Fitzgerald vs APEA for the FNP exam: self-paced or live?
Last checked October 18, 2026 · Sources: Fitzgerald’s FNP review pages; APEA’s Predictor Exam and live review pages; NPCB and ANCC for exam facts. Pass-rate claims are the companies’ own. Not hands-on tested.
Fitzgerald vs APEA is self-paced against live. Fitzgerald’s FNP packages run from $449 (six months of on-demand video) to $1,099, with its popular On-Demand package at $769 including the book and 500 practice questions, all with a Pass Guarantee. APEA’s live review course is $590, onsite or online, with pre- and post-course predictor exams and a free repeat within a year if you don’t pass. Both cover the AANP (NPCB) and ANCC exams.
On-demand packages from $449; book and practice tests; Pass Guarantee.
Buy now on FitzgeraldFitzgerald vs APEA side by side
| Fitzgerald | APEA | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Self-paced on-demand video (also livestream and MP3 in higher packages) | Live onsite or live online; 2-3 day courses or a six-week online course |
| Price | $449 (Online) to $1,099 (Ultimate); On-Demand $769 | $590 live course |
| Practice | 150-question practice exam; 350-question prep test in higher packages; QBank $179 extra | Pre- and post-course predictor exams included; $60 Predictor Exam sold separately |
| Access | 6 months (Online package) | Course dates; recordings in bundles |
| Guarantee | Free course access and remediation to retake | Free repeat course within 1 year, for live attendees |
| Contact hours | Available | 26-37 for FNP, per APEA |
From each provider’s own pages, checked October 18, 2026.
The main differences
Fitzgerald’s strength is flexibility: six months of on-demand video from $449, plus the book and practice tests in higher packages. APEA’s strength is live teaching with real-time Q&A and a guarantee tied to attending the whole course. On price, Fitzgerald’s Online package undercuts APEA’s live course by $141; APEA’s course costs less than Fitzgerald’s On-Demand and Ultimate packages.
Choose Fitzgerald if
- You want to study on your own schedule over several months.
- You want the book and a large prep test in the package.
- You prefer a guarantee that doesn’t depend on attending live sessions.
Choose APEA if
- You learn best from live teaching and want to ask questions in real time.
- You can attend a full 2-3 day course close to your exam date.
- You want predictor exams built in.
Whichever you choose
If you’re taking ANCC’s FNP-BC on or after October 30, 2026, confirm the course reflects ANCC’s new outline, which puts 50 of 150 scored questions on Implementation; NPCB’s blueprint is unchanged. See our 2026 FNP exam changes.
Common questions about Fitzgerald vs APEA
Which is cheaper?
Fitzgerald’s Online package ($449) is cheaper than APEA’s live course ($590); Fitzgerald’s On-Demand ($769) and Ultimate ($1,099) packages cost more.
Which has a pass guarantee?
Both. Fitzgerald gives free course access and remediation to retake; APEA lets live-course attendees repeat a course free within a year.
Do both cover NPCB and ANCC?
Both say they prepare you for the AANP (NPCB) and ANCC FNP exams.
Is this comparison sponsored?
No. We earn no commission from either provider.
See also best FNP prep. We first checked these details on October 12, 2026 and rechecked them on October 18, 2026. MockTestPrep is independent and is not affiliated with Fitzgerald or APEA.