Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) – Education, Licensure & Salary
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As people age, they may need specialized care from practitioners with training and experience in aging. Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners (AGNPs) care for patients across their adult lifespan, from young adulthood through old age. AGNPs specialize in the unique needs of each stage of life, allowing them to provide comprehensive, individualized care.
In addition to primary care services, AGNPs often provide case management, care coordination, and health promotion and disease prevention guidance. With their advanced knowledge and skills, AGNPs are essential to the healthcare team, providing high-quality, patient-centered care.
Nurse practitioners in adult-gerontology care will specialize in primary or acute care. Acute care AGNPs typically work in hospital settings, providing care for patients with short-term illnesses or injuries. Primary care AGNPs, on the other hand, work in outpatient settings such as clinics and private practices, where they provide preventive care and treatment for chronic conditions. Both types of AGNPs must have extensive knowledge of normal aging processes and common age-related health problems.
Use the guide below to learn the steps necessary to become an AGNP and the required licensing and certification.
How to Become an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
The process of becoming an AGNP starts with completing a general education nursing program. An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing is necessary to become an AGNP because it provides the necessary foundation in nursing knowledge and skills. The curriculum for these degrees typically includes courses in human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, psychology, and sociology. In addition, nurses must have a strong understanding of the principles of nursing care and be able to administer safe and effective treatments.
Upon completing the program, graduates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) exam. This test must be completed in five hours and consists of 75 to 145 questions. Topics covered include physiological integrity, safe and effective care environment, health promotion and maintenance, and psychosocial integrity.
Once a candidate passes the NCLEX-RN exam, they can apply to become a licensed registered nurse (RN) through their state’s nursing board. Beyond completing a general education nursing program and passing the exam, candidates may be required to provide proof of right to work in the US and pass both a drug screening and background check.
After a year of entry-level work, registered nurses can apply to a master’s of science in nursing or a doctor of nursing practice degree program specializing in adult-gerontology. These programs vary in length from 18 months to three years. Alternatively, if a nurse already has a master’s degree in another field, they can complete a post-master’s certificate in adult-gerontology.
With a graduate degree program in adult-gerontology completed, registered nurses will next need to pass a certification exam offered by either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), or the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) to earn their AGNP credential. They also must apply for state licensure as a nurse practitioner.
What Does an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) Do?
AGNPs often work in hospital settings, such as emergency departments or intensive care units. They may also work in outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, or home health agencies. Job duties will vary based on place of employment, but typical day-to-day tasks can include:
- Providing information on treatment and medications to patients and their families.
- Monitoring treatments and keeping detailed records of patient care.
- Supervising other nurses and hospital staff
- Providing supervision for safety standards, care quality, and patient rights.
- Teaching patients and their caregivers how to manage an illness,
- Collaborating with physicians and healthcare teams to provide comprehensive care to patients
- Prescribing medication
- Conducting research
- Participating in educational activities to maintain certification
How Much Do Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners (AGNP) Make?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2021) classifies AGNPs as nurse practitioners. On average, nurse practitioners earn $118,040 per year. According to Salary.com, a compensation aggregate website, the percentiles for wages for AGNPs are:
- 10th percentile: $86,558
- 25th percentile: $93,146
- 50th percentile (median): $100,381
- 75th percentile: $109,048
- 90th percentile: $116,938
Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) Licensure and Certification Requirements
AGNP Licensing
All AGNPs must be licensed to practice in the state where they provide care. Requirements will vary by state, but most AGNPs are licensed as nurse practitioners (NP) or advanced practice registered nurses (APRN). The most common requirements to be licensed as an NP or APRN include:
- A current, active, and unencumbered registered nursing license
- Complete an accredited master’s, doctorate, or post-master’s program in the chosen specialization
- Pass a background check and drug screening
- Hold an approved national certification
- Submit a completed application with the appropriate application and license fees
AGNP Certifications and Eligibility
National certification as a nurse practitioner is required to obtain a state license. The four primary national certifications AGNPs can obtain are:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGPCNP-BC) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGACNP-BC) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP) through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNPC-AG) through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)
To be eligible for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGPCNP-BC) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), applicants must:
- Have a current, unencumbered, and active registered nursing license
- Complete a master’s, post-graduate certificate, or doctor of nursing practice from an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP) program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), or the National League for Nursing (NLN) Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA)
- The program completed must include 500 hours of supervised clinical experience
- Complete three classes in advanced physiology/pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology
- Provide proof of completed content in health promotion and/or maintenance as well as differential diagnosis and disease management
The requirements to be eligible for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGACNP-BC) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) are:
- Have a current, unencumbered, and active registered nursing license
- Complete a master’s, post-graduate certificate, or doctor of nursing practice from an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP) program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), or the National League for Nursing (NLN) Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA)
- The program completed must include 500 hours of supervised clinical experience
- Complete three classes in advanced physiology/pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology
- Provide proof of completed content in health promotion and/or maintenance as well as differential diagnosis and disease management
To earn the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP) certification through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), applicants must:
- Have a current, unencumbered, and active registered nursing license
- Complete a graduate-level nurse practitioner program in adult-gerontology primary care that includes 500 hours of clinical practice and coursework in advanced physical assessment, advanced pharmacology, and advanced pathophysiology
The American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) eligibility requirements for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNPC-AG) certification are:
- Have a current, unencumbered, and active registered nursing or advanced practice registered nurse license
- Complete a graduate-level degree program in adult-gerontology for acute care nurse practitioners that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) that meets curriculum and clinical experiences requirements
- Pass the AACN ACNPC-AG exam
AGNP Certification Renewal
Both the AGPCNP-BC and AGACNP-BC certifications from the ANCC must be renewed every five years. To be eligible for renewal, certification holders must have a current RN license, current ANCC certification, 75 hours of continuing education, of which 25 must be in pharmacology, and complete one of the eight ANCC certification professional development categories in its entirety.
The AANP AGNP certification is valid for five years. To renew, candidates must have worked 1,000 hours of clinical practice as an adult-gerontology practitioner within a five-year period and provide proof with their renewal application. They must also have 100 hours of continuing education, of which 25 must be in pharmacology, and a current RN or APRN license. Instead of these requirements, candidates may recertify by retaking the AGNP exam.
ACNP-AG certification from the AACN must be renewed every three years. For renewal, certificate holders must have either 1,000 practice hours and 150 continuing education points, 1,000 practice hours along with 25 pharmacology continuing education hours and retake the exam, or 150 continuing education hours and retake the exam.
Kimmy Gustafson
WriterThanks to her experience writing in healthcare, Kimmy Gustafson has delivered in-depth articles on timely topics for NursingColleges.com since 2022. Her aim is to assist both students and professionals in navigating the intricate process of selecting a nursing program and understanding the ever-evolving realm of nursing education.
Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.