NPCB Frequently Asked Questions

From the NPCB homepage, click SIGN IN and select Join NPCB to create your Online Profile. Once registered, you can begin your initial or renewal application and track your application status.

If you have an NPCB account and forgot your username or password, click “Forgot your username/password?” on the Sign In page. Enter the email address you used for your account. We will send you either your username or a link to reset your password.

Pro Tip: If you no longer have access to the email address you registered with, you will need to create a new account.

Still need help? Email our Customer Support team at certification@aanpcert.org.

Log in to your NPCB account and make updates directly in your My Online Profile section. If you need assistance, email certification@aanpcert.org

Log in to your NPCB account and make updates directly on your Dashboard. If you need assistance, email certification@aanpcert.org.

Yes. Email certification@aanpcert.org within 30 days of submitting your application. Include your membership number and expiration date. We will verify and apply the discount if eligible.

Once you sign in to your NPCB online profile, select “Online Profile” under “Other Account & Records” section to view or update your membership number. Membership information is typically entered during profile creation but can be updated at any time. If the membership information expires or is invalid, the system will display it as invalid.

Yes. MSN and post-graduate certificate candidates may begin their certification application up to 6 months before program completion. DNP students may apply 1 year in advance. This allows time to submit all required documents and complete the review process early. Eligibility to test requirements will only be granted once all program requirements are met and verified through a transcript.

You may apply after completing all didactic and clinical course requirements for your NP program. NPCB does not require candidates to wait for a degree conferral to apply or test. You may test with an unofficial transcript. However, certification will not be released until NPCB receives your final, official transcript with the degree conferral date.

When completing your online application, you are required to enter the following:

• Program Completion Date: The date all courses and clinical hours in the NP Track are completed.
• Degree Conferred Date: The date you will be awarded your graduate degree or post-graduate certificate.

This information is used to verify that you have met all educational and clinical experience requirements.

Yes. You must hold a current, active U.S. RN license at the time of application and maintain it throughout your certification period.

No. NPCB does not require a VOE or verification form. Instead, applicants attest the information they provide is accurate and truthful when submitting their application. Candidates must ensure all program requirements are complete prior to submission. Additional information may be requested during an audit.

Upload an unofficial transcript showing completion of coursework and a copy of your professional nursing license. Your name, school name, and program details must be visible on the transcript. An official final transcript is required later to release certification. Additional supporting documents may be requested in rare cases.

Upload your unofficial transcript and RN license copy during the application submission process. If additional documentation is needed after submission, your application will be placed on hold, and a notification will be added to your online profile with instructions on where to upload the required document(s). Please do not email transcripts or other supporting documents unless specifically requested.

Name your documents clearly using this format for quicker processing:

Last Name, First Name – Document Type
Example: Smith, Sarah – Unofficial Transcript

AANPCB accepts unofficial transcripts for review and testing eligibility. The official final transcript must be sent directly from your school before certification can be released.

Candidates should review the ENP Candidate Handbook on our website for full details.

The standard application fee is posted on the NPCB home page. Members of AANP or AAENP (for the ENP exam only) are eligible for a $75 discount. Please enter your membership ID during the online application or email your membership information within 30 days of applying to receive the discount.

Log in to your NPCB account to view your application status. Check for a personalized note we may leave in your file under “Other Account & Records” section. Status definitions include:

• New Application – Application has not been reviewed.
• Hold for Infor – Missing required information. Check the Notes section in your file.
• Professional Review – Application is under review by our Nurse Practitioner Team.
• Approved – You will be authorized to test based on your stated program completion date.
• Denied – Application was denied as you did not meet eligibility requirements. A partial refund, minus a processing fee, will be issued.
• Abandoned – You tested, but the application was later closed (e.g., missing documents or no response).
• Expired Application – Application closed due to lack of response after multiple NPCB contacts.
• Expired Approval – You were approved but did not test within your eligibility window. No refund will be issued.

You will receive an Eligibility to Test email from NPCB that provides instructions and a link to schedule your exam with Prometric. Check your inbox and spam/junk folders for this message from certification@aanpcert.org.

Withdrawal requests must be submitted by email to certification@aanpcert.org. A partial refund, minus a $120 processing fee, is available only if an examination appointment has not been scheduled, and the 120-day testing window has not expired. Candidates who have scheduled an examination, canceled within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment, failed to appear for an examination, or whose testing window has expired are not eligible for a refund.

Yes. Email your membership information to certification@aanpcert.org within 30 days of applying to receive the $75 discount.

Denied applications will receive a partial refund minus a processing fee. The denial reason will be documented in your file notes, and a notification letter will be emailed to you. Review the NPCB Policies section in the Candidate Handbook, if you wish to appeal your denied application.

NPCB allows a one-time eligibility reset for candidates who miss their exam or let their eligibility window expire. The reset request must be submitted after the exam is missed, or eligibility has expired, and within one year of your original application submission date. A $75 non-refundable processing fee applies. Approval is not guaranteed and is at NPCB’s discretion. If your request is denied or you miss the reset deadline, you must submit a new application and pay the fee.

You may apply to retest by submitting a re-exam application online. The FNP exam allows up to 3 exam attempts per calendar year. Other exams currently allow 2 attempts per calendar year. Retest applications are reviewed similarly to new applications. More details will be provided in the score report letter NPCB will email you within 3–5 business days after testing.

You may apply to retest by submitting a re-exam application online. The FNP exam allows up to 3 exam attempts per calendar year beginning in January 2026. Other exams currently allow 2 attempts per calendar year. Retest applications are reviewed similarly to new applications. Candidates must submit a minimum of 15 continuing education hours. More details will be provided in the score report letter NPCB will email you within 3-5 business days after testing.

Renewal assures the public and employers that NPCB-certified NPs have maintained current knowledge and professional competency. It reflects your commitment to meeting professional standards and continuing education.

You may submit your renewal application up to 1 year before your certification expires. Early renewal is strongly encouraged to ensure your certification remains active without interruption. More information is available in the Renewal Candidate Handbooks.

To renew your certification:

• Complete a minimum of 100 contact hours of continuing education (CE), including at least 25 pharmacology hours.
• Complete a minimum of 1,000 practice hours in your NP role during your current 5-year certification period.
• Maintain a current, active U.S. professional nursing license.

You may also choose to renew by exam, unless your certification is for ANP or GNP. These exams have been retired and are no longer available.

From the NPCB homepage, click Renew and sign in. From your dashboard, select “Renew Your Certification” under “Other Accounts & Records” section to begin the renewal application.

As part of the renewal application process, candidates attest that they have met all renewal requirements at the time of application submission. Supporting documentation is not required unless the application is selected for audit. If selected, NPCB staff will notify the candidate and provide instructions on how to submit the required documentation.

Most complete applications are processed within 3–5 business days. Incomplete or incorrect submissions will delay processing.

CE must:

• Be relevant to your NP population focus and role.
• Be provided by an accredited organization (e.g., AANP, ANCC, or other approved providers).
• Include at least 25 pharmacology hours.
  Refer to the Candidate Handbook for a list of acceptable CE sources.

Is the:

• Content relevant to the NP role and area of certification specialty?
• Intended audience NPs, PAs, physicians, or other health professionals?
• CE program accredited?
• CE completed within the 5-year period of certification?

Yes. Academic courses completed during your 5-year certification period may count if relevant to NP practice. One semester credit = 15 CE hours. Submit a university transcript showing course completion if requested.

Practice hours must be completed in your NP role and within your current 5-year certification cycle. You will attest to meeting this requirement during your application. See the Renewal Handbooks for more information.

Yes. Precepting advanced practice students while providing direct patient care as an NP qualifies for renewal. You may count up to 120 precepted hours, which can be applied toward a maximum of 25 non-pharmacology CE hours.

Precepting is the supervision of advanced practice students during the provision of direct patient care in your NP role and population focus. This includes students from NP, PA, medical, dental, and pharmacy programs.

Use the Preceptorship Conversion Table available in the Renewal Handbooks. Preceptorship hours must be completed within your current 5-year certification period. Documentation may be requested if selected for audit.

All verification requests must be submitted online under the Verify tab on our website. Options available include:

• Verification for State Boards of Nursing – for candidate use to request verification be sent to an SBON.
• Primary Source Verification for Employers or Credentialing Organizations
• Online Replacement Request – for candidate use to order a certificate packet.
• Verification Information for the General Public

Employers and credentialing organizations must submit a Primary Source Verification request through the Verify tab on our website.

Verifications include confirmation of certification status, certification number, population foci, and expiration date. NPCB does not disclose exam scores or pass/fail status to employers or SBONs.

The processing fee is $40 USD per verification. All orders are final and non-refundable.

Yes. Candidates may request verification to be sent to an SBON by selecting Verification for State Boards of Nursing under the Verify tab and following the instructions.

No. NPCB does not charge a fee for verifications sent to SBONs.

No. NPCB only sends verification upon request. Exam results are never shared with employers or SBONs—only certification status is provided.

No. However, basic certification information can be accessed through the Verification Information for the General Public section under the Verify tab.

NPCB certification exams are administered by Prometric at testing centers worldwide. Candidates may only schedule an exam after receiving an Authorization to Test (ATT) email from NPCB.

Certification examinations are administered in a computer-based format at Prometric testing centers globally. If you are deployed or unable to locate a test center near you, email us at certification@aanpcert.org to discuss alternate testing site options.

Once you are eligible to test, log into your NPCB online account and select Schedule an Exam from your dashboard to be directed to Prometric’s scheduling system.

Follow the instructions in your ATT email to schedule your exam. Online registration is available 24/7. You will need to:

• Click Schedule an Exam in your NPCB account
• Enter your eligibility ID and the first 4 letters of your last name on Prometric’s site
• Select a testing location and available test date

Pro Tip: If you are requesting accommodation, do not schedule your exam yet. See below for details.

All special accommodation requests must be submitted online through Prometric:
Visit https://www.prometric.com/test-takers/arrange-testing-accommodations
Complete the online form and upload the required documentation.

Important:

• Wait until you receive your Eligibility to Test email from NPCB before submitting a request, Prometric cannot process accommodation requests unless your eligibility file has been shared with them. Check your inbox and spam/junk folders for this message from certification@aanpcert.org.
• Do not schedule your exam until your accommodation request has been reviewed and approved.
• If approved, the accommodation is valid for one year.

For questions, contact Prometric’s Accommodations team at (800) 967-1139.

Yes. All Prometric testing centers are equipped to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and accommodations will be provided to meet qualified candidates’ needs.

og into your NPCB account and click Schedule an Exam, select your current exam appointment to access the reschedule/cancel options. If you have any issues, contact Prometric at 1-800-742-8738.

Effective July 1, 2025:

• 30 or more days before the test date: No fee
• 5–29 days before the test date: $50 fee (collected by Prometric)
• Less than 5 days, missed appointments, or late arrivals (over 30 minutes): Full test delivery fee applies

Candidates must wait until they receive their eligibility to test email from NPCB before submitting any accommodation requests to Prometric. Submitting early may delay the process, as Prometric cannot match the request to an active candidate file.

Once your initial certification has been released, NPCB will mail a wall certificate to the address listed in your online account within 3 weeks. Log into your NPCB online account and go to the “Exam & Renewal Documents” section of your dashboard to access available score letters and renewal documents. Wallet cards and wall certificates can be accessed under “Wallet Cards & Wall Certificates”.

If you do not pass the exam, your score letter will be uploaded to your NPCB Online Account under the “Exam & Renewal Documents” section of your dashboard within 3–5 business days and emailed to you. NPCB does not report exam failures to State Boards of Nursing (SBON), even if one was selected during the application. Only certification status is shared with SBONs.

Log in to your NPCB Online Account and go to the “Wallet Cards & Wall Certificates” section to view or print your card.

Visit the Verify tab on our website and select Online Replacement Request. Follow the instructions provided to place your order and submit payment.

You can update your name directly in your “Online Profile” under “Other Account & Records” section of your dashboard. Once your information is updated, you may request a wall certificate with your new name.