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Best advanced registered nurse practitioner certifications

Advanced registered nurse practitioner certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an advanced registered nurse practitioner to employers. However, not all advanced registered nurse practitioner certifications provide the same value for job seekers.

The best certifications for an advanced registered nurse practitioner are Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Experienced Provider (EP) (ACLS), Family Nurse Practitioner, and Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP-BC).

Below is a list of the best advanced registered nurse practitioner certifications. Obtaining an advanced registered nurse practitioner certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.

11 best advanced registered nurse practitioner certifications

1. Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Experienced Provider (EP) (ACLS)

9-10 hours of coursework

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? No
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)

2. Family Nurse Practitioner

The ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner board certification examination is a competency based examination that provides a valid and reliable assessment of the entry-level clinical knowledge and skills of nurse practitioners. This certification aligns with the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification and Education. Once you complete eligibility requirements to take the certification examination and successfully pass the exam, you are awarded the credential: Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (FNP-BC).

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
Certifying website
Family Nurse Practitioner
Certifying organization
ANA Enterprise

3. Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP-BC)

Eligibility Criteria Hold a current, active RN license in a state or territory of the United States or hold the professional, legally recognized equivalent in another country. International Applicants: Learn about additional requirements for candidates outside the US. Hold a master's, postgraduate, or doctoral degree* from an adult nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) (formerly NLNAC | National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission). A minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours must be included in the adult nurse practitioner role and population. Three separate, comprehensive graduate-level courses in: -Advanced physiology/pathophysiology, including general principles that apply across the life span -Advanced health assessment, which includes assessment of all human systems, advanced assessment techniques, concepts, and approaches -Advanced pharmacology, which includes pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacotherapeutics of all broad categories of agents Content in: -Health promotion and/or maintenance -Differential diagnosis and disease management

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
Certifying organization
ANA Enterprise

4. Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

14 hours of coursework

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
Certifying organization
American Heart Association

5. Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

The FNP certification examination is an entry-level competency-based examination that tests clinical knowledge in family/individual care.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
Certifying website
Family Nurse Practitioner
Certifying organization
American Association of Nurse...

6. Adult, Pediatric and Neonatal Critical Care Nurses (CCRN)

CCRN specialty certification was introduced in 1976 for nurses providing care to acutely and/or critically ill adult, pediatric and neonatal patients. Nurses interested in this certification may work in specialty areas such as intensive care units, cardiac care units, combined ICU/CCUs, medical/surgical ICUs, trauma units or critical care transport/flight.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)

7. Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

The ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner board certification examination is a competency based examination that provides a valid and reliable assessment of the entry-level clinical knowledge and skills of nurse practitioners. This certification aligns with the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification and Education. Once you complete eligibility requirements to take the certification examination and successfully pass the exam, you are awarded the credential: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (PMHNP-BC).

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
Certifying organization
ANA Enterprise

8. Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP-BC)

Eligibility Criteria: Hold a current, active RN license in a state or territory of the United States or hold the professional, legally recognized equivalent in another country. Hold a master's, postgraduate, or doctoral degree from an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) (formerly NLNAC | National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission). A minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours must be included in the adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner role and population. Three separate, comprehensive graduate-level courses in: -Advanced physiology/pathophysiology, including general principles that apply across the life span -Advanced health assessment, which includes assessment of all human systems, advanced assessment techniques, concepts, and approaches -Advanced pharmacology, which includes pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacotherapeutics of all broad categories of agents | Content in: -Health promotion and/or maintenance -Differential diagnosis and disease management, including the use and prescription of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
Certifying organization
ANA Enterprise

9. Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 8 year(s)
Certifying website
Certified Nurse Midwife
Certifying organization
American College of Nurse...

10. Certified Nurse Technician (CNT)

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? No
Certifying organization
National Healthcareer Association

11. Pediatric Nursing (RN-BC)

The ANCC Pediatric Nursing board certification examination is a competency based examination that provides a valid and reliable assessment of the entry-level clinical knowledge and skills of registered nurses in the pediatric specialty after initial RN licensure. Once you complete eligibility requirements to take the certification examination and successfully pass the exam, you are awarded the credential: Registered Nurse-Board Certified (RN-BC).

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
Certifying website
Pediatric Nursing
Certifying organization
ANA Enterprise

What is the best certification for an advanced registered nurse practitioner?

The best advanced registered nurse practitioner certification is Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Experienced Provider (EP) (ACLS). The Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Experienced Provider (EP) (ACLS) is awarded by the American Heart Association. This certification corresponds to a specialty within a recognized occupation.

Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this advanced registered nurse practitioner certification:

  • To become a certified Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Experienced Provider (EP) (ACLS), you don't need to pass the exam.
  • Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
  • Renew certification every 2 year.

What are some of the most in-demand certifications for advanced registered nurse practitioners?

The most in-demand advanced registered nurse practitioner certification is Family Nurse Practitioner based on all active job postings. Having this advanced registered nurse practitioner certification will give you access to more advanced registered nurse practitioner jobs with higher salaries.

What certifications can impact an advanced registered nurse practitioner career and salary?

The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification will help you to secure an advanced practice registered nurse position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. An advanced practice registered nurse's average salary is $82,379 whereas advanced registered nurse practitioners make an average salary of $97,820.

Best certifications

The most common combination of advanced registered nurse practitioner certifications include: Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Experienced Provider (EP) (ACLS), Family Nurse Practitioner, and Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP-BC).

Online courses for advanced registered nurse practitioners to earn certifications

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