ANCC new exam and format starting May 2019 Why are they changing this, I cant find any answers?

Trauma Columnist · Feb 19, 2019

I moved this to the student NP forum for more current answers....

seanpdent, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP · Feb 20, 2019

I'm curious. Why does/should it matter if the test is changing?

LadyT618, MSN, APRN, NP · Feb 20, 2019

I'm curious...have you been a practicing FNP for the past 3 years in a state that doesn't require the exam? Or did you graduate 3 years ago and haven't been able to pass the exam yet?

crazyarin · Feb 25, 2019

At LadyT618, I have been practicing for over 3 years now, and have attempted the test a few times now without any luck. State of California does not require national cert to practice. And honestly I do not think the national cert makes any NP better or worst, because the tests are so subjective that no matter how much you study or do practice questions is never really gonna matter. As an NP it is what you learn, and what you do with your resources and know when to know what you dont know in practice. I have come really close to passing but miss it by probably half dozen of less questions. The only reason I am trying to take it is because Medicare demands national cert for NPs to bill for direct patient care. Medicare if forcing its own state regulations onto NPs that are in states that do not require national cert. Hope that helps. Sorry basically I failed the ANCC again. I think the AANP format will work best for me since I am practicing NP and not going the route of teaching or research.

Sorry, it gets a little frustrating with all the costs associated with the tests and constant prepping for it and I would really love to move on without worrying about these darn cert tests. Its like they try to not want NPs to practice. I have worked with palliative pain management to internal medicine to urgent care to pediatrics etc.

crazyarin · Feb 25, 2019

At Seanpdent, only reason I asked the question, is because they are totally over hauling the ANCC test. Less questions and more of a AANP format is why it bothered me thats all. Im assuming and from asking fellow NPs and seeing it in practice, way more people take the AANP than do the ANCC.

FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP · Feb 25, 2019

2 hours ago, crazyarin said:
At LadyT618, I have been practicing for over 3 years now, and have attempted the test a few times now without any luck. State of California does not require national cert to practice. And honestly I do not think the national cert makes any NP better or worst, because the tests are so subjective that no matter how much you study or do practice questions is never really gonna matter. As an NP it is what you learn, and what you do with your resources and know when to know what you dont know in practice. I have come really close to passing but miss it by probably half dozen of less questions. The only reason I am trying to take it is because Medicare demands national cert for NPs to bill for direct patient care. Medicare if forcing its own state regulations onto NPs that are in states that do not require national cert. Hope that helps. Sorry basically I failed the ANCC again. I think the AANP format will work best for me since I am practicing NP and not going the route of teaching or research.

Sorry, it gets a little frustrating with all the costs associated with the tests and constant prepping for it and I would really love to move on without worrying about these darn cert tests. Its like they try to not want NPs to practice. I have worked with palliative pain management to internal medicine to urgent care to pediatrics etc.

There is an option in California to obtain an NP license if an MD certifies you as being capable of NP practice. However, if a person does not get this, then they must pass either the AANP or ANCC exam. Some employers also require national certification. In addition, prospective NPs must be credentialed and depending on the specialty, credentialing may require national certification.

Very few NPs can expect to obtain MD certification b/c that would require an MD that is very familiar with one's work.

FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP · Feb 25, 2019

Just now, FullGlass said:
There is an option in California to obtain an NP license if an MD certifies you as being capable of NP practice. However, if a person does not get this, then they must pass either the AANP or ANCC exam. Some employers also require national certification. In addition, prospective NPs must be credentialed and depending on the specialty, credentialing may require national certification.
Very few NPs can expect to obtain MD certification b/c that would require an MD that is very familiar with one's work.
In addition, there is nothing subjective about the NP tests. They are very straight-forward. Honestly, I am very concerned about any practicing NP that cannot pass these tests and do not think a prospective NP should obtain a license w/o passing one of these tests.

crazyarin · Feb 26, 2019

18 hours ago, FullGlass said:
There is an option in California to obtain an NP license if an MD certifies you as being capable of NP practice. However, if a person does not get this, then they must pass either the AANP or ANCC exam. Some employers also require national certification. In addition, prospective NPs must be credentialed and depending on the specialty, credentialing may require national certification.
Very few NPs can expect to obtain MD certification b/c that would require an MD that is very familiar with one's work.

Hi Fullglass, where and how do I find out information regarding getting an MD certification?

crazyarin · Feb 26, 2019

18 hours ago, FullGlass said:

Fullglass please do not mix up state licensing and national certifications! National certification is completely different that state license to practice. Please do not mix those up because those are two completely different things. I just saw your second post and had to respond to it. In California, once you complete a properly accredited NP program which involves rigorous NP rotations with MDs, then you are licensed in the state to practice. But the national certification is optional!

"In addition, there is nothing subjective about the NP tests. They are very straight-forward. Honestly, I am very concerned about any practicing NPthat cannot pass these tests and do not think a prospective NP should obtain a license w/o passing one of these tests."

srod79 · Mar 25, 2019

I know several people in your situation but worse since they went to school years ago for the NP when you only needed an associates degree and now need to be nationally certified to bill Medicaid. If you are MSN then you are way ahead of them. I was told that both the AANP and the ANCC change their test periodically. The practice test that each of them have are from old test. The AANP is more recognized among NPs because people say “oh this test is clinical based, so more related to practice than the ANCC”. So some people feel it will be more relative and therefore easier to pass. I thought the same thing. I took both. Failed the AANP and passed the ANCC. So the biggest thing I think for me was study. I took the Leon review course but what really helped me was reading through the Fitzgerald review book front to back and using Amie Hollister and board vitals study question bank. Believe in yourself. Do mock sittings. Fitzgerald has practice test 150 questions, time yourself, take a break, act as if you are in the testing center. This helped me. I took a break during the test to reset got some water, washed my face, did some jumping jacks, ate a piece of protein bar, popped a Piece of mint in my mouth and went back at it. I live in California myself and I was told to take my exam due to the federal government laws changing. I think this is going to change a lot of things in CA and other states that don’t require the boards, it is pretty much mandatory. I hope this helps. Just keep your head up.