How do I Study for my Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam?
(in 2024)
If you have completed your NP program, you’re ready to write your certification exam, which is required for your NP specialty license. I completed the AANPCB family nurse practitioner certification exam for my primary health care NP license. During the process of applying and gathering study materials, I found a plethora of information through colleagues, peers, and the internet. I found the options for studying overwhelming. Should I attend a live review course? Should I get an audio review course? Will a textbook and study questions be enough? Should I do practice tests?
Some people find studying from a textbook with practice questions enough, others prefer intensive review courses. Generally speaking, combining strategies from different sources is a common study strategy, and practice questions are key. I am both a visual and audio learner, so I used a recorded audio review course (which I could listen to while driving), a textbook, review questions, and practice tests. These were all from different sources too (APEA, Leik, Fitzgerald).
If you’re questioning what resources to use, talk with your peers, colleagues, and NPs who have been through this process already. There are many study guides out there, and you will find that students have used just about all of them.
Although I studied for the family nurse practitioner certification exam, I will touch on a few study options for other specialties. This is not a comprehensive list but will hopefully provide some guidance. Ensure your respective regulatory body recognizes the specialty certification exam you plan on writing.
Family Nurse Practitioner Study Options
Who offers certification exams?
Canadian Nurse Practitioner Examination (CNPE)
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Canadian Nurse Practitioner Examination (primary health care, family/all ages specialty): The CNPE is a computer-based exam offered at specific times of the year. Double-check with your respective college to ensure this exam is accepted as a certification exam. The Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators provides information on this exam. There is a CNPE F/AA Prep Tool that can be used to study for this exam.
APEA NP certification prep for AANPCB and ANCC exams: they offer exam prep bundles based on when you plan on writing your certification exam (testing in 4-6 weeks bundle, 3 months bundle, and 6 months bundle) with a variety of study materials.
APEA review course and clinical update: preparation for the FNP or AGPCNP exams from ANCC and AANP; recorded lectures available to listen on-demand, with a downloadable course manual study guide.
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Certification Exam Prep through UWorld: Provides FNP practice questions for the AANP and ANCC FNP exams, customizable digital flashcards, customizable digital notebook, and performance tracking to identify knowledge gaps.
Family NP Certification Review by Fitzgerald to prep for AANPCB or ANCC exams. There are several options available, including exam review packages and individual courses. Online, livestream, on-demand, and combination packages are available. The exam review packages offer a variety of learning modalities.
Maria Codina LEIK Intensive Nurse Practitioner Review Courses, FNP live review course (prep for AANPCB and ANCC exams).
Sarah Michelle NP Nurse Practitioner AANP and ANCC exam prep. There are several courses available, including a 3-course bundle, a crash course option, pharmacology in-depth review course, diagnosis in-depth review course, and a live study group option.
Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Intensive Review textbook (Author: Maria Codina Leik): includes practice questions, and an online option with more practice questions, flashcards, a study plan, and more.
Fitzgerald Bookstore (several options to choose from).
AANPCB FNP Practice exams: Each test has 75 multiple choice questions, with 90 minutes to complete each exam.
APEA Practice tests: 100 questions, no time-limit, identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP Study Options
Who offers certification exams?
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Fitzgerald Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP Certification Review: Several learning packages are available (basic, premier, and premier plus) with a variety of learning options.
APEA NP certification prep for AANPCB and ANCC exams: they offer exam prep bundles based on when you plan on writing your certification exam (testing in 4-6 weeks bundle, 3 months bundle, and 6 months bundle) with a variety of study material.
AANPCB FNP Practice exams: Each test has 75 multiple choice questions, with 90 minutes to complete each exam
APEA Practice tests: 100 questions, no time-limit, identify your strengths and weaknesses.
APEA MyQBank: has 800 study questions to practice.
APEA review course and clinical update: live recorded lectures available to listen on-demand, with a downloadable course manual study guide.
Psychiatric Mental Health NP Study Options
Who offers certification exams?
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Fitzgerald Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Certification: Several learning packages are available (basic, premier, and premier plus) with a variety of learning options.
APEA MyQBank: has 800 study questions to practice.
Adult-Gerontology Acute care NP Study Options
Who offers certification exams?
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Fitzgerald Adult-Gerontology Acute care NP Certification Review: Several learning packages are available (ultimate review package, online, or livestream).
APEA NP certification prep for ANCC and AACN exams: they offer exam prep bundles based on when you plan on writing your certification exam (testing in 3 months bundle, and 6 months bundle) with a variety of study material.
APEA MyQBank: has 800 study questions to practice.
Emergency NP Study Options
Who offers certification exams?
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)
Fitzgerald Emergency NP Certification Review: Online/on-demand review course available.
AANPCB FNP Practice exams: has 75 multiple choice questions, with 90 minutes to complete each exam.
Women’s Health NP Study Options
Who offers certification exams?
National Certification Corporation (NCC)
Fitzgerald Women’s Health NP Certification Review: Online/on-demand review course available.
APEA MyQBank: has 800 study questions to practice.
Neonatal NP Study Options
Who offers certification exams?
National Certification Corporation (NCC)
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Certification Intensive review by Amy R. Koehn (textbook)
Pediatric NP Study Options
Who offers certification exams?
Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (Acute Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Primary Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner)
Fitzgerald Pediatric Primary Care NP Certification Review: Online/on-demand review course available.
APEA MyQBank: has 800 study questions to practice.
Key Take Home Point: Ensure your study option(s) are geared towards the speciality exam you will be writing. Reflect on how you study best – do you like variety? Do you prefer reading content? Listening to content? Attending live courses and studying with others? Are you good at cramming or do you need to pace yourself? Whatever you end up deciding – believe in yourself, you got this!