AANP vs. ANCC: Which NP Exam Should You Take?
Real Talk from a Certified Nurse Practitioner
By Wes Clayton, MSN, FNP-BC
Founder of Next-NP: The Affordable, All-in-One NP Board Review
If you're preparing to become a certified Nurse Practitioner...
One of the first big decisions you’ll face is choosing between the AANP and ANCC certification exams. Both are nationally recognized, accepted for NP licensure in all 50 states, and respected by employers—but they’re not interchangeable.
Each exam has a different format, focus, and even audience in mind. Picking the right one could make your exam prep smoother and better align with your career path.
🩺 What Do AANP and ANCC Have in Common?
Certify the same roles: Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NPs (AGPCNP)
Accepted in all 50 states for licensure
Respected by healthcare employers nationwide (preferences may vary)
Provide national certification required for advanced practice roles
So no — one exam doesn’t make you “more certified” than the other. The difference lies in format and content.
🔍 AANP: What You Should Know
Focus: 100% clinical content
Format: Multiple-choice questions only
Topics: Diagnosis, treatment plans, assessment, pharmacology, patient education
Scoring: Pass/Fail only (no numerical score)
✅ Best for:
Test-takers who want real-world clinical scenarios without academic theory
Nurses who prefer straightforward formats
Those with test anxiety or who dislike abstract content like policy and research
AANP is often chosen by hands-on, patient-focused nurses who learn best through clinical application.
📚 ANCC: What You Should Know
Focus: Clinical + non-clinical (policy, ethics, research, leadership)
Format: Multiple-choice plus advanced items (drag-and-drop, hot spot, multi-response)
Topics: Clinical management, theory, professional issues, evidence-based practice
Scoring: Scaled numerical score (200–500, with 350 as the passing mark)
✅ Best for:
Nurses with a strong academic background or interest in research/leadership
Those exploring educator or policy roles
Test-takers who want performance feedback with a numerical score
ANCC is ideal for NPs pursuing a broader, leadership-informed credentialing experience.
✅ AANP vs. ANCC – Key Differences (Simplified)
1. Focus
AANP: 100% clinical
ANCC: Clinical + non-clinical (policy, ethics, research)
2. Question Format
AANP: Multiple choice only
ANCC: Mixed formats (MCQ, drag-and-drop, hotspot, etc.)
3. Scoring
AANP: Pass/Fail
ANCC: Scaled score (200–500)
4. Topics Covered
AANP: Direct patient care, diagnosis, pharmacology
ANCC: Adds theory, policy, ethics, and leadership
5. Best For
AANP: NPs wanting a clinical, no-frills exam
ANCC: NPs interested in broader or leadership roles
💡 Which Exam Should You Choose?
Ask yourself:
Are you more clinically minded or academically inclined?
Do you want to stick to patient care, or open doors to teaching, leadership, or policy?
Do you prefer a straightforward format or a more diverse question style?
Are there employer or state preferences where you plan to practice?
🎯 Bottom Line
You really can’t go wrong with either exam. Both lead to national certification and full NP licensure.
But choosing the one that aligns with your strengths, comfort level, and career direction can make your certification journey smoother — and less stressful.
🧪 Need Help Studying?
Whether you’re going with AANP or ANCC, Next-NP has you covered with affordable, all-in-one board reviewresources tailored specifically to each exam.
From clinical deep dives to exam-style questions and flexible study plans, we’re here to help you pass the first time—without breaking the bank.
👉 Explore review bundles at Next-NP.com
Written by Wes Clayton, MSN, FNP-BC
Certified Family Nurse Practitioner | Founder of Next-NP