ANCC AGPCNP-BC Certification Exam Syllabus

ANCC AGPCNP-BC syllabus for ANCC Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (AGPCNP-BC) preparation

Welcome to the official MedicoExam syllabus guide for the ANCC Adult-Gerontology PRIMARY Care Nurse Practitioner certification. This page delivers a clear, structured overview of the ANCC AGPCNP-BC exam, including key exam details, syllabus topics, and preparation references to support effective study planning. The ANCC Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (AGPCNP-BC) is intended for professionals pursuing roles aligned with Nurse Practitioner, with assessment centered on applied competencies such as Primary care assessment, Clinical decision-making, Chronic disease management within real-world settings like Primary care clinics, Community health centers, Outpatient healthcare settings and related settings.

The syllabus outline below reflects the core domains and expectations defined by the official ANCC certification framework and aligns with the cognitive and professional standards assessed in the ANCC AGPCNP-BC exam. Candidates can use this guide alongside official vendor resources and structured practice to align their preparation with current exam standards and professional expectations for Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Primary Care Provider and related roles

ANCC AGPCNP-BC Exam Summary and Key Details

Exam Name	ANCC Adult-Gerontology PRIMARY Care Nurse Practitioner Certification
Credential	ANCC Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (AGPCNP-BC)
Vendor	American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Exam Code	AGPCNP-BC » ANCC AGPCNP-BC Certification Practice Exam
Exam Delivery Mode	Computer-based testing (CBT) at Prometric testing centers or via live remote proctoring
Exam Duration	210 mins
Number of Questions	175 (150 Scored Items / 25 Pretest Items)
Passing Score	350 (on a scale of 0-500)
Exam Price	Non-member - $395 Members - $295
Scheduling Window	Typically within 90 days after application approval
Schedule Exam	Prometric
Sample Questions	ANCC AGPCNP-BC Exam Sample Questions
Recommended Practice	ANCC AGPCNP-BC Certification Practice Exam

ANCC AGPCNP-BC Exam Syllabus Topics and Weighting

Topic Areas	Topic Details, Courses, Books	Weighting
Patient Assessment Process	A. Assessment Knowledge of: 1. Differentiation between normal and pathophysiological changes Skill in: 2. Comprehensive health history collection (eg, medical, surgical, medication, family/genetic) 3. Physical examination 4. Functional assessment (eg, ADLs, IADLs, DME) 5. Psychosocial assessment (eg, health literacy, lifestyle, nutritional, caregiver/support, cultural, spiritual) 6. Cognitive and mental health assessment (eg, screening tools)	24%
Plan of Care	A. Diagnosis Knowledge of: 1. Evidence-based practice and treatment guidelines 2. Effects of development and aging on physiology and pathophysiology Skill in: 3. Synthesis of assessment findings and differential diagnosis development 4. Laboratory and diagnostic test selection and results interpretation B. Pharmacology Knowledge of: 1. Effects of development and aging on pharmacology (eg, Beers criteria, physiological considerations) 2. Pharmacogenetics (eg, responses to medications) 3. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics Skill in: 4. Pharmacotherapeutic decision making 5. Pharmacology management (eg, reconciliation, monitoring, interactions, side effects, polypharmacy, deprescribing, allergies) C. Implementation and Evaluation Knowledge of: 1. Behavioral change (eg, motivational interviewing, models, theories) 2. Advance care planning 3. Palliative and hospice care Skill in: 4. Non-pharmacologic intervention selection (eg, procedures, referrals) 5. Chronic condition management (eg, consideration of comorbidities and treatment) 6. Education and counseling (eg, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment options) 7. Reassessment and modification of treatment plan	60%
Professional Practice	A. Professional Practice Knowledge of: 1. Scope of practice and regulatory guidelines 2. Legal and ethical issues (eg, consent, assent, privacy, advocacy, abuse, exploitation, neglect) 3. Environmental and social determinants of health, including principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion 4. Health promotion and disease prevention (eg, population health, epidemiology)	16%

Topic Areas

Topic Details, Courses, Books

Weighting

Patient Assessment Process

A. Assessment

Knowledge of:

1. Differentiation between normal and pathophysiological changes

Skill in:

2. Comprehensive health history collection (eg, medical, surgical, medication, family/genetic)
3. Physical examination
4. Functional assessment (eg, ADLs, IADLs, DME)
5. Psychosocial assessment (eg, health literacy, lifestyle, nutritional, caregiver/support, cultural, spiritual)
6. Cognitive and mental health assessment (eg, screening tools)

24%

Plan of Care

A. Diagnosis

Knowledge of:

1. Evidence-based practice and treatment guidelines
2. Effects of development and aging on physiology and pathophysiology

Skill in:

3. Synthesis of assessment findings and differential diagnosis development
4. Laboratory and diagnostic test selection and results interpretation

B. Pharmacology

Knowledge of:

1. Effects of development and aging on pharmacology (eg, Beers criteria, physiological considerations)
2. Pharmacogenetics (eg, responses to medications)
3. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics

Skill in:

4. Pharmacotherapeutic decision making
5. Pharmacology management (eg, reconciliation, monitoring, interactions, side effects, polypharmacy, deprescribing, allergies)

C. Implementation and Evaluation

Knowledge of:

1. Behavioral change (eg, motivational interviewing, models, theories)
2. Advance care planning
3. Palliative and hospice care

Skill in:

4. Non-pharmacologic intervention selection (eg, procedures, referrals)
5. Chronic condition management (eg, consideration of comorbidities and treatment)
6. Education and counseling (eg, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment options)
7. Reassessment and modification of treatment plan

60%

Professional Practice

A. Professional Practice

Knowledge of:

1. Scope of practice and regulatory guidelines
2. Legal and ethical issues (eg, consent, assent, privacy, advocacy, abuse, exploitation, neglect)
3. Environmental and social determinants of health, including principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion
4. Health promotion and disease prevention (eg, population health, epidemiology)

16%

The ANCC AGPCNP-BC certification exam is designed to assess both theoretical knowledge and applied professional judgment in Nurse Practitioner. The exam evaluates competencies such as Primary care assessment, Clinical decision-making, Chronic disease management, ensuring candidates are prepared for real-world responsibilities as Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Primary Care Provider and related roles working in settings such as Primary care clinics, Community health centers, Outpatient healthcare settings and related settings.

To prepare effectively for the ANCC Adult-Gerontology PRIMARY Care Nurse Practitioner Certification exam, candidates are encouraged to review official vendor materials, complete structured practice assessments, and gain hands-on experience relevant to their professional role.