Applicants not meeting the educational criteria set by the Certification Program for admission to sit for its certification examinations may appeal or petition the Commission for a special review.  If the Commission deems that the program of study undertaken by the applicant meets the requirements established for Masters and Post Masters programs of study in the specialty, the applicant will be allowed to sit for the examination listed in the petition.

Procedure

(1).  Applicants desiring to make a special appeal or petition to the Certification Commission to sit for a certifying examination will complete a special petition application and submit it with the required fees and documentation to the Commission of the Certification Program for consideration. Applicants will be required to document both formal didactic course work and clinical experience equal to the Masters, Post Masters or Doctorial program requirements for the specialty being tested in order to be approved to sit for the certification examination.

Nurse practitioners graduating from nurse practitioner programs after the year 2000 are  required to graduate from a Masters,  Post Masters or Doctorial program of study in order to sit for the certification examinations of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program.

(2). The submitted application will be reviewed by the Commission to determine the validity of the appeal and evaluate the applicant’s documentation of didactic and clinical experience to determine the equivalence of the applicant’s course of study to the criteria established for the Masters and Post Masters Programs.  Only applicants who can document an equivalent course of formalized study will be considered in this process.

(3). Applicants who are determined eligible to sit for the examination will be notified in writing by the Commission.  Applicants who are determined not eligible will be notified in writing of their ineligibility and areas for further formalized study including clinical experience will be identified.

For further information regarding requirements contact the AANP Certification Program Office at 512-442-5202.