Key Takeaways
- ANCC FNP-BC uses 175 total questions with 25 unscored pretest items and a 3.5-hour appointment.
- ANCC reports a 2024 first-time pass rate of 83% for FNP-BC candidates.
- Current domain weighting comes from the ANCC FNP Test Content Outline updated September 4, 2025.
- BLS projects 35% NP employment growth from 2024 to 2034 with 32,700 annual openings.
Last updated: February 2026
ANCC FNP-BC Exam Overview (2026 Prep)
The ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) exam is a computer-based board certification exam for family nurse practitioners practicing across the lifespan.
Current Exam Structure
| Component | Current ANCC Information |
|---|---|
| Total items | 175 |
| Scored items | 150 |
| Unscored pretest items | 25 |
| Time limit | 3.5 hours |
| Format | Computer-based testing |
| Most recent ANCC first-time pass rate published | 83% (2024) |
Domain Weights (ANCC FNP Test Content Outline)
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| Assessment | 19% |
| Diagnosis | 17% |
| Planning | 19% |
| Implementation | 29% |
| Evaluation | 15% |
2026 Career Outlook Snapshot
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 35% growth for nurse practitioner roles from 2024 to 2034, with about 32,700 openings per year and median annual pay of $132,050 (May 2024 wage data).
What This Guide Prioritizes
- Lifespan primary-care clinical reasoning
- Differential diagnosis quality
- Guideline-based treatment planning and follow-up
- Preventive-care screening and risk reduction
- Board-style management sequencing in ambulatory settings
Use this guide with timed practice sets so your content review maps directly to board-style decision-making.
Test Your Knowledge
Which domain carries the highest weight on the ANCC FNP-BC exam outline?
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Test Your Knowledge
How many questions are scored on ANCC FNP-BC?
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