AGNP Certification Requirements

/ Exam Prep / By / August 20, 2025
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Steps to Earning Your AGNP® Certification

(With excerpts from Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Certification Intensive Review: Fast Facts and Practice Questions, Fourth Edition, by Maria T. Codina Leik MSN, ARNP, FNP-C, AGPCNP-BC)

Get moving toward the next chapter in your career by following these steps to earn your Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) certification.

Step 1: Make Sure You Qualify

To sit for your AGNP exam, you’ll need to meet these requirements:

  1. Graduate of an approved master’s, postgraduate, or doctoral NP program.

  2. Program accredited by the CCNE or ACEN.

  3. At least 500 faculty-supervised clinical practice hours.

  4. Active RN license in any U.S. state or territory.*

If you answered yes to all four—you’re off to a great start!

Step 2: Create an Account with Your Credentialing Organization

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

The largest nurse credentialing organization in the U.S. and the independent credentialing arm of the ANA. Applications can be managed online or through the MYANCC mobile app, which also tracks CE hours.

American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)

An independent organization affiliated with the AANP and AAENP. Offers certification exams for FNP-C, AGNP-C, and ENP-C.

When to Apply:

  • MSN or Post-Master’s students: up to 6 months before graduation.

  • DNP students: up to 12 months before graduation, if all didactic courses and clinical requirements are complete.

Step 3: Schedule Your Exam

ANCC

Exams are administered at Prometric Testing Centers (160 countries).

  • Website: prometric.com/ANCC

  • Phone: (800) 350-7076

  • Special accommodations: (800) 967-1139

AANPCB

Exams are administered by PSI Services LLC, with 300+ locations across the U.S. and Canada.

  • Website: psiexams.com

  • Phone: (800) 733-9267

  • Fax: (702) 932-2666

Step 4: Plan Your Timeline

Timeline Recommended Actions
3–4 months before graduation Open an account with ANCC and/or AANPCB, review requirements, download Test Content Outline and Reference List, and check your state board of nursing’s NP licensure requirements.
4–6 weeks before graduation Order at least 3–4 copies of your official final transcript.
2–3 weeks before graduation ANCC applicants: Have your NP program director sign the ANCC Education Validation Form.

Step 5: Start Studying

Most candidates take 2–3 months to prepare. Start now with:

Footnote

The ANCC will accept the professional legally recognized equivalent of NP status from another country if applicants meet certification criteria. Additional requirements apply if educated or licensed outside the U.S.

Resources

  • American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board. aanpcert.org

  • PSI Testing: psiexams.com

  • Leik, M.C. (2018). Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Certification Intensive Review: Fast Facts and Practice Questions, Third Edition. Springer Publishing.

  • Nursing Credentialing: nursingworld.org/ancc

  • Prometric ANCC Portal: prometric.com/ANCC

👉 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP Certification Overview

Springer Publishing Editorial Staff
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