How to Become a Nurse Practitioner – Steps, Timeline, Cost & More

Becoming a Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a powerful way to advance your nursing career, gain autonomy in practice, and make a profound impact on patient care. Whether you're interested in becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), or another specialty like Adult Gerontology or Pediatrics, the process follows a similar path.

In this post, we’ll walk through every step—from choosing a program to passing your boards—along with expected costs, timeline, and tips to choose the right NP school.

What Is a Nurse Practitioner?

A Nurse Practitioner is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) with graduate-level education and clinical training. NPs can:

• Diagnose and treat health conditions

• Prescribe medications

• Provide primary and specialty care

• Work independently in 28 states

NP Specialties

Here are the most popular NP specialties:

• FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner): Primary care for all ages

• PMHNP (Psychiatric-Mental Health): Mental health care and medication management

• AGNP (Adult-Gerontology): Care for adults and older populations

• PNP (Pediatric Nurse Practitioner): Care for children

• WHNP (Women’s Health): Focus on reproductive and gynecological care

• ACNP (Acute Care): Inpatient and emergency care for complex cases

Step-by-Step: How to Become a Nurse Practitioner

1. Become a Registered Nurse (RN)

• Pathways: ADN → RN → BSN, or direct-entry BSN

• Licensure: Pass the NCLEX-RN

2. Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

• If you already have an ADN, consider RN-to-BSN programs (often 1–2 years online).

3. Gain Nursing Experience (We HIGHLY Recommended but Not Always Required)

• Many programs prefer or require 1–2 years of RN experience, especially in your chosen specialty area.

  • The time you spend as a nurse will truly be influential - whether it is 3 years or 15. We recommend getting experience in the field you think you are most interested in and you can always change specialities or apply to school the next year depending on what works best for you.

4. Apply to an NP Program (MSN or DNP)

• MSN (Master of Science in Nursing): Typically 2–3 years

• DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice): 3–4 years

• Choose a program accredited by CCNE or ACEN

5. Complete Required Clinical Hours

• Most programs require 500–700 clinical hours for MSN.

• DNP programs can be around 700-2000 hours - but don't let this scare you away from a DNP program! The extra time spent here can really help you become a more confident and well rounded provider.

• Clinicals vary by specialty and are often arranged by the school (but confirm this!)

6. Graduate and Sit for the Certification Exam

• You must pass your boards to become certified and licensed - we have more information about boards below!

7. Apply for State APRN Licensure

• Each state has its own scope of practice laws (some allow full practice authority)

How Much Does It Cost to Become an NP?

This can vary greatly, but here are some rough approximations.

• BSN Degree - $20,000–$80,000

• MSN/DNP Program - $30,000–$100,000

• Books & Materials - $1,000–$3,000

  • We recommend trying to find used/thrifted books and you can save a lot if you are ok with not getting the latest editions.

• Board Exam & Licensure - $300–$700

  • This does not cover things like liability insurance, DEA Registration, and more costs that come along with being a provider.

Tip: Apply for HRSA Nurse Corps scholarships or state-specific tuition reimbursement programs. Anything really does help!

Choosing the Right NP Program

Key Things to Consider:

• Accreditation (CCNE/ACEN)

• Clinical placement support

• Cost & financial aid

• Online vs hybrid vs in-person

• Program reputation

• Attrition rates

• Certification pass rates

Red Flag: Programs that do not assist with clinical placements can delay your graduation. It is also worth knowing that NPs that have graduated from programs with a poor reputation have had difficult times finding jobs.

Board Exams: What to Know by NP Specialty

When you complete your NP program, the final hurdle is passing your national certification board exam. Each NP specialty has its own certification exam, administered by one or more national credentialing bodies—mainly AANP (American Association of Nurse Practitioners) and ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center). For some specialties, only one certifying body offers the exam.

Here's what you need to know for four major NP specializations:

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

You can choose between AANP or ANCC exams.

AANP Certification (FNP-C)

• Credential earned: FNP-C

• Focus: Strong clinical emphasis; minimal non-clinical content

• Format: 150 scored questions (multiple choice)

• Recertification: Every 5 years (via CE or re-exam)

• Best for: Those who prefer a clinical-focused exam

ANCC Certification (FNP-BC)

• Credential earned: FNP-BC

• Focus: Mix of clinical and non-clinical content (policy, EBP, leadership)

• Format: 175 questions (includes select-all, drag-and-drop, etc.)

• Recertification: Every 5 years

• Best for: Those considering academic, administrative, or leadership roles

Pro Tip: Employers typically accept either, but verify with your state board if you have specific scope-of-practice concerns.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Only ANCC offers board certification for PMHNPs.

ANCC PMHNP Certification

• Credential earned: PMHNP-BC

• Focus: Psychiatric diagnosis, pharmacology, psychotherapy, and theory

• Format: 175 questions (multi-format)

• Recertification: Every 5 years

• Unique Element: Strong emphasis on psychotherapy modalities and psychopharmacology

Important: PMHNP board prep often requires more advanced mental health theory and diagnostic criteria (DSM-5-TR).

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)

This specialty has two routes: Primary Care (AGPCNP) and Acute Care (AGACNP). Each has its own certification exam.

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AGPCNP)

• Certifying Bodies: AANP or ANCC

• Credentials: AGPCNP-C (AANP), AGPCNP-BC (ANCC)

• Focus: Outpatient management of chronic/acute illnesses in adults and older adults

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care (AGACNP)

• Certifying Bodies: ANCC or AACN (American Association of Critical-Care Nurses)

• Credentials: AGACNP-BC (ANCC), ACNPC-AG (AACN)

• Focus: Inpatient, ICU, or hospital-based care for complex/unstable patients

• Choose carefully: Some hospitals prefer one certifying body over another

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)

Two certification paths based on population focus:

Primary Care PNP (CPNP-PC)

• Credentialing Body: Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)

• Credential: CPNP-PC

• Focus: Primary care, wellness, and prevention in children and adolescents

Acute Care PNP (CPNP-AC)

• Credentialing Body: PNCB

• Credential: CPNP-AC

• Focus: Inpatient care, pediatric ICUs, and emergency/trauma settings

Note: PNCB is the only certifying body for PNPs in the U.S.

Study Time: Plan 2–3 months of review with prep courses, practice tests, and review books.

Final Tips

• Talk to current NPs and students before committing

• The contributors of this site all shadowed providers in their specialty and we recommend this - it really helped each us determine if we were going down the right path and gave us professional connections for the future!

• Consider looking into your state's scope of practice laws

• Set realistic expectations: It’s a tough journey, but worth it

• You may be able to work part-time during school—but time management is crucial and we believe school should be a priority since the health of your future patients will soon be in your hands!

Summary: Your Roadmap to Becoming an NP

1. Become an RN

2. Earn a BSN

3. Apply to an NP program

4. Complete clinical hours and your courses

5. Pass boards

6. Get licensed in your state

7. Get a job, then

8. Start practicing as an Nurse Practitioner!

Final Tips for Board Prep

• Start early: Give yourself at least 2–3 months to prepare

• Choose your prep wisely: Consider our course modules for prep - we'd love to see you there!

• Practice matters: Take multiple full-length practice exams under timed conditions - we have courses for different specialities with exams and test banks if you are interested!

• Know your state: Check if your state has a preference for certification bodies & talk to your preceptor to see what they may recommend.

Nail Your NP, CNM, or CRNA School Interview — and Stand Out on Paper

Applying to grad school for your APRN? The competition is real — but you don’t have to go in unprepared.

Our Application & Interview Prep Module includes:

✅ Personalized statement editing that grabs attention
✅ Mock interviews tailored to your specialty (NP, CNM, CRNA)
✅ School-specific tips from accepted students & faculty reviewers
✅ Common pitfalls to avoid in DNP essays and interviews
✅ Guidance on building a standout resume/CV

Get the tools you need to impress — on paper and in person.

Check out our Course to Prepare you for Interviews and Applications to maximize your chances of acceptance — and stop second-guessing your application.