings are not to be included in the 2,000 hours to qualify for the examination.
Q: What are my options for ENP recertification?
A: You have two options for renewal.
Option One is to recertify by meeting the minimum of 1,000 emergency care clinical practice hours and 100 emergency-related continuing education (CE) requirements within the current 5-year period of certification.
Option Two is to recertify by taking and passing the appropriate certification examination before expiration of the current certification.
Current, active registered nurse licensure in the U.S., U.S. territory, or Canadian province or territory is required for both recertification options. For more information, see the Recertification Handbook.
Q: Are procedural skills CEs required for recertification?
A: No procedural skills CEs are required for certification renewal.
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