The Complete Guide to Nurse Practitioner Certifications and Credentials
As a nurse practitioner (NP), it's important to understand the various credentials and certifications available to you.
In this guide, we'll break down the most common nurse practitioner credentials and certifications, including examples and requirements, to help you navigate your career path.
Understanding these credentials can help you decide which specialization aligns with your interests and provide you with the necessary steps to achieve your professional goals.
What Is a Nurse Practitioner?
Before we dive into the different credentials and certifications, let's first define the role of a nurse practitioner. A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with advanced education and clinical training, typically at the master's or doctoral level.
Although regulations vary by state, many NPs are able to provide many of the same healthcare services as physicians, including diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medication, and managing chronic conditions. They play a critical role in healthcare delivery, offering a holistic approach to patient care that emphasizes health promotion and disease prevention. In some states, nurse practitioners are required to have a collaborating agreement with a physician to practice independently.
In some parts of the U.S., nurse practitioners are often the primary healthcare provider for many patients, particularly in underserved areas where access to physicians may be limited. With their advanced training, NPs are equipped to make clinical decisions, interpret diagnostic tests, and initiate treatment plans.
How to Obtain Nurse Practitioner Certification and Credentials
The process for obtaining nurse practitioner credentials and certifications may vary depending on the state where you practice and the organization offering the certification. Be sure to check with your state medical and nursing board to confirm the requirements for the certification you wish to pursue.
In general, the steps to obtain an NP credential or certification include:
Complete an accredited master's or doctoral degree in nursing.
Obtain an RN license and complete the required number of clinical hours.
Gain experience in the desired specialty (if applicable).
Pass the national certification exam for your desired certification.
Meet any additional requirements for maintaining the certification, such as continuing education credits.
As mentioned, it's important to research the specific requirements for the certification you are interested in pursuing to ensure you meet all the necessary criteria. Many organizations offer resources and guides to assist candidates through the certification process. Furthermore, staying connected with professional networks and associations can provide valuable insights and support as you work towards your certifications.
Common Nurse Practitioner Certifications and Credentials
At the time of entry into an NP education program, nurse practitioners typically choose the type of patient population they will focus on. Nurse practitioners may choose to specialize in a specific area of healthcare, such as pediatrics or psychiatry.
This specialization will often determine the type of credentials they pursue. Some nurse practitioners obtain multiple certifications over the course of their careers.
See below for some of the most common nurse practitioner credentials and certifications.
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), approximately 70% of all practicing NPs are certified in Family care. Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) specialize in providing healthcare to patients of all ages, from infants to older adults. They may work in primary care offices, clinics, hospitals, or specialty practices.
FNPs are trained to diagnose and treat common illnesses and injuries, manage chronic conditions, and provide preventive care for patients of all ages. They are adept at navigating the healthcare needs of families, providing continuous and comprehensive care.
Examples of Family Nurse Practitioner Credentials:
FNP-BC: Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified
CFNP: Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Requirements:
Master's or Doctoral degree in nursing
RN license
National certification from American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)
Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners (AGNPs) specialize in providing healthcare to adults and older adults. AGNPs play a crucial role in managing the health of adults as they age, from adolescence through senior years. They may work in primary care offices, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or specialty clinics.
AGNPs are trained to diagnose and treat common illnesses and injuries in adults, manage chronic conditions, and provide preventive care. Their role is critical in addressing the complex health needs of an aging population and in promoting healthy aging.
Examples of Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Credentials:
AGACNP-BC: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified
AGPCNP-BC: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified
Requirements:
Master's or Doctoral degree in nursing
RN license
National certification from a certifying body, such as the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) specialize in providing mental health care to patients of all ages. They may work in mental health clinics, hospitals, or private practices.
PMHNPs are trained to diagnose and treat mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, and may also provide psychotherapy and prescribe medication. They are essential in bridging the gap in mental health services and offer a range of therapeutic interventions.
Examples of Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Credentials:
PMHNP-BC: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified
Requirements:
Master's or Doctoral degree in nursing
RN license
National certification from a certifying body like the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certifcation Board (AANPCB).
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) specialize in providing healthcare to children from birth to young adulthood. They may work in a variety of settings, such as pediatric clinics, primary care offices, and hospitals.
PNPs undergo specialized training to effectively diagnose and treat a wide range of common illnesses and injuries that may affect children. In addition to this, they are also well-versed in managing chronic conditions that can impact a child's health and well-being, providing comprehensive care that addresses both the immediate symptoms and long-term management of these conditions. PNPs may also work closely with families to educate them on important health and wellness practices that can contribute to the long-term health of their young patients.
Examples of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Credentials:
CPNP-AC: Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care
CPNP-PC: Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care
PPCNP-BC: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified
Requirements:
Master's or Doctoral degree in nursing
RN license
National certification from a certifying body, such as the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners (WHNP) provide healthcare to women throughout the lifespan. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), approximately 2.2% of all licensed NPs specialize in Women’s Health.
WHNPs are equipped to provide a wide range of healthcare services, emphasizing preventive care, health maintenance, and the management of acute and chronic conditions specific to women.
Examples of Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Credentials:
WHNP-BC: Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner Certification
Requirements:
Master's or Doctoral degree in nursing
RN license
National certification from the National Certification Corporation (NCC)
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
Neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) provide specialized healthcare to newborns. NNPs are critical in stabilizing and managing the health of premature infants, ensuring they receive appropriate interventions and support during the important early stages of life.
The role of NNPs incorporates elements of critical care, family support, and collaborative decision-making with the neonatal healthcare team. Their expertise is particularly vital in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), where they collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care to infants with various medical conditions.
Examples of Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Credentials:
NNP-BC: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Certification (NNP-BC)
Requirements:
Master’s or Doctoral degree in nursing
RN license
National certification from the National Certification Corporation (NCC)
Nurse Practitioner Credentials: Certifying Bodies
Several organizations are responsible for certifying nurse practitioners in the United States, ensuring they meet the professional standards required for practice. While not comprehensive, below is a list of some of the top certifying organizations for NPs.
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) is a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA) and offers a range of certifications for nurse practitioners. The organization is known for its rigorous certification process, which includes a comprehensive examination to validate the nurse's expertise and knowledge in their specialty area.
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)
The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) is an independent, non-profit certifying body focused on a certification process for those who want to enter or advance in the NP profession.
The AANPCB was established by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and is now separately incorporated. It has trademarked the credential “NP-C.”
Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)
The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) is the largest certifying body of nursing professionals who care for children, adolescents, and young adults.
The organization is committed to promoting optimal health outcomes in children and adolescents by ensuring certified practitioners meet high standards of care. According to PNCB: “PNCB certifies more than 56,000 nursing professionals who actively hold at least one of our four credentials: Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN), Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-AC), Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-PC), and Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist (PMHS).”
National Certification Corporation (NCC)
The National Certification Corporation (NCC) is a not-for-profit organization that provides national certification programs to a wide range of healthcare professionals, including nurses and physicians.
According to NCC: “Certification is awarded to nurses in the obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal specialties, and advanced practice Neonatal and Women's Health nurse practitioners. Subspecialty certifications are awarded to licensed healthcare professionals in the subspecialty areas of electronic fetal monitoring, care of the extremely low birth weight neonate, neonatal neuro-intensive care, obstetric and neonatal quality and safety, and neonatal pediatric transport.”
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is the world’s largest specialty nursing organization and has a membership of over 100,000 nurses. The AACN Certification Corporation provides certification and credentialing programs for acute and critical care nursing professionals.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are various credentials and certifications available to nurse practitioners, depending on their specialty and area of practice. These credentials and certifications not only demonstrate a nurse practitioner's expertise and knowledge but also provide opportunities for career advancement and higher earning potential.
The journey to becoming a certified nurse practitioner is a challenging yet rewarding one that requires dedication, commitment, and a passion for patient care.
