NP Exam Guide

How the AANP (NPCB) and ANCC certification exams work: blueprints, question counts, scoring, pass marks, retakes and which exam fits how you think.

Articles

Failed the NP Exam? Retake Rules for AANP and ANCC and a 6-Week Recovery PlanAfter failing the FNP or AGPCNP exam: NPCB and ANCC retake rules for 2026 (attempts, waits, fees, CE), how to …8 min read

How NP Certification Exams Are Scored: Scaled Scores, Pass Marks and What They MeanHow AANP (NPCB) and ANCC score NP exams: criterion-referenced pass marks, ANCC's 350 of 500 scale, unscored pr…7 min read

AGPCNP Exam Blueprint Explained: Domains, Question Counts and FocusAGPCNP blueprints for 2026 and 2027: NPCB's AGNP domain and age weights, the new January 2027 blueprint, and A…7 min read

FNP Exam Blueprint Explained: What the AANP and ANCC Actually TestThe 2026 FNP blueprints compared: NPCB's 135 scored items by domain and age group, ANCC's five domains from Oc…8 min read

AANP vs ANCC: Which NP Certification Exam Should You Take?AANP (NPCB) vs ANCC NP exams compared: question counts, time, 2026 fees, blueprint style, retake rules and cre…7 min read