How to Become a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
There are several steps to becoming a family nurse practitioner (FNP). Education, certification and clinical practice are among the many requirements to be accepted to a nurse practitioner program.
MS in Nursing – online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program
The Family Nurse Practitioner Program empowers students to improve the health and well being of family members at all stages of life. Georgetown-educated Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) apply cutting-edge science and manage the health needs of patients in primary care settings, taking a holistic approach that emphasizes both care and cure.
- CCNE Accredited
- Complete the 44 credit program in as few as 27 months
- Clinical Placement Support
Here is a step-by-step path you can take to become a family nurse practitioner:
Steps to Become a FNP | Role and Responsibilities | Certification | Salary
. To apply to an online FNP program, you must have completed a degree in registered nursing and be certified as a registered nurse in a U.S. state or territory. Passing the NCLEX-RN examination is required for certification as a registered nurse. Working one to two years before applying for a nurse practitioner program is highly recommended.
Look for programs accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). These must be master’s, postgraduate, or doctoral programs.
. According to the 2016 Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs, a minimum of 500 clinical, supervised patient care hours are required for all accredited FNP programs and future FNPs. Applicants must have completed graduate courses in physiology, health assessment and pharmacology to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification exam.
. There are two certifications offered by different organizations, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
The AANP Family Nurse Practitioner Certification exam consists of 150 questions that assess knowledge of health history, clinical decision-making, patient education, evidence-informed practice, and more.
The ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner Certification exam has 175 questions about assessments, pharmacotherapeutics, age-appropriate interventions, regulatory guidelines and more. Learn more about the difference between AANP and ANCC FNP exams.
. Becoming a family nurse practitioner may have additional requirements depending on the state. Go to our state’s nursing requirements page to find out how to apply in your area. Many of these applications can be submitted online.
. Once you have earned your family nurse practitioner certification, it must be renewed every five years, according to the ANCC family nurse practitioner certification renewal requirements. In addition to renewing certification through the board, renewal through the state is also required and may involve additional fulfillment of continuing education contact hours.
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Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) — Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Simmons University's online Nursing@Simmons program offers currently licensed RNs an opportunity to earn their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to become Family Nurse Practitioners. The online MSN program is designed for RNs who already hold a bachelor's degree, preferably a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
- Scholarships are available
- Part-time, full-time and extended plans of study
- Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
MS in Nursing – online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program
The Family Nurse Practitioner Program empowers students to improve the health and well being of family members at all stages of life. Georgetown-educated Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) apply cutting-edge science and manage the health needs of patients in primary care settings, taking a holistic approach that emphasizes both care and cure.
- CCNE Accredited
- Complete the 44 credit program in as few as 27 months
- Clinical Placement Support
Online Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner Program
The online Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner (PCFNP) program from the Wegmans School of Nursing prepares you to pursue FNP certification and provide compassionate, ethical care to patients across their lifespan. Complete full time in as few as 24 months.
- CCNE-accredited
- Complete in as few as 24 months
- Part-time and accelerated tracks available
- Four program options
Steps to Become a FNP | Role and Responsibilities | Certification | Salary
Family Nurse Practitioner Roles and Responsibilities
Because of their high level of education, expertise and skill, family nurse practitioners (FNP) will often take on some of the roles of a physician. However, they will still generally work under the supervision of, or in close conjunction with, a physician. FNPs must be able to provide high-quality nursing care and support to patients and families, diagnosing and treating patients across a wide range of conditions. Here are some core responsibilities after becoming a family nurse practitioner:
Educate
FNPs are expected to educate their patients and their families. This can cover a wide variety of subjects, including childbirth and care for newborns with expectant mothers, methods for managing cholesterol or stress in aging patients, geriatric issues with the elderly, and many other topics. Education is the front line in the battle against preventable diseases.
Diagnose
A family nurse practitioner must be able to effectively diagnose patients across a wide range of ages, placing them in the role of the diagnostician. FNPs often have access to the patient’s medical history, can order tests, and will combine this information with physical symptoms to formulate an informed diagnosis.
Treatment
After diagnosing a patient, FNPs will provide treatment. These duties may vary from state to state but mainly consist of ordering or performing diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, and treating any and all injuries or chronic illnesses that fall under primary care.
Learn more about nurse practitioner prescriptive authority.
Collaborate
Becoming an FNP requires a wide range of skills and training, but they do not work completely alone. It is paramount to the successful career of a family nurse practitioner to collaborate with fellow healthcare professionals to discuss best practices, tough decisions, and treatment outcomes.
With so many distinct and equally important roles to fill, the responsibilities of a family nurse practitioner are many. Highly educated and experienced family nurse practitioners are incredibly valuable healthcare professionals, especially now that the U.S. healthcare system is evolving to serve more people in need at the same, or even lower, cost.
Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
Family nurse practitioner education programs are designed for RNs who are looking to advance their nursing careers in a family-oriented, primary care setting to become a family nurse practitioner.
The ANCC administers the certification exam to graduates of accredited family nurse practitioner education programs who have completed at least 500 hours of faculty-supervised clinical experience as a family nurse practitioner.
In addition, graduate-level courses in physiology, health assessment and pharmacology must be completed to sit for the ANCC certification exam and, ultimately, become a family nurse practitioner.
Steps to Become a FNP | Role and Responsibilities | Certification | Salary
Family Nurse Practitioner Certification
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), which certifies nurses in specialty practice areas, offers only one certification specifically for family nurse practitioners: the family nurse practitioner certification. The FNP certification is awarded through an examination assessing the clinical knowledge and skills of family nurse practitioners.
Eligibility requirements for the examination include a current, active registered nurse (RN) license and a master’s, postgraduate, or doctoral degree from an accredited FNP program.
The FNP certification is valid for five years. Renewal requires 75 hours of continuing education, with at least 25 hours in pharmacotherapeutics, and a current, active RN license.
How to apply for FNP certification?
There are two accredited certifying agencies for FNP certification:
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) – Family Nurse Practitioner
Type of Certification: FNP-BC (Family Nurse Practitioner—Board Certified)
Eligibility Requirements: Active RN license, master’s degree or higher from a family nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the National League for Nursing (NLN) Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA), with three separate graduate courses with at least 500 clinical hours
Certification Process: Initial application, followed by a computer-based exam (offered year-round, but must be taken within 90 days of when the application is processed)
Fees:
- $295 for American Nurses Association (ANA) members
- $340 for American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) members
- $290 for AANP student members
- $395 for non-members
Renewal:
- Certifications must be renewed every five years.
- Renewal fees of
- $275 for ANA members
- $295 for AANP members
- $375 for non-members
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) – Family Nurse Practitioner
Types of Certification: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Eligibility Requirements: From the AANP candidate handbook, requirements for this certification include a master’s degree or higher from an approved nurse practitioner program and a current RN license.
Certification Process: Initial online application, followed by a computer-based exam at a testing center.
Fees: According to the AANP’s FNP certification application, the fee is $240 for AANP members or $315 for non-members.
Renewal: Nurse practitioners certified by the AANP certification program must recertify every five years, according to AANP renewal requirements, by sitting for the appropriate examination or by meeting the clinical practice and continuing education requirements established for recertification.
- Renewal Fees for Recertification by Exam
- AANP members – $240; non-members – $315
- By Paper Application: AANP members – $290; non-members – $365
- Renewal Fees for Recertification by Practice Hours and CE
- AANP members – $120; non-members $195
- By Paper Application: AANP members – $170; non-members – $245
Steps to Become a FNP | Role and Responsibilities | Certification | Salary
Family Nurse Practitioner Salary
On average, family nurse practitioners are well-compensated, even in entry-level positions. The median annual salary for a nurse practitioner was $129,210 May 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
In addition to a salary, many FNPs also receive annual bonuses. They may also receive additional compensation through initiatives such as profit-sharing. A wide variety of factors influence the salaries of family nurse practitioners, including education and training, areas of specialization, geographic location and type of employer.
FAQs
An FNP, or family nurse practitioner, is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) trained to provide medical care for children and adults, sometimes as a primary care provider.
Information last updated: November 2025