The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) is proud to announce Kevin Letz, DNP, MBA, RN, CNE-Ret, FNP-C, ANP-BC, PPCNP-BC, ENP-C, FAANP will become the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AANPCB effective October 14th, 2024.

Dr. Letz has been AANPCB's Director of Certification since 2021, having previously held positions of Vice President of Advanced Practice and Dean of Graduate Programs. He has over 25 years of clinical practice experience, published and presented on numerous clinical and leadership topics, and founded several NP-operated businesses and non-profit companies. Dr. Letz currently is president of the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS), which is a non-profit organization that focuses on improving patient outcomes and consumer protection by promoting specialty nursing certification.

Dr. Lorna Schumann, AANPCB Chair, said, "Kevin's experience as a nurse practitioner, educator, and administrator, along with his business background and knowledge of advanced practice certification will continue to promote excellence in certification for the protection of the public sector. He recently led the development and launch of AANPCB's newest program, the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner examination. His wealth of knowledge and experience will serve the organization and our certificants well."

"I am deeply honored to lead the AANPCB at this pivotal time," said Dr. Letz. "Together, we will strive to innovate and enhance our certification programs, support continuous professional development, and advocate for the recognition and growth of the nurse practitioner profession. Our focus will always be on improving the health and well-being of the communities' nurse practitioners serve here in the U.S. and other countries."

Also, effective October 14, 2024, retiring CEO, Diane Tyler, PhD, RN, FNP-C, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN will transition into a consultant role for exam development and accreditation until the end of the year. Dr. Schumann recognized her service by stating, "We appreciate the tremendous work that she has accomplished in her tenure as CEO and during the eight years she served as Director of Certification."

Based in Austin, TX, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board is an independent, non-profit certifying body whose purpose is to provide a valid and reliable program for the evaluation of individuals wishing to enter, continue, and/or advance in the NP profession through the certification process. Certifying more than 218,000 NPs across the U.S. and Canada, AANPCB's certification programs include the Family NP, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP, Psychiatric Mental Health NP, Emergency NP, Adult NP, and Gerontologic NP programs.