Your test invitation, or Notice to Schedule (NTS), email from Meazure Learning will have links for you to check your computer system. If you take your test online, it is important to verify that your computer meets the minimum requirements and that you have reliable access to the Internet. An internet connection disruption will suspend the test session. 

IMPORTANT: If taking the test online, you must use a computer on which you have full admin access.

Requirements:

• You must be alone in the room throughout the test
• You are required to have a webcam installed on your test workstation
• PC computers are recommended; however MACs are also acceptable
• Chromebooks, tablets, iPads, dual/multiple monitors, and projectors are not permitted to be used as a testing device
• Your computer must meet the system and equipment requirements listed here

Additional Resources

• Preview the Candidate Experience with ProctorU
• Browse the ProctorU Resource Center 

​If you have computer system questions after following the instructions provided by Meazure Learning's schedule confirmation email, please contact Meazure Learning at +1 919-572-6880 or candidatesupport@meazurelearning.com.

Note: Meazure Learning, Scantron, and ProctorU are all one-and-the-same organization.

• Your valid, government issued photo ID (e.g., driver's license, passport, state-issued ID card) 
• The printed test confirmation notice you received from Meazure Learning
• No other items can be brought into the test environment 
  • A calculator and any other necessary resource materials will be provided on the computer for those taking the test electronically
  • No reference material will be allowed in any test room
  • Please note that storage space will be limited

For all CCST level exams, Units Conversion Tables will be provided to candidates in either paper format (paper/pencil exams) or accessible within the electronic test interface for reference during the exam. Click here to review the Units Conversion Tables.

It is important to be certain when selecting the method and time you want to take the exam. You may incur fees if you change the time and method of testing. Exams must be scheduled in advance as follows: 

• Candidates in the United States and Canada: you must submit your scheduling request at least two calendar days prior to your desired test date
• Candidates in other countries: you must submit your scheduling request at least five calendar days prior to your desired test date

If you are within your test window or eligibility period, you may reschedule your test appointment before the online and Test Center reschedule cut-off times via the online test scheduling system. If you are outside your test window and want to request an extension, please contact certifications@isa.org.

Changing from online test to another online exam

There is no rescheduling fee. However, it must be changed no less than 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment date and time.

Changing from online test to Test Center exam

There is no rescheduling fee. However, it must be changed at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled appointment. Additionally, you must reschedule the new appointment no less than two calendar days in advance of the new appointment at a Meazure Learning test center.

Changing from Test Center test to another Test Center exam

You will incur a rescheduling fee of 50 USD. Rescheduling fees are payable to Meazure Learning via a secure e-commerce site (credit card). The reschedule cut-off time is no later than two calendar days prior to the test appointment. Additionally, if you are scheduling a new online test appointment, it must be done no less than 24 hours prior to the new appointment date and time.

Reschedule Fees:

• ISA members: 76 USD
• Non-members: 95 USD

• ISA members: 120 USD
• Non-members: 150 USD

• ISA members: 108 USD 
• Non-members: 135 USD

• ISA members: 116 USD
• Non-members: 145 USD

You can cancel an test through Meazure Learning's online test scheduling system.

• Online test appointments must be cancelled no less than 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment date and time. There is no cancellation fee
• Exam center appointments must be cancelled no less than two calendar days prior to the scheduled testing appointment. There is a cancellation fee of 50 USD payable to Meazure Learning via a secure e-commerce site (credit card)

You may retest as many times as needed, if you do not pass or if you miss your scheduled exam, within your test window or eligibility period. However, there is a fee each time that is payable to ISA. If you need to retest or have missed your exam, you must submit a request to certification@isa.org.

If a candidate fails their exam, they may retest as many times as needed within their 12-month certification test window or six-month certificate eligibility period. There is a fee each time retesting is needed. If a candidate does not pass the test within the program test deadline, the applicant must reapply for that certification or register again for the certificate course to sit for the exam.

If you fail to appear for a scheduled test or arrive more than 15 minutes after the scheduled start time, you will be considered a no-show and forfeit your exam. However, you may retake a missed test by paying a rescheduling fee to ISA if you are within your test window or eligibility period. To request a rescheduled exam, email certifications@isa.org with your request. See test procedures section #4, Rescheduling an Exam, for reschedule fee costs.

All ISA certification exams are closed-book and have multiple choice questions.  We apply a modified Angoff Method to determine the pass point for each test (learn more about the modified Angoff Method below). Our certification exams last between 3 and 4 hours and our certificate exams last two hours.

ISA does not provide a passing score; you are only notified whether you passed or failed. If you fail an exam, you will receive a score report that lists the domains and indicates the percentage of questions answered correctly within each domain. Note that the percentages are not used to calculate a candidate’s passing score.

You will see your test results on the screen at the completion of the exam. You will also receive your test results immediately via email from (candidatesupport@meazurelearning.com). If you do not receive an email containing your results within 24 hours, please contact Meazure Learning by phone at +1 919-572-6880 or email candidatesupport@meazurelearning.com for assistance. 

If you pass your exam, you will receive an email containing a digital badge from isa_badges@isa.org within one business day of completing the exam. To access, manage, and/or share your secure digital badge, use your email address and password to enter your BadgeCert portfolio. If it is the first time accessing your portfolio or if you have forgotten your password, click “Request new password?” on their login page to create your password. More information about using your digital badge can be found here.

Be advised that we update our databases and systems with the previous month’s test data in the first part of the following month.  ISA will update your credential status on the “My Credentials” tab from your ISA account and in ISA's Credential Directory within the first ten (10) business days of the following month you took your exam.

Modified Angoff Method

The modified Angoff Method uses expert judgements to determine the difficulty level of the exam. The easier the exam, the higher the pass point. Likewise, the more difficult the exam, the lower the pass point. The following is a basic outline of the modified Angoff Method (some details have been omitted):

• A group of subject matter experts (SMEs) independently rate each test question within a given form of the exam. The ratings are defined as the probability, or likelihood, that an acceptably (minimally) competent person with the requisite education and experience will answer the question correctly. An acceptably (minimally) competent person is defined as someone who adequately performs all job functions safely and requires no further training to do so.
• The SMEs review each test question as a group. A statistical consensus is reached for the difficulty rating of each test question.
• After the data is refined, the final step is to calculate the mean, or average, of all the test question ratings. This becomes the overall pass point estimation.

Becoming a nurse practitioner (NP), a type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), requires significant education and training, as well as knowledge, skills and competencies. Aspiring NPs must be licensed registered nurses (RNs), hold a bachelor of science in nursing and complete a masters in nursing or a doctorate of nursing program graduate programs.

The last step on the long journey to becoming an NP is passing a national nursing certification test in your specialization. Passing the right test demonstrates your advanced clinical knowledge and skills and shows employers you can succeed as an NP in your specialty.

Two national organizations, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), offer nurse practitioner certifications. You must pass a board certification test from either AANP or ANCC to become an NP.

NPs specializing in family or adult-gerontology primary care can take either an AANP test or an ANCC exam. For other practice specialties, like psychiatric-mental health, only one organization offers the relevant test and credential.

Learn more about AANP vs. ANCC nursing certifications, and figure out which path is right for you.

AANP vs. ANCC

AANP and ANCC both offer NP certifications and board certification exams. AANP is a membership organization representing more than 121,000 nurse practitioners across North America. Its credentialing arm is the AANP Certification Board (AANPCB), which only offers NP certifications.

ANCC is an offshoot of the American Nurses Association (ANA), a professional group with 4 million members in the United States. ANCC administers certifications to both NPs and registered nurses with an associates degree or bachelor’s degree in nursing.

If you’re pursuing NP certification in family or adult-gerontology primary care, you can do so through AANPCB or ANCC. Other NP specializations do not offer a choice; you must take the relevant certification test from whichever organization offers it.

For example, aspiring emergency nurse practitioners can only pursue certification through AANPCB. NPs seeking to specialize in psychiatric mental health, on the other hand, must earn their credentials through ANCC.

What Is the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)?

AANP created AANPCB, a nonprofit credentialing organization for nurse practitioners, to offer NP certifications in the following specialties:

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP)

AANP members receive a $75 discount on AANPCB certification applications.

Certifications Offered by AANPCB

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP)

The A-GNP certification demonstrates clinical knowledge of adults from age 13 until advanced age and end-of-life. This certification qualifies you for NP licensure specializing in adult patients. A-GNPs have demonstrated expertise and competencies in health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, treatment and management of acute and chronic conditions, and evidence-based practice.

The certification’s competency-based test includes 150 questions, including 15 pre-test questions that do not count toward your score. The test covers assessment, diagnosis, plan and evaluation domains, including questions about all age parameters. Online applications cost $240 for AANP members and $315 for nonmembers. Prices may change over time and discounts may be available for members of specific nursing organizations. Members should check with their association membership offices to see if discounts are applicable.

A-GNP applicants must hold an active RN license. Other eligibility requirements include a minimum of 500 graduate level clinical practicum hours and successful completion of a graduate or postgraduate adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner program at an accredited school of nursing.

To find out more about earning RN licensure, review our guide on how to become an RN.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

The FNP certification qualifies holders to apply for a state license to practice as an FNP offering primary care across the life span, from prenatal patients to older adults.

The competency-based test includes 150 questions (135 scored questions and 15 unscored pretest questions). The test assesses knowledge of various age and practice domains like assessment, evaluation, diagnosis and planning. It covers courses like cultural competence, crisis management, pain management and anatomy.

FNP applicants with AANP memberships pay $240 to apply online, while nonmembers pay $315. Eligibility requirements for the FNP include an active RN license, completion of a graduate or postgraduate family nurse practitioner program at an accredited school and at least 500 clinical hours.

To learn more, see our guide on how to become a family nurse practitioner.

What Is the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)?

As part of ANA, ANCC offers various certifications to help NPs and RNs advance their careers. ANCC’s NP certifications include:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGACNP-BC®)
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGPCNP-BC®)
• Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (FNP-BC™)
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification (PMHNP-BC™)

In addition to providing certifications, ANCC also accredits healthcare organizations that offer or approve continuing education for nurses. ANCC recognizes healthcare organizations that encourage safe and effective nursing practice as well. ANA members can save $100 on ANCC’s NP certification application fees.

NP Certifications Offered by ANCC

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGPCNP-BC)

ANCC’s AGPCNP-BC credential qualifies you to practice as an entry-level adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner. To qualify for the AGPCNP-BC, you must hold RN licensure and pass a national certification exam.

To obtain this credential, you must earn an accredited AGPCNP master’s in nursing, a DNP or a postgraduate certificate including at least 500 supervised clinical hours. Applicants must complete three APRN core graduate courses in advanced physiology or pathophysiology, advanced health assessment and advanced pharmacology.

The Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification provides accreditation for this certification, which requires renewal every five years. For initial certification, ANA members pay $295, and nonmembers pay $395. AANP members, AANP student members and Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) members also receive discounts.

The AGPCNP test assesses competency in clinical knowledge and skills for this specialty. The competency-based test lasts 3.5 hours and includes 175 questions (150 scored and 25 unscored pretest questions). Questions cover the patient assessment process, plan of care and professional practice, spanning different age groups, body systems and drug agents.

You can take ANCC’s Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Readiness Test to assess your preparedness for the official exam. You can use ANCC’s study aids to prepare for the test.

Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (FNP-BC)

ANCC’s FNP-BC credential qualifies you to apply for state licensure to work as a family nurse practitioner. This certification requires renewal every five years.

To earn this credential, you must pass the competency-based FNP-BC test to demonstrate that you have the clinical skills and knowledge necessary for FNP work. The 3.5-hour test includes 175 questions (150 scored questions and 25 unscored pretest questions). test content covers assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation with questions about different age groups, drug agents and body systems.

ANA members pay $295 for initial certification; nonmembers pay $395. AANP members, AANP student members and GAPNA members also receive discounts.

Eligibility requirements for the FNP-BC certification include a current RN license and an FNP master’s, postgraduate certificate or DNP from an accredited school. The FNP program must include 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours. Applicants must also complete three graduate-level APRN core courses covering advanced physiology or pathophysiology, advanced health assessment and advanced pharmacology.

You can take ANCC’s FNP readiness test to assess your test readiness and to get a better idea of what to expect. ANCC also provides other study aids, including sample questions and a test content outline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About AANP vs. ANCC

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Aug. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Decisions, a leading process automation platform that orchestrates business rules, workflows, and artificial intelligence, proudly announced its attainment of System and Organization Controls (SOC) Type 2 + HIPAA certification. This achievement stands as a testament to Decisions' unwavering dedication to the highest standards of data security and privacy for its customers and the HIPAA certification demonstrates Decisions' compliance with the HIPAA Security Rule requirements (Sections 154.308-316), where those requirements are applicable.

The SOC2 Type 2 certification validates Decisions' adherence to industry-recognized standards in security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. The certification process, overseen by the reputable professional services firm, Moss Adams, involved a comprehensive evaluation of Decisions' policies and practices, affirming the company's commitment to continuously Strengthen its data security measures.

The collaborative efforts of various departments, including Security and Compliance, HR, CloudOps, QA, System Administrators, and Development teams, ensured seamless alignment with the trust services criteria and security requirements set forth by SOC2 and HIPAA.

Alongside the SOC2 Type 2 certification, Decisions was also recertified in June 2023 for the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). These certifications exemplify Decisions' dedication to maintaining the highest levels of security and compliance across its operations.

Pravash Mukherjee, the Decisions Director of Technology and Delivery, remarked, "Through this critical milestone, customers can rest assured that at Decisions, we consistently adhere to and enhance policies and practices to assure their data and sensitive information remains safe and protected. Achieving this certification ahead of schedule reflects our dedication to prioritizing data security and privacy without compromising our commitment to excellence."

Customers and partners can expect a heightened level of confidence when working with Decisions, knowing that the company's commitment to data security and privacy is reinforced by the SOC2 Type 2 + HIPAA and PCI DSS certifications. With these certifications, Decisions continues to be a reliable and trustworthy partner for businesses navigating the complexities of the digital landscape.

Looking ahead, Decisions remains committed to upholding SOC2 Type 2 compliance standards and enhancing its security posture and compliance measures. Future initiatives include introducing a platform for dark web scans of Decisions employees, enhancing monitoring of company assets, and implementing automation for gathering compliance evidence.

About Decisions
With the Decisions no-code automation platform you can fix the customer experience, modernize legacy systems, ensure regulatory compliance, and automate anything in your business. We help people who know what to do, get it done, and change their world.

SOURCE Decisions