What's the difference between an FNP-C and an FNP-BC?
Table of Contents
By: Gayle Morris BSN, MSN, Edited by: Rebecca Munday
Published: January 22, 2025
Over 70% of all nurse practitioners are family nurse practitioners (FNPs), according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners in February 2024. State licensure requires certification in this career path. You have two choices that serve different purposes.
Discover the differences between FNP-C vs. FNP-BC and how they affect your career options.
What is the FNP-C?
The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) awards the Family Nurse Practitioner-Certified (FNP-C) credential. Family nurse practitioners whose careers focus on clinical family practice, covering primary care for all ages, from pediatrics to geriatrics, may want this certification.
Certification demonstrates clinical competence and ensures FNPs adhere to national standards. FNP-C certification validates your expertise in diagnosis, treatment, and health promotion.
What is the FNP-BC?
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers certification that awards the Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (FNP-BC) credential. The credential offers a broader scope of practice. FNPs who want to practice clinically, influence healthcare policy, and educate future generations of nurse practitioners seek this certification.
Clinical practice, academia, or healthcare tactics all require certification to work. Certification also validates your expertise and demonstrates to your employers and patients that you are qualified.
Differences between the FNP-C and the FNP-BC
The FNP-C and FNP-BC certifications require you to have graduated from a nationally accredited FNP program. The examinations differ in eligibility, cost, contents, and renewal requirements.
FNP-C vs. FNP-BC: which is right for me?
You can consider several factors when determining which certification exam is right for you. The first factor is your career goals. Ask yourself if your career goals focus solely on providing clinical care through the lifespan or if you want the broader experience of providing care and influencing policy or teaching.
The next factor to consider is your eligibility for the exam. While they are very similar, the FNP-BC has a broad range of required courses and authorization to sit for the examination.
Finally, you'll want to compare the examination costs and renewal requirements. The FNP-BC is more expensive, but an employer may require this certification when you want a job outside of clinical practice.