Application Process

Applicants must create an Online Profile to apply for certification. To begin the applications process, click on "Begin Certification" on the Home Page. Paper applications* (located under Forms) are available for use by individuals unable to utilize the web-based application.

An applicant’s first and last name used to create an online Profile:

The email address used by an applicant to create an online Profile is the email address:

Applicants are encouraged to review the Candidate Handbook for the exam they are taking for important information regarding the application process, testing content, and testing procedures.

Applications are approved if requirements for eligibility are met, and required documentation is received and reviewed for completeness. Applicants are not eligible to sit until after the applicant has completed all of the didactic and clinical coursework required in the NP portion of their program.

Candidates are notified by email when they are eligible to test. The email is sent by AANPCB from Certification@aanpcert.org and provides instructions for scheduling the examination with Prometric at www.prometric.com . Candidates may review the exam day rules by visiting https://proscheduler.prometric.com/scheduling/testInformation, selecting Schedule and choosing American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board as the Test Sponsor and Program.

Candidates can schedule their testing appointment at a location and on a date convenient for their scheduling needs, based on Prometric testing center’s availability. Candidates are encouraged to make appointments at their earliest convenience to guarantee the desired time and testing site. Applicants who do not test during the provided 120-day window to test will be required to obtain a request from AANPCB to have their Eligibility Identification Number re-set and pay all applicable fees. Candidates found ineligible to have their Eligibility reactivated can be refunded the registration fee less a processing fee.


RETAKING THE EXAMINATION

It is AANPCB policy to limit a candidate to two (2) testing attempts per calendar year (January 1st to December 31st) to avoid examination item compromise.

  • To retake the examination, apply online using either the online or paper Retake Application option.
  • Candidates are required to complete a minimum of 15 hours of advanced practice continuing education from an accredited CE provider in the areas of weakness as indicated on their score report.
  • Please review the Domains and Tasks for the NP Examination section in the Candidate Handbook on our website for content that describes each testing domain in detail. Since performance in a testing domain is based on fewer items and is therefore less reliable than performance on the whole exam, we encourage you to consider all the exam domains when making your exam preparation plan.
  • CE must be completed after the examination date which the candidate did not pass.

  • CANCELLATION & WITHDRAWAL

    Candidates must follow Prometric guidelines (www.prometric.com) regarding rescheduling, cancellations, and withdrawals. You may reschedule or cancel your exam either online at www.prometric.com or by calling a Prometric customer service representative at (800) 742-8738 during hours of operation. A voicemail message is not an acceptable form of cancellation.


    *PAPER APPLICATION FEE