AGPCNP Certification: Overview and FAQ
What does AGPCNP stand for? Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification is for advanced practice nurses (APRNs) who provide comprehensive care for adults and older adults. These professionals offer primary care services, manage chronic conditions, and promote wellness. Learn about this credential and what it takes to earn it.
An NP (nurse practitioner) is one of four types of APRN, and they’re essential in helping patients access care. They’re especially important in rural areas, where physicians are more scarce and patients may have to commute long distances for basic health services.
Unlike other NPs, such as emergency nurse practitioners (ENPs), AGPCNPs work in post-acute and outpatient settings. The patients they see tend to be more stable than those found in acute care, and their focus is more on prevention and wellness than treating life-threatening diseases. If you have a passion for promoting healthy habits and you want to get to know your patients for longer than a hospital stay, this could be a great career for you.
What Does an AGPCNP Do and Where Do They Work?
Adult primary care NPs conduct physical exams, diagnose and manage acute and chronic conditions, prescribe medications, and provide education. Here are some of the tasks that they might perform in a day:
- Performing initial, problem-focused, and routine health assessments
- Evaluating and diagnosing chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, or respiratory illnesses
- Developing and managing treatment plans, including prescribing and renewing medications
- Providing preventative care through vaccinations, health screenings, and education
- Coordinating care with specialists and other providers
- Performing minor procedures, like wound care or joint injections
- Documenting and communicating patient progress in the electronic medical record
AGPCNPs work in outpatient settings, such as primary care clinics, community health centers, and private practices. They may also provide care in long-term facilities, rehabilitation centers, or through home health services.
The AGPCNP scope of practice and practice authority differs by state. An NP in one state may be able to prescribe independently, while an NP across state lines may need physician supervision. See your state’s Nurse Practice Act to learn more about regulations for clinicians in your area.
AGPCNP Salary Averages
On average, adult-gerontology NPs in the U.S. earn $109,000 annually. Most clinicians in this role make between $94,000 and $127,000. Your earnings as an NP are determined by several factors, including your location, experience, specialty area, and additional credentials you obtain.
How to Become an AGPCNP: 6 Steps
If you’re considering this career path, or just curious about what it takes to fill this role, see the steps below.
Step 1: Nursing School
First, you’ll need to attend a pre-licensure nursing program. There are two options — a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The BSN is the gold-standard degree for nurses who intend to go into advanced practice because most NP schools require a bachelor’s for entry. But you could also complete an ADN and attend additional courses while working. Learn more about comparing ADN and BSN degrees.
Step 2: Earn Your RN License
Once you graduate from nursing school, it’s time to sit for the National Council Licensure Exam for RNs (NCLEX-RN). This test assesses whether you’re ready to practice as a nurse at the entry level. Expect to use clinical judgment, answer questions of various formats, and remember your ABCs when it comes to prioritization — airway, breathing, and circulation.
The NCLEX is an adaptive exam, so you’ll need to answer between 75 and 145 questions. Preparing well, giving yourself enough time to study, and using your nursing school resources will give you the best chance of passing on the first try.
Step 3: Gain Experience
Your first role as a new grad nurse will likely have a massive learning curve as you transition from student to working nurse. Many new grads choose to enter the profession through a new-grad residency program so they can work with preceptors and receive more training. If you want to work in acute care units — such as meg-surg, ICU, or labor and delivery — a residency is a good place to start.
Even if you plan to go into primary care as an NP, gaining experience in an acute care hospital will help set you up for success by helping you learn critical thinking, prioritization, and teamwork. Keep in mind that most NP programs require one to two years of experience before you can apply.
Step 4: Attend an NP Program
There are two paths to enter this advanced practice specialty — a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP). The DNP is the terminal practice degree in nursing, and some leaders are calling for it to be the standard entry-level requirement for advanced practice nurses. For now, an MSN will also allow you to earn board certification as an AGPCNP.
The curriculum of your primary care NP program will include advanced courses. Be sure that it includes these essential courses, which are required for board certification in this specialty:
- Advanced physiology/pathophysiology
- Advanced health assessment
- Advanced pharmacology
You’ll also need to take classes in health promotion and maintenance, as well as differential diagnoses and disease management. To learn more about general education for nurse practitioners, see our article on NP schooling requirements.
Step 5: Become an AGPCNP-BC
Once you graduate from your program, it’s time to earn board certification. The AGPCNP-BC credential is offered through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), so you’ll need to make an account with them to apply. Eligibility requirements are as follows:
- An active and unencumbered RN license
- Completion of a post-graduate certification, MSN, or DNP program focusing on adult-gerontology primary care
- Advanced courses and content (listed in the previous section)
To apply, you’ll submit documents verifying your education and your transcripts. You’ll also need to pay an application fee. The fees are below.
- Non-American Nurses Association (ANA) members: $395
- ANA members: $295
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners members: $340
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners student members: $290
- Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association members: $340
Once your application is approved, you’ll receive an email to set your exam date. The test is administered by Prometric. To help prepare for the exam, see the resources below:
- ANCC’s certification testing and renewal book
- AGPCNP-BC exam content outline
- Exam reference list
- Sample test questions
- ANCC’s readiness tests
Step 6: Maintain Your Credential
This credential must be renewed every five years to remain valid. Be sure to renew as early as possible because you may not be able to practice if it expires.
Requirements to renew are listed below:
- A current, active RN license
- At least 75 contact hours of continuing education, including 25 hours in pharmacology
- Completion of at least one of the following renewal categories:
- 75 continuing education hours
- 5 academic credits or 6 quarter credits
- 1 or more presentations totaling 5 clock hours
- 1 completed evidence-based practice (EBP) or quality improvement (QI) project, or 1 article published in a peer-reviewed journal or book chapter (alternatively, 5 articles in non-peer-reviewed journals), or 1 institutional review board (IRB) research project, dissertation, or thesis
- At least 120 preceptor hours in your specialty
- 2 or more consecutive years of volunteer service during your certification period with a healthcare-related organization
- At least 1,000 practice hours in your certification specialty, completed within the past 5 years
- A passing score on the current certification exam
You’ll also need to pay a renewal fee, as follows:
- Nonmembers: $375
- ANA members:$275
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners members: $295
- Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association members:$320
Adult-Gerontology NP Certification FAQs
AGPCNP vs. FNP: What’s the difference?
An FNP is a family nurse practitioner, and both of these advanced practice nurses work to care for patients of a variety of ages. There’s a lot of overlap in where they work and what they do day to day. However, FNPs may also care for children and infants, while AGPCNPs are more likely to see older adults. There are also some areas where an FNP may work that a primary care NP would not, such as the emergency department.
AGPCNP-BC vs. AGACNP-BC: What’s the difference?
Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners (AGACNPs) work in acute care hospitals and units, seeing patients who are experiencing injuries, exacerbations of chronic illnesses, and extreme diseases. AGPCNPs may see the same patients once they are well enough to be back at home or in a post-acute setting. Their care goals are more focused on wellness and health promotion, rather than treating life-threatening illnesses.
Both of these board certifications are offered by the ANCC, and they both signify that a nurse has gone through the advanced training and experience requirements to care for adults and older adults as a care provider. The main differences are the setting where they work and the problems they see patients for.
Related Certifications
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (AGACNP-BC)
- Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care (CPNP-PC)
- Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP)
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (WHNP-BC)
- Certified Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP-C)
- Certified Addictions Registered Nurse – Advanced Practice (CARN-AP)
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