Preparing for Certification & Licensure
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Throughout Your Program:
- Download and keep all your syllabi
- Download and keep course catalogs for the years you were enrolled in your degree program
During Your Final Quarter:
- Begin studying for your exam:
- NP resources include:
- Content guides and sample questions can be found on certifying body websites:
- ANCC Certifications (Select FNP-BC, AGPCNP-BC, or AGCNS-BC to view corresponding guides)
- AANPCB Handbook
- Register to take your National Certification Exam. NP exam comparison info is available in many sources, including this one.
- ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, or Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist.
- If you are sitting for a certification exam through ANCC, complete only the first section of the Validation of Education form and send by email to SHS@spu.edu AFTER registering for your exam. Validation forms will be sent at the conclusion of Spring Quarter.
- AANPCB Family Nurse Practitioner or Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
- AANPCB certification does not require a verification of education
- AANPCB certification does not require a verification of education
- ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, or Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist.
- Submit your unofficial transcript to your certifying body
- Respond to the “What Comes Next?” survey sent by the School of Health Sciences
After Graduation:
- Request an official transcript be sent directly to your certifying body
- Wait until your degree is posted or indicate that transcripts should not be printed until your degree is posted
After Passing Your Certification Exam:
- Request that your certifying body send verification of certification to WA State
- Apply for WA State Licensure
- Apply for a DEA Number
- apply after you have your state license
When You Are Employed:
- Obtain malpractice insurance (may vary by employee)
- Apply for NPI and L&I numbers (may vary by employer *)
- Apply for Medicare and Medicaid numbers (may vary by employer *)
- Apply to become a WA practitioner (application to insurance companies for billing; may vary by employer*)
* Most employers will do this for you.
School of Health Sciences, Seattle Pacific University