{"id":45052,"date":"2025-04-25T13:20:02","date_gmt":"2025-04-25T13:20:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/?p=45052"},"modified":"2025-04-25T21:21:14","modified_gmt":"2025-04-25T21:21:14","slug":"how-to-become-nurse-practitioner-np","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/nursing\/how-to-become-nurse-practitioner-np\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) can significantly increase an RN\u2019s career opportunities and earning potential. Nurse practitioners have many responsibilities similar to doctors and hold graduate or doctorate-level nursing degrees. How long it takes to become a nurse practitioner can vary, depending on your program, class schedule, and education level. If you\u2019re interested in becoming an NP, you\u2019ll want to understand the requirements and career options ahead of you. In this guide, we\u2019ll explain how to become a nurse practitioner and earn NP certification and licensure.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<div  style='background:#f9f9f9;color:#000000;border-color:#bcbcbc;' class='av_promobox  0 avia-button-yes   avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_heading  avia-builder-el-first '>\t\t<div class='avia-promocontent'><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#ab0c78\"><strong>FREE TRIAL<\/strong><\/h4>\n<h3 class=\"has-col-240-f-6-e-color has-text-color\">FNP Certification Exam Prep Course<\/h3>\n<p>Preview our new on-demand FNP Review Course for free.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/div><div  class='avia-button-wrap avia-button-right ' ><a href='https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/nurse-practitioner\/free-trial' class='avia-button  avia-color-theme-color   avia-icon_select-no avia-size-large avia-position-right ' target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class='avia_iconbox_title' >Sign Up<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2>NP Job Description: What does a nurse practitioner do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Nurse practitioners are licensed healthcare professionals with advanced clinical training who provide primary and specialty care to patients. NP\u2019s can specialize by patient population and\/or clinical issues, such as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Cardiology Nurse Practitioner. NPs provide a wide range of healthcare services, including: ordering tests, diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medications, and more. Nurse practitioners place a holistic focus on the health and well-being of their patients and help lower medical expenses by educating patients on health and lifestyle choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Nurse Practitioner (NP) Certification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Earning a Nurse Practitioner (NP) certification is required to become a nurse practitioner. This step happens after completing your rigorous NP education. The national Nurse Practitioner (NP) certification is offered by an NP Certification Board, such as the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nursingworld.org\/ancc\/\" target=\"_blank\">American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)<\/a> or the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aanp.org\/student-resources-old\/np-certification\" target=\"_blank\">American Association of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)<\/a>. Which certifying board you use depends on your specialization. In order to receive your NP certification, you must successfully pass a national NP board certification exam.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>[ RELATED: <\/strong><a href=\"#fnp-certification\">Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Certification<\/a>&nbsp;<strong>]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-1  el_after_av_promobox  el_before_av_heading  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >NP Degree Requirement<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>To become a nurse practitioner, you\u2019ll have to earn a master\u2019s or doctoral degree in nursing in addition to your RN. The two most popular graduate degrees for nurse practitioners are an MSN and a DPN:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>MSN &#8211; <\/strong>The most common degree for nurse practitioners is the Master\u2019s of Science in Nursing, or MSN. Most MSN students also have an undergraduate BSN degree. MSN coursework covers advanced topics in the clinical practice of nursing. An MSN program typically takes two years to complete or less depending on the program.<br><\/li><li><strong>DNP<\/strong> &#8211; A DNP, or Doctor of Nursing Practice, is a doctorate-level degree that focuses on nursing practice. In addition to coursework covered in an MSN program, a DNP program takes it a step further by preparing nurses for leadership positions. It can take two to four years to complete a DNP program.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_heading  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >NP License Requirements<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Licensing requirements for nurse practitioners vary by state, so it\u2019s important to check your local requirements before getting started. In general, the requirements to earn Nurse Practitioner licensure include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Completing an accredited NP program<\/li><li>Obtaining national NP certification&nbsp;<\/li><li>Gaining experience in an NP specialty (if required)<\/li><li>Gathering documentation for state licensing<\/li><li>Submitting online application for state licensing and sending in documentation&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you have completed these steps and submitted your application, it will take anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks to process your NP license, depending on your state board of nursing.<\/p>\n\n\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_iconlist  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Passing the NP Exam<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Passing the NP exam in your specialty area is a huge achievement. Here are some quick tips to help you pass the NP exam:<\/p>\n\n\n<div  class='avia-icon-list-container   avia-builder-el-4  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_heading '><ul class='avia-icon-list avia-icon-list-left av-iconlist-big avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-iconlist-animate'><li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue84b' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >NP Exam Tip #1<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>Create a study plan specific to your NP certification exam. Invest in study resources and other types of review materials, such as books and flashcards, to enhance your test prep.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li><br><li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue836' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >NP Exam Tip #2<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>Take full-length practice tests to get familiar with the exam format and question types. Use the results of your NP exam practice tests to identify your areas of strength and weakness and adjust your study plan accordingly.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li><br><li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue80b' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >NP Exam Tip #3<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>Create a study group in-person or online to strengthen your understanding of the material and receive support and motivation for studying.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li><br><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"fnp-certification\">Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Certification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The family nurse practitioner certification is one of the specialty NP certifications you can earn. Family nurse practitioners provide primary and specialty healthcare services for patients of all ages, sometimes working with the same patients for years. In order to become a board-certified FNP, you must pass the FNP certification exam, thereby becoming FNP-BC (Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified) or FNP-C (Family Nurse Practitioner-Certified). You can earn the FNP credential from ANCC or AANPCB.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>[ LEARN MORE:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/study\/nursing\/what-is-family-nurse-practitioner-fnp\/\">What is a Family Nurse Practitioner?<\/a> <strong>]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_iconlist  el_before_av_heading  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >FNP Degree Requirement<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Like all types of nurse practitioners, FNPs must earn a master\u2019s degree in nursing or higher. Some graduate programs will offer a concentration specifically created for family nurse practitioners which takes between 1 and 3 years to complete. Otherwise, aspiring family nurse practitioners must complete an FNP post-graduate certificate program to qualify for FNP licensure.<\/p>\n\n\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-6  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_heading  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >FNP License Requirements<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The FNP license requirements are almost identical to the NP license requirements discussed above but, ultimately, vary by state. To become a family nurse practitioner, you must complete all the NP license requirements listed above, with the additional steps of completing an FNP post-graduate certificate program and passing the FNP certification exam.<\/p>\n\n\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_sidebar  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Passing the FNP Exam<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aanpcert.org\/resource\/documents\/AANPCB%202022%20Statistics.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">AANPCB Statistics,<\/a> the pass rate for the FNP exam in 2022 was 74%, which is a 10% decrease from the previous year. Because of the lower pass rates, it\u2019s more important than ever that you adequately prepare for the NP exam, as you have to wait 60 days to retest and can only test three times in 12 months. Once you have successfully passed the FNP exam, you are awarded FNP certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Career Options: NP vs FNP<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no shortage of career options for NPs and FNPs. The major difference between an FNP and other NP specialties is that FNPs have more flexibility since they can treat patients of all ages. This provides FNPs a wider range of job opportunities than other NP specialties. Some common career options for FNPs include:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Inpatient care<\/li><li>Nursing homes<\/li><li>Home health<\/li><li>Urgent care<\/li><li>Nurse educator<\/li><li>Private practice<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2>Job Outlook: NP vs FNP<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Nurse practitioners are in high demand, so both primary care NPs and FNPs have a positive job outlook. In fact, the nurse practitioner field is one of the fastest-growing professions in healthcare, with a 38% employment increase projected between 2022 and 2032, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/healthcare\/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.<\/a> NPs and FNPs are filling a critical role in the U.S. healthcare system, providing a wide range of healthcare services during a time when there is a shortage of physicians and a growing need for specialized healthcare. Nurse practitioners have a low unemployment rate and report a high-level of job satisfaction, ranking #1 on <a href=\"https:\/\/money.usnews.com\/careers\/best-jobs\/nurse-practitioner\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">U.S. News and World Report<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/money.usnews.com\/careers\/best-jobs\/rankings\/best-healthcare-jobs\">\u2019s<\/a> list of Best Healthcare Jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>How much does a nurse practitioner make?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The average salary for nurse practitioners in the U.S. was $124,680 in 2022, according to the&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/oes\/current\/oes291171.htm\" target=\"_blank\">U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a>; however, there are many factors to consider. NP salaries depend on your specialty, location, experience, education, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>[ READ NEXT:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/study\/nursing\/nurse-practitioner-salaries-by-specialty\/\">Average Nurse Practitioner Salaries by State &amp; Specialty<\/a> <strong>]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div  class='avia-builder-widget-area clearfix  avia-builder-el-8  el_after_av_heading  avia-builder-el-last '><div id=\"custom_html-78\" class=\"widget_text widget clearfix widget_custom_html\"><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><div><div class='op-interactive' id='657797165f303d5cec730c08' data-title='NP Specialty Quiz' data-url='https:\/\/kaplannorthamerica.outgrow.us\/657797165f303d5cec730c08?vHeight=1' data-width='100%'><\/div><script>var og_temp=document.createElement('script');og_temp.async=true;og_temp.defer=true;og_temp.src='\/\/dyv6f9ner1ir9.cloudfront.net\/assets\/js\/nloader.js',og_temp.onload=function(){initIframe('657797165f303d5cec730c08')},document.querySelector('head').appendChild(og_temp)<\/script><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) can significantly increase an RN\u2019s career opportunities and earning potential. Nurse practitioners have many responsibilities similar to doctors and hold graduate or doctorate-level nursing degrees. How long it takes to become a nurse practitioner can vary, depending on your program, class schedule, and education level. If you\u2019re interested in becoming [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":45055,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1222],"tags":[1225,1223,126],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45052"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45052"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45052\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":48323,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45052\/revisions\/48323"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45055"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45052"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45052"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45052"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}