ATT: How long for AANP and ANCC?

aprnKate · Oct 3, 2014

Hey anh06005,

I applied to AANP 4 months before graduation and I sent them an up to date official transcript and got the pre-approval to test 3 weeks later (they notified me by email). They notified me that they will be sending me an approval to test (ATT) w/ the registration ID by mail one week before graduation/degree conferred. I graduated August 11, 2014 and I got my ATT w/ the registration ID to schedule my exam on August 5, 2014. So I was able to schedule my exam on August 5. My FINAL official transcripts were not released until August 20ish but you are able to take your exam before your final official transcripts are released and you completed your application for exam and got an approval. Once AANP receives your final official transcript they can release your scores. I did not take my exam till about one month later and my official transcript was with AANP already. I think you will still know that you pass the exam on the same day you take it however, your scores won't be released to the board of nursing until official transcripts are received.

After you take your exam, it takes about 1 week to process your score from the testing center to AANP and you just need to check your AANPCP account for your printable wallet card with your certification number and expiration date. 2 weeks after you take your exam you will receive a wall certificate and a laminated wallet card from AANP as well as a letter on your strength and weakness were on the exam along with your score. I just received my wall certificate a couple days ago. I found that AANP process was pretty quick and organized...keep in mind that they won't mail all this stuff to you until they receive your final official transcript.

I don't know what to tell you about ANCC FNP exam because I did not register or take it, except from what my classmates had told me about it. Two of my classmates who graduated with me decided to take the ANCC exam had applied in advance just like I did however, they told me that ANCC did not give them approval to test until they received everything...final official transcript and when ANCC received the final official transcript it took them 3-4 weeks to process and then they got their ATT. So my classmates were not able to sign up for a test schedule until end of September/October granted that there were seats left in the testing center.

So in essence

AANP = you do not have to have final official transcript to schedule test and take it.

ANCC = you need to have final transcript to schedule test

I didn't want to sit around and wait so I took AANP and I was pleased with the time frame they processed everything and their customer service when I called I didn't not have to wait long.

hope this helps

anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP · Oct 3, 2014

Thanks! I don't plan on taking ANCC but I figure asking about it too might help others who stalk these boards as much as I have!

Your experience with the AANP is what I have read the most so just glad to hear again!

aprnKate · Oct 4, 2014

Also, I wanted to tell you that as of 2017 AANP will change their recertification criteria. instead of 75 hours of CEU. They will change it 100 hours. They are adding 25 hours of pharmacology hours and they are also giving us the option of using precepting students as contact hours; 120 precepting hours = 25 contact hours.

anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP · Oct 4, 2014

I hadn't heard of those changes yet and I downloaded their handbook just a few weeks ago to keep for reference. Nice to know!

Thanks for the update!

Sha-Sha RN · Oct 4, 2014

I took the ANCC exam and you can send them a transcript without your degree posted that shows all of your courses completed. I sent it this way and I got my ATT 1 week later, way before my degree posted to my transcript.

hunnybaby24, BSN, APRN, NP · Nov 15, 2014

so it really doesn't matter between the two tests when you get to take the exam as long as your school figures out what to do with you