5 Places to get your NP Certification

Exploring Your Horizons: NP certification opens the door to advanced practice. The certification obtained corresponds with the specialty pursued during graduate school. Here is a breakdown of the certifying bodies that exist for aspiring NPs:

1. American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB): AANPCB operates as an autonomous nonprofit entity, distinct from AANP (but often associated with AANP), and was founded to deliver a dependable and credible initiative for aspiring NPs at the entry level. Available certifications include:

Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (FNP)
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (A-GNP)
Emergency Nurse Practitioner Certification (ENP)

2. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN): The AACN Certification Corporation delivers comprehensive credentialing services for acute and critical care nurses and NPs, including the following options:

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification Adult-Gerontology (ACNPC-AG)
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNPC)*

3. American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC): The ANCC Certification Program empowers both nurses and NPs to showcase their specialized expertise, providing a means to validate their knowledge with employers and patients alike. ANCC offers a diverse array of certifications including:

Adult Nurse Practitioner Certification (ANP-BC)*
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGACNP-BC)
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGPCNP-BC)
Emergency Nurse Practitioner Certification (ENP-BC)*
Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (FNP-BC)
Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Certification (GNP-BC)
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (PPCNP-BC)*
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification (PMHNP-BC)
School Nurse Practitioner Certification (SNP-BC)*

4. National Certification Corporation (NCC): NCC, a nonprofit entity, offers a nationwide certification initiative for nurses, NPs, physicians, and licensed healthcare practitioners. NP certifications include the following:

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Certification (NNP-BC).
Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (WHNP-BC).

*renewal only

5. Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB): The PNCB advances excellence in global pediatric healthcare through certification services, validating specialized expertise and ongoing proficiency in pediatric nursing. Available certifications include the following:

Primary Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-PC)
Acute Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-AC)

For more information, including accreditation details on these NP certification pathways, please visit: https://www.aanp.org/student-resources-old/np-certification

Categories: DNP School, Getting Hired for Nurses, Nursing Student Success, Nursing 101, Tips for Nurses