How to Display Nurse Practitioner Credentials AANP: The Complete Guide

It matters how you display your hard-earned nurse practitioner credentials. Your NP professional credentials show not just your achievements but also your qualifications to patients, colleagues, and employers. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) has guidelines on the proper display of professional accomplishments. 

Understanding Nurse Practitioner Credentials

Credentials of a nurse practitioner represent education, licensure, certifications, and honors. They tell an important story about the professional journey and the qualifications of an NP, which have been earned along the way.  

Typically fall into several categories: 

• Educational degrees
• Professional licensure
• State recognition or designation
• National board certifications
• Additional certifications and honors

Display these according to AANP recommendations.

The Proper Order for NP Credentials

 According to professional standards. credentials nursing professionals should follow this sequence: 

• Most obtained academic degree 
• License 
• State titles or needs 
• National cert 
• Prizes and distinctions 
• Additional acknowledgments 

Let’s explore how to display these according to AANP recommendations. 

Educational Credentials for Nurse Practitioners

Always list your highest nursing degree first. For many nurse practitioners, this might be: 

• DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice)  
• PhD (Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing)  
• MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) 

If you have multiple degrees in various fields, just list your highest degree in each. For instance, “Mary Johnson, DNP, MBA” shows doctoral preparation in nursing and a master’s degree in business administration.  

Requirements for DNP Credentials

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is the terminal degree for the clinical practice education environment of nursing. When used as part of your credentials, it signifies a considerable amount of academic study that has involved: 

• Completion of a DNP program that has received CCNE or ACEN accreditation 
• Leadership, healthcare policy, and evidence-based practice in advanced coursework 
• A scholarly project wherein the candidate demonstrated mastery over the particular subject area 
• Typically,1,000+ post-BSN clinical hours 

 As part of your display of credentials, the DNP credential should always precede it in order and sequence it before licensure credentials.  

Licensure and State Designation

Below your highest academic degree, list your licensure: 

• APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) 
• RN (Registered Nurse) 

The following licensure; some may apply state-specific designations: 

• NP (Nurse Practitioner) 
• FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner) 
• AGNP (Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner) 
• PMHNP (Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner) 

National Certification Credentials

National certification credentials follow state designations and validate your specialized knowledge and clinical competence. Common NP certification credentials include: 

• FNP-C (Family Nurse Practitioner-Certified by AANP) 
• FNP-BC (Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified by ANCC) 
• AGNP-C (Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner-Certified) 
• PMHNP-BC (Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified) 

“C” typically means certified by AANP and BC by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).  

Examples of Properly Displayed NP Credentials

Below are examples in which proper credential display follows AANP guidelines: 

• Sarah Johnson, MSN, APRN, FNP-C 
• Michael Chen, DNP, APRN, AGNP-BC, FAANP 
• Jennifer Williams, PhD, APRN, PMHNP-BC 
• Robert Garcia, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, ENP-C 

This standardized format should easily show the full qualifications of each nurse practitioner, from level of education to area of specialized certifications.  

When and Where to Display Your NP Credentials

Your credentials should appear in several professional contexts: 

Professional Settings

• Name badges and office signage 
• Business cards 
• Professional email signatures 
• Letterhead and correspondence 
• Legal and medical documentation 
• Professional directory listings 
• Academic publications 
• Conference presentations 

Digital Presence

• Professional social media profiles (LinkedIn, etc.)  
• Practice websites 
• Online healthcare directories  
• Professional forum signatures  

The Importance of Accurate Credential Display

Using the correct order for your NP qualifications serves several important purposes:  

Professional Recognition

Your credentials instantly communicate your level of education, certification, and expertise to others in the healthcare field.  

Legal Compliance

In many states, displaying appropriate credentials is legally required when providing patient care or signing medical documents.  

Patient Education

Properly displayed credentials help patients understand your qualifications and role in their healthcare team.  

Professional Advancement

Clear presentation of your credentials highlights your qualifications when applying for new positions, promotions, or professional opportunities.  

Maintaining Your Credentials

Showing credentials comes with the duty of keeping them: 

• Keep all licenses and certifications up to date 
• Finish required continuing education 
• Renew certifications before they expire 
• Update displayed credentials when new ones are earned 

Credentials show not past achievement but ongoing commitment to professional excellence. 

Conclusion

Following AANP guidelines for displaying nurse practitioner credentials ensures you present your professional qualifications accurately and consistently. While the letters after your name will evolve throughout your career as you earn additional certifications and degrees, maintaining proper credential order demonstrates your professionalism and attention to detail. 

NP credentials represent years of academic study, clinical training, and specialization. Displaying them honors the work you’ve invested in your career and clearly communicates your qualifications to patients and colleagues alike. 

Whether you are a new graduate or experienced practitioner, presenting your credentials properly shows commitment to professional standards and the quality care you provide as a nurse practitioner.

Common Questions About NP Credentials

Should I list all my nursing degrees?

Only the highest degree in nursing is generally listed. However, if degrees in other fields apply more directly to your practice, they can be listed.  

What if I’m certified by both AANP and ANCC?

If you have dual certification, you may list both, usually with the AANP credential first (e.g., FNP-C, FNP-BC).  

Should I include my RN license when I already have APRN?

Some practitioners put both (APRN, RN), while others put only APRN assuming RN licensure. Check your state’s preference or requirements.  

How do I display credentials if I have multiple specialties?

List all certs, with main area first. Like this: DNP, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC.