The purpose of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Program is to provide a valid and reliable program for entry-level nurse practitioners to recognize their education, knowledge and professional expertise.  The Academy Certification Program provides a process for validation of an advanced practice nurse's qualifications and knowledge for practice as a nurse practitioner.

The National Certification Program was established as a certification body for the evaluation of individuals who wish to enter, continue and/or advance in the profession through the certification process.  The certification program is an independent incorporated non-profit organization.

Those certified (referred to as certificants) have successfully completed the required certification process, which includes meeting certain educational requirements, passing a certification test verifying professional knowledge in the specialty, and maintaining continued competency in the profession through an established recertification process. Certificants of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program subscribe to the scope and standards of practice established by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.