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Certification Exam InformationAMERICAN NURSES CREDENTIALING CENTER (ANCC) Credentials: FNP-BC Phone: 1-800-284-2378 Local International: 301-628-5250 The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) is the independent credentialing body of the American Nurses Association (ANA). It is the largest nurse credentialing organization in the United States. The ANCC currently offers certification exams for the following nurse practitioner (NP) specialties: FNP, Pediatric NP, Adult NP (until 2015), Gerontological NP (until 2015), Acute Care NP (ACNP), Family or Adult Psychiatric— Mental Health NP (PMHPNP-BC), and Diabetes Management (Advanced). The application forms and General Testing and Renewal Handbook are available at the ANCC website. AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS CERTIFICATION PROGRAM (AANPCP)Credentials: NP-C, Phone: (512)-442-5202 Fax: (512)-442-5221 Email: ??certification@??? ?(unofficial transcript)Email: ?Transcripts@ (official transcript)The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) is the independent credentialing body for the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANPs). The AANP merged with the American College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP) on January 1, 2013. A new edition of their FNP and ANP exam was released in the spring of 2012. The entire application packet and their Candidate and Renewal Handbook (containing sample questions) can be downloaded from their website.PROMETRIC COMPUTER TESTING CENTERS Phone: 1-800-350-7076 National Registration Center: Monday to Friday (8: 00 AM– 8: 00 EST) Special Conditions Department (Special Accommodations): 1-800-967-1139 Both certifying organizations use assigned Prometric Eligibility ID number before they can schedule an appointment to take the exam. For both the ANCC and the AANPCP, the letter with your Prometric ID number will arrive 2 weeks after you receive their “acceptance” or the authorization-to-test letter. If it does not arrive, it is important that you call the ANCC or AANPCP as soon as possible. If you are taking the ANCC exam, your letter will come directly from Prometric. For those taking the AANPCP exam, your letter will be from the Professional Examination Service (ProExam). Qualifications:Must be a graduate of an approved master’s, post-master’s, or doctorate degree program with a specialization in family NP (plus the required clinical practice hours) from an institution of higher learning. The program must be accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). In addition, the candidate must possess an active registered nurse (RN) license in any state or territory of the United States. The ANCC will, on an individual basis, accept the professional legally recognized equivalent (of NP status) from another country if the applicant meets their certification criteria. FAST FACTS Background Information The ANCC and the AANPCP usually release a new edition of their exams every 2 to 3 years. Furthermore, each exam edition has several versions that are very similar to each other. The version of the exam that you are taking is assigned at random by the Prometric computer system. What this means is that you may be taking a different version of the exam than your classmate even though both of you are taking the same edition of the exam on the same date and time at the same Prometric Testing Center. Exam Format Both exams are computer-based tests (CBTs) designed in a multiple-choice format. The exam does not shut down automatically after you have earned enough points. Each question has four answer options and each option has only one answer. You will not see multiple answers for one option, such as “Both A and C are correct.” There may be one to two case scenario questions that are followed by two questions per exam. Test Content Outline and Reference List The test content outline (TCO) is a list of the domains (major subject areas) that will be on the exam. Both the ANCC and the AANPCP provide the TCO on their website. It is important that you print out a copy of both these documents. Read each carefully and concentrate your studies on the designated topic areas. Total Number of Questions and Time ANCC: FNP Exams (Taken On or After August 6, 2013) There are 200 total questions (only 175 questions are graded). The new exam contains 25 more questions than the older exam. There are 25 questions that are not graded (for statistical data). Total Time: Total counted testing time of 4 hours.AANPCP: FNP and ANP Exam (Released in Spring 2012) There are 150 total questions (only 135 questions are graded). The new exam contains the same number of questions as previous exams. There are 15 questions that are not graded. Total Time: Total counted testing time is 3 hour. Computer Tutorial For both exams, each testing session starts with a 10- to 15-minute computer tutorial session. This time period is not counted as part of the testing time (it is “free” time). When the tutorial time period expires, the computer will automatically start the exam and the first question will appear on the screen. The countdown clock (upper corner of the screen) will start counting down the time. The countdown clock will not stop for “breaks,” but if you need a break, inform the Prometric staff member who is monitoring the testing area. Watch the time clock closely because when the allotted testing time expires, the computer will automatically shut down the exam. Time Allotted per QuestionFor both the ANCC and AANPCP certification exams, each question is allotted about 60 seconds. If you find yourself spending too much time on one question, pick an answer (best guess) and move on to the next question. Never leave any question unanswered. If you guess correctly, itwill get counted; if you leave it blank, it is marked as an error (0 points). Sample Exam Questions I highly recommend that you try the sample exams because they are very similar to the actual exam questions. The ANCC’s sample exam is web-based. It can be taken as many times as desired at no charge (and it is scored every time). The AANPCP also has free questions, which are listed on the last two pages of their 2012 candidate handbook. Both the AANPCP and ANCC now offer web-based practice for a fee. These practice exams can be taken several times. All of the exams have an expiration date.Which board certification exam is better?Both certifications are equally recognized as being from national specialty certifying bodies and are acceptable to governmental entities such as state boards of nursing, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Veterans Administration, as well as private health insurance plans. If you are a new graduate, it may be a good idea to speak to NPs as well as faculty in your area to find out whether one certification is preferred over the other in your area of practice. How do I apply for the ANCC or the AANPCP certification exam? Most test takers prefer to apply online, but first you must open an account on their websites. You can also apply by mail (the AANPCP charges an extra fee for mailed applications). All the application forms can be filled out and then saved on your desktop and printed. Another option is to download the form and fill it out by hand. If you apply by mail, do not forget to photocopy the entire contents of your application package (use a large brown envelope). You can use the U.S. Postal Service to mail your package, but I would recommend that you pay the extra fee for registered mail. How early can I apply for the certification exam? Both the ANCC and AANPCP will allow NP students to apply as early as the last semester of their program. In general, students usually apply a few weeks before they graduate. AANPCP: When you apply for the AANPCP early, you are required to submit an official copy of your current transcript (the interim transcript). The interim transcript is your most recent transcript that contains all of the course work that you have completed up to that date. When the official final transcript is released, either you or your school Registrar’s Office can mail it directly to the AANPCP. Early applications to the AANPCP can get approved as early as 2 to 3 weeks after graduation. ANCC: The ANCC will not process an application until payment has cleared and the application is completed. A completed application must contain all the required documentation, including the official final transcript and the signed “ANCC Validation of Advanced Practice Nursing Education” form. ................
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