Emergency NP Certification for Clinicians Who Work Under Pressure

The ENP-C is the only specialty certification for nurse practitioners in emergency and urgent care — built for the clinical precision your patients demand. NPCB is the sole certifier in this specialty.

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Clinical-Only Exam

100% Clinical Knowledge

No theory. No research. No admin content.

Faster to Certified

3 Business Days

Faster than the national average.

Lower Cost

From $240 (AANP Member)

Save without sacrificing credibility.

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Credentials

State

Why Earn Your ENP-C

NPCB is the sole certifying body for emergency nurse practitioners. The ENP-C is not a generalist credential. It is a specialty-level examination built specifically for NPs who practice in emergency and urgent care environments, testing the clinical knowledge and judgment your patients require.

150 questions, 135 scored, 3-hour exam
85% first-time pass rate
100% clinical
Covers emergency NP competencies across patients of all ages and acuities
Administered at Prometric testing centers nationwide

Validates advanced clinical expertise in emergency and urgent care settings
Differentiates you in emergency NP hiring and credentialing
Recognized by all 50 U.S. state boards of nursing, Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA
Dual-accredited by ABSNC and NCCA
Supported by AANP, the largest professional association for nurse practitioners

The ENP-C covers the full scope of emergency NP practice, from medical screening and high-acuity decision making to patient management and transitions of care. Every question reflects real emergency practice. Just the clinical knowledge and judgment you've already built in the field, now credentialed.

ENP-C at a Glance

NPCB is the only certifying body offering the Emergency Nurse Practitioner credential.

Credential

Detail

What It Means For You

Certifying Body

NPCB

The only board offering ENP certification

Exam Format

150 questions (135 scored)

3-hour computer based exam at Prometric

Exam Content

100% Clinical

Emergency NP competencies across all ages and acuities

First-Time Pass Rate

85%

Proven performance benchmark

Accreditation

ABSNC + NCCA

Dual-accredited to national standards

Recognition

All 50 states + Medicare/Medicaid/VA

Accepted wherever you practice

AANP or AAENP Member Fee

$240

Non-member: $315

Renewal

Every 5 years

AANP or AAENP member: $120. Non-member: $195.

Ready to Apply? Here's How It Works.

Ready to Apply? Here's How  It Works.

Create your profile at aanpcert.org

Select the ENP-C certification exam, upload your documents, and submit payment

NPCB reviews your application, processed in the order received

Once your program completion date is reached and eligibility is confirmed, you’ll receive your Authorization to Test (ATT)

Schedule your exam through Prometric. You have a 120-day testing window.

Unlike initial NP certifications, all ENP eligibility requirements must be fully completed before submitting your application. There is no early-apply window for this exam.

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Most asked questions

Who is eligible for the ENP-C exam?

You need current FNP certification and an active U.S. RN license. You also need to meet one of three pathways. Emergency clinical practice requires, in the past 5 years, at least 2,000 direct emergency care hours as a certified NP plus 100 hours of emergency-related continuing education. The academic pathway requires an approved graduate or postgraduate ENP program. The fellowship pathway requires an approved advanced practice fellowship in emergency care. FNP certification from another national board is accepted with documentation.

Is this certification required to practice in emergency care?

No. ENP-C is an optional specialty certification for FNPs. It shows you have the advanced knowledge emergency practice demands, on top of your FNP credential.

Is NPCB the only option for ENP certification?

Yes. NPCB is the only board that certifies nurse practitioners in emergency care.

What is on the ENP-C exam?

The ENP-C is a specialty-level exam, not an entry-level one. It has 150 multiple-choice questions: 135 are scored and 15 are unscored pretest questions. You have 3 hours. Questions fall into five practice domains: Medical Screening, Medical Decision Making and Differential Diagnosis, Patient Management, Transitions of Care, and Professional Practices. Patient Management is the largest at 36%. The exam also covers emergency procedures, from airway and resuscitation to fracture reduction and point-of-care ultrasound. The full blueprint is in the ENP Candidate Handbook.

Do my CE hours need to be from specific courses?

For the clinical practice pathway, yes. You need 100 hours of emergency-related CE in the past 5 years, and 30 of those hours must be emergency procedural skills. Accepted advanced life support courses include ABLS, ALSO, ATLS, and NRP. BLS, ACLS, and PALS don't count toward this requirement. Upload your CE certificates with your application.

How long does it take to get approved?

Complete applications are currently processed in about 3 business days, with current times posted at aanpcert.org. If you're applying through the clinical practice or fellowship pathway, finish every requirement before you apply. ENP program students can apply up to 6 months before completion, or 12 months for a DNP. Once approved, you have 120 days to schedule and take your exam.

Where do I take the exam?

At a Prometric testing center. After you receive your Authorization to Test (ATT), schedule through your NPCB account at aanpcert.org using the instructions in your ATT email.

Check Your Eligibility Before You Apply

Base Requirements (all applicants):

Hold current Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certification from any nationally recognized certifying body
Current, active RN licensure in the U.S. state or territory

Then meet ONE of the following three pathways:

Pathway 1: Emergency Clinical Practice + Continuing Education

2,000+ direct emergency care clinical practice hours as a certified NP (within the past 5 years)
100+ hours of emergency-related continuing education, including 30 hours of emergency procedural skills (within the last 5 years)
Accepted advanced life support courses: ABLS, ALSO, ATLAS, NRP. Note: BLS, ACLS, and PALS do not meet this requirement.

Pathway 2: ENP Academic Program

Completion of an approved graduate or postgraduate Emergency NP academic program
Transcript required; unofficial transcript accepted to apply, official transcript required for certification release

Pathway 3: ENP Fellowship

Completion of an approved advanced practice fellowship program in emergency care
Official documentation verifying fellowship completion may be required.