In choosing which nurse practitioner certifying body you will use, one thing to consider is cost. While the difference in price between the ANCC and AANP certification exams is not substantial, you can save some money by selecting the least expensive organization. This savings is compounded over the course of your NP career when you factor in recertification costs as well. Which option will leave your pocket book in better condition?
If you are graduating from an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner or a Family Nurse Practitioner program, you have options when it comes to your NP certification exam. You may certify through either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). While taking either exam will officially certify you as an NP, it’s worth doing some research to find the best exam for your needs.
The first thing you need to look at in considering the cost of nurse practitioner certification is the flat rates offered by both the ANCC and AANP. Each organization offers a discount for membership in various nursing organizations. The chart below shows the price for each certification exam including discounts for nursing organization memberships.
Cost of Initial NP Certification
Joining a nursing organization can save you up to $125 on the cost of your nurse practitioner certification exam. Not only does belonging to a national nursing organization save you money on your NP certification, it also offers savings on continuing education conferences and serves as a resume builder. Now is the time to think about joining so you can maximize the benefits these organizations have to offer.
Dues for national nursing organizations range in price. An American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) membership costs just $55 a year for students and $125 a year for nurse practitioners. An American Nurses Association (ANA) membership will set you back $191 annually.
Overall, when considering the cost of nursing organization membership, becoming a student member of the AANP and taking the AANP certification exam will be the least expensive way to certify costing a total of $295. The most expensive option, of course, would be to take the ANCC exam without a professional membership. If you are already an ANA member, taking the ANCC certification exam is your most cost effective option.
A second financial factor to consider in choosing your certifying body is recertification costs. Every five years as a nurse practitioner you will need to renew your certification. Planning ahead for certification renewal costs could save you hundreds of dollars over the course of your career.
Cost of NP Certification Renewal
As with your initial certification, renewing your nurse practitioner certification is least expensive with the AANP. So, overall, going with an American Association of Nurse Practitioners certification will same you money not only on your initial certification but also throughout your career. While these cost differences are not substantial, they do help at least a bit when facing other expenses associated with your NP education.
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