ANCC Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Certification Exam Update, Effective November 1, 2020
ANCC Statement, Effective November 1, 2020: the exam will allow 3.5 hours to answer 175 questions (150 scored plus 25 pretest questions that are not scored). The test content outline for the AGACNP certification exam will be updated. Please access the appropriate Test Content Outlines below. There will be a 3-business day test suspension period to allow for the exams to be updated. You may test before October 28, 2020 or after October 31, 2020.
Source: https://www.nursingworld.org/our-certifications/adult-gerontology-acute-care-nurse-practitioner/
Fitzgerald Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Certification Exam Review & changes to the ANCC exam
The ANCC exam is now similar to the AACN exam. The ANCC exam now focuses more on the "clinical" aspect of care. The good news is that the current Fitzgerald Review continues to prepare candidates for both the AACN and ANCC certification exams equally. The structure of the ANCC exam has only changed to a minor degree and the content (while likely including new questions) is very similar, if not the same.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Certification and Licensure Information |
|
American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)
No changes |
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Retired October 31, 2020 |
NEW: American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Effective November 1, 2020 |
| Testing Domains |
Clinical judgment – 79%
Professional caring and ethical practice – 21% |
APRN core competencies –16%
Clinical practice – 46%
Role/professional responsibility – 33%
Health care systems – 5% |
APRN core competencies –23%
Clinical practice – 45%
Role/professional responsibility – 32% |
Source: https://www.nursingworld.org/our-certifications/adult-gerontology-acute-care-nurse-practitioner/;
https://www.aacn.org/~/media/aacn-website/certification/get-certified/handbooks/acnpcagexamhandbook.pdf
Comparison of Certification Exams: AACN vs. ANCC |
|
American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)
No changes |
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Retired October 31, 2020 |
NEW: American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Effective November 1, 2020 |
| Length of Test |
175 questions (includes 150 scored questions and 25 sample questions),
3.5-hour time frame |
200 questions (including 25 pretest questions),
4-hour time frame |
175 questions (including 25 pretest questions),
3.5-hour time frame |
Source: https://www.aacn.org/~/media/aacn-website/certification/get-certified/handbooks/acnpcagexamhandbook.pdf;
https://www.nursingworld.org/our-certifications/adult-gerontology-acute-care-nurse-practitioner/;
https://www.aacn.org/~/media/aacn-website/certification/get-certified/handbooks/certpolicyhndbk.pdf
Always check for the most recent online certification testing information from AACN or ANCC, as this is subject to change.