Running head: CERTIFICATION PREFERENCE

Certification Preference
Salena Barnes
Georgia College and State University

As future nurse practitioner graduates, it is important to be aware of the available

certification options and also understand the meaning of national certifications. There are
currently two national certification credentialing bodies. The American Nurse Credentialing
Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioner Certification Program
(AANPCP). The ANCC is the largest nurse credentialing organization and currently offers more
specialty exams than AANPCP. Lets explore similarities and differences between the ANCC
and AANPCP.
The ANCC and AANPCP are similar in that both exams are computer-based tests
designed in a multiple choice format and will allow Nurse Practitioner (NP) students to apply for
testing as early as the final semester of their program. Both certifying organizations require NP
students to hold a current Registered Nurse (RN) license, as well as sustain that license

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throughout employment as an NP. Furthermore, both the ANCC and AANPCP request two to

eight weeks to process completed applications. Additional similarities include the ability to
reschedule the exam once, the tested provide a hard copy of transcripts, and both deliver
immediate feedback on passage or failure of the exam. The ANCC and AANPCP certification is
valid for 5 years with a minimum of 1,000 hours of clinical practice, as well as offer web based
test preparation for a fee (ANCC, 2014; see also AANPCP 2013).
Nevertheless, it is the differences of each organization that will most influence the
decision-making process. The ANCC exam has 200 questions (only 175 graded) with a testing
time of 4 hours (Heller & Pamponi, 2013). However, the AANPCP exam has 150 questions (only
135 graded) and participants are allotted 3 hours to take the exam (Heller & Pamponi, 2013). The
ANCC authorization to test letter expires within 90 days and AANPCP test letter expires within
120 days (ANCC, 2014; see also AANPCP 2013). Moreover, the major difference is ANCC
exams will have a larger number of nonclinical questions compared with the AANPCP exams.
The AANPCP test focuses on assessment, diagnosis, planning and evaluation of care (Heller &
Pamponi, 2013). However, The ANCC exam is more theory based focusing on theoretical
foundations of the nursing practice. For instance, the professional role, healthcare policy, and
clinical assessment and management are focus areas (Heller & Ramponi, 2013). Another major
difference between the two exams is the AANPCP exam questions are generally shorter in length
compared with the ANCCs exam questions. In addition, AANCP exams list the normal lab
results when there is a question pertaining to labs. This can prove invaluable to an unnerved
participant. Conversely, ANCC exams do not offer the normal lab values. Currently, ANCC
certification renewal require NPs to have 75 contact hours of continuing education (25 hours

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should be pharmacology) and AANPCP requires 75 contact hours of continuing education from
the area of specialization (ANCC, 2014; see also AANPCP 2013)
I like the fact that AANPCP has fewer questions, gives you 120 days to schedule testing
and provides you with what they consider normal lab values on the exam. Additionally, I like the
ANCC exams holistic approach of testing. However, just on the outside looking in the ANCC is
larger and seems a bit more rigorous than AANPCP. For me, both exams lead to my central goal
of becoming an NP. If you have a twenty dollar bill or twenty one dollar bills it still will spend
the same. I believe the ANCC exam would be the best choice for me in part because of the
required 25 hours of pharmacology education, in addition to the holistic form of testing. I believe
is imperative to stay up-to-date on medication and medication education is a part of being a wellrounded clinician.
The fact remains the role of the nurse practitioner is evolving and with it the instructions
that govern nurse practitioners. Furthermore, as future nurse practitioner graduates its vital that
we keep in our minds the current exam options may not exist by the time of graduation due to the
Consensus Model. The Consensus Model provides guidance for states to adopt uniformity in the
regulation of APRN roles. Furthermore, the Consensus Model has that ability to outline
educational requirements, accreditation, certification, and licensure. Currently, there are national
certification options but in the future all nurse practitioner graduates may be required to take the
same exam.

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4
References

Hellier, S. D., & Ramponi, D. R. (2012). What NP Graduates Need to know about Certification.
Retrieved from http://nurse-practitioners-and-physicianassistants.advanceweb.com/Student-and-New-Grad-Center/Student-Top-Story/What-NPGraduates-Need-to-Know-About-Certification.aspx.
http://www.aanpcert.org/ptistore/control/certs/program. (2009-2013).
http://www.aanpcert.org/ptistore/control/index
http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Certification. (2014).
http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Certification

References
Hellier, S. D., & Ramponi, D. R. (2012). What NP Graduates Need to know about Certification.
Retrieved from http://nurse-practitioners-and-physicianassistants.advanceweb.com/Student-and-New-Grad-Center/Student-Top-Story/What-N
Graduates-Need-to-Know-About-Certification.aspx.
http://www.aanpcert.org/ptistore/control/certs/program. (2009-2013).
http//www.aanpcert.org/ptistore/control/index
http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Certification. (2014).
http:www.nursecredentialing.org/Certification