FNP exam cost: fees, prep, retakes and keeping your certification
Last checked October 18, 2026 · Sources: NPCB exam page, FNP Candidate Handbook and Renewal Handbook; ANCC FNP-BC page; prep prices from Fitzgerald, APEA and UWorld. Totals are our sums.
The FNP exam cost starts with the board’s fee: $315 for NPCB’s FNP exam ($240 for AANP members) or $395 for ANCC’s FNP-BC ($295 for ANA members). Prep adds anything from $0 (free sample questions and UWorld’s trial) to $1,099 for Fitzgerald’s top package, with $449 to $590 typical for a full course. A first-time pass with a mid-range course comes to roughly $700 to $900 before membership and state licensing fees.
What the exam itself costs
| NPCB (FNP-C) | ANCC (FNP-BC) | |
|---|---|---|
| Non-member fee | $315 | $395 |
| Member fee | $240 (AANP or AAENP) | $295 (ANA, not e-members); $340 (AANP); $290 (AANP student) |
| Retake | Full fee again, up to 3 attempts a year | Retest application after 60 days; up to 3 in 12 months |
| Eligibility reset | Fee applies if you miss your 120-day window | See ANCC |
| Certification period | 5 years | 5 years |
From NPCB’s exam page and handbook and ANCC’s FNP-BC page, checked October 18, 2026.
What prep costs
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| ANCC sample questions; NPCB blueprint; UWorld 7-day trial | Free |
| APEA Predictor Exam | $60 |
| Fitzgerald FNP QBank (6 months) | $179 |
| Fitzgerald Online package | $449 |
| APEA live review course | $590 |
| Fitzgerald On-Demand package | $769 |
| Fitzgerald Ultimate package | $1,099 |
| UWorld FNP QBank | At checkout |
From each provider’s own pages, October 2026. UWorld shows prices at checkout.
Example budgets
| Scenario | Items | About |
|---|---|---|
| Lean, NPCB | $315 exam + free material + $60 Predictor Exam | $375 |
| Mid-range, NPCB member | $240 exam + Fitzgerald Online $449 | $689 |
| Mid-range, ANCC | $395 exam + APEA live $590 | $985 |
| Full, ANCC member | $295 exam + Fitzgerald On-Demand $769 + QBank $179 | $1,243 |
Our sums for a first-time pass; excludes membership dues and state APRN licensing fees.
Costs after you pass
Both certifications run five years. NPCB’s renewal handbook requires 1,000 practice hours and 100 CE hours (25 pharmacology) or re-examination, so budget for CE over the period; ANCC renews on similar terms. State APRN licensure and DEA registration are separate costs set by your state and the DEA. See our FNP recertification guide.
Ways to keep FNP exam cost down
- Join before you apply: AANP membership saves $75 on NPCB; ANA membership saves $100 on ANCC.
- Ask your program what board review it provides.
- Use free material first: sample questions, the blueprint and UWorld’s trial.
- Pass first time: an NPCB retake is the full fee again, and a missed NPCB window costs a reset fee.
Common questions about FNP exam cost
How much does the FNP exam cost?
$315 for NPCB’s FNP exam, or $240 for AANP members; $395 for ANCC’s FNP-BC, or $295 for ANA members.
How much is FNP prep?
Anything from free (sample questions and trials) to $1,099 for Fitzgerald’s top package; $449 to $590 is typical for a full course.
What does an FNP retake cost?
NPCB charges the full fee again. ANCC requires a retest application after 60 days.
Do I have to join AANP to take the exam?
No. NPCB says membership isn’t required to certify, though members pay less.
See also our cheapest FNP prep and how to register. MockTestPrep is independent and earns no commission from these providers.