ANCC vs. AANP: Which FNP Board Exam Should You Take?

ANCC vs. AANP: Which FNP Board Exam Should You Take?

Becoming a certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is an exciting milestone in your career, but before you can officially add those coveted letters after your name, you need to pass a board exam.

The big question is: Should you take the ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center) or AANP (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners) exam?

Both exams lead to FNP certification, but they differ in format, content focus, and renewal requirements. Let’s break it all down so you can make the best choice for YOU!

ANCC (FNP-BC) Exam Overview

The ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center) exam awards you the FNP-BC (Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified) credential upon passing.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • The exam consists of 175 questions and you have 3.5 hours to complete it.
  • Question formats include multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, multiple-response, and hotspot questions.
  • It tests both clinical knowledge AND professional role topics like research, leadership, and policy.
  • The exam costs $395, but if you're an ANA member, it's reduced to $295.
  • To renew your certification, you need 75 CE hours and 1,000 clinical hours every 5 years.
  • If you don’t pass, you can retake the exam up to 3 times in 12 months.

This exam is great for those who want a mix of clinical and professional topics and may be interested in academic, leadership, or policy roles in addition to patient care.

*Tip: Our FNP Board Prep Study Guide includes an entire section on Professional Practice review, as well as sample dump sheets, a 3-month study calendar and Pre/Post-testing advice!

AANP (FNP-C) Exam Overview

The AANP (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners) exam awards you the FNP-C (Family Nurse Practitioner-Certified) credential upon passing.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and you have 3 hours to complete it.
  • Unlike the ANCC exam, there are no alternate question formats—just multiple-choice.
  • It focuses strictly on clinical practice—no leadership, research, or policy questions.
  • The exam costs $315, but AANP members pay a discounted rate of $240.
  • To renew your certification, you need 100 CE hours and 1,000 clinical hours every 5 years.
  • If you don’t pass, you can retake the exam up to 2 times per year (but you must complete CE hours before retesting).

This exam is ideal for those who want a purely clinical focus and do not want to be tested on non-clinical topics like ethics, policy, and leadership.

Which Exam is Best for You?

💡 Choose ANCC if:

  • You prefer a mix of clinical and professional role topics.
  • You want a variety of question types beyond multiple-choice.
  • You may pursue teaching, research, or leadership roles in the future.

💡 Choose AANP if:

  • You want a purely clinical exam without policy or research questions.
  • You prefer straightforward, multiple-choice questions only.
  • You plan to work strictly in clinical practice and don’t need the FNP-BC credential.

No matter which exam you choose, having a solid study plan is essential. If you want a structured 3-month study guide with mnemonics, practice questions, and must-know content, check out our FNP Board Prep Study Guide!

How to Prepare for Either Exam

No matter which exam you take, here’s what will help you succeed:

✅ Follow a structured study plan – Avoid last-minute cramming by setting a schedule.
✅ Practice with exam-style questions – Get comfortable with the types of questions you’ll see.
✅ Use mnemonics and memory tricks – Make complex topics easier to recall.
✅ Find a reliable study resource – Don’t waste time searching—use a comprehensive study guide (Check out our most-loved FNP Board Prep Study Guide).

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, both ANCC and AANP will certify you as an FNP. The choice comes down to your personal strengths, test-taking preferences, and career goals.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with studying, you’re not alone! That’s why I created my FNP Board Prep Study Guide —to help NP students like you pass with confidence.

Which exam are you leaning towards—ANCC or AANP? Drop a comment below!

Back to blog