ANCC is the world's largest and most prestigious nurse credentialing organization, and a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA).

ANA

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Urgent Announcements
Licensed Adult, Family, and Acute Care Nurse Practitioners who treat older adults can now use alternative eligibility criteria to qualify to sit for ANCC's Gerontological Nurse Practitioner certification exam. Please see the alternative eligibility application on the Gerontological Nurse Practitioner web page for details.

ANCC is making changes to its certification applications and website. Historically ANCC has included description of practice for its active certifications as a service to the public. As nursing and health care undergoes continuous and rapid changes, the description of practices can rapidly become outdated. Therefore, as of January 1, 2010, ANCC will no longer provide a description of practice on its website and/or application brochures. The eligibility requirements and other information will continue to be offered on the application brochures and web site.

Credential Awarded: ACNP-BC

Eligibility Criteria
Do you qualify to sit for this exam?

Initial Certification Application
This application is a typeable PDF. Applicants have the option of saving the application to their own computer, typing in all of the required information, then printing the application, signing where appropriate, and mailing it. Alternately, all applications may be printed out and then filled in by hand in blue or black ink before mailing.

This exam is a computer-based test. This means you can apply all year and test during a 90-day window at a time and location convenient to you. Applications for this certification will be accepted at any time.

Renewal Application
Certifications must be renewed every 5 years. Renewal applications are due at least 3 months before your certification expiration date.

Pricing & Discounts
Initial Certification
Renewal
Applicable To
$390
$350
Non-member
$270
$200
American Nurses Association member
$340
$280
American College of Nurse Practitioners member

Pricing valid for 2008-2010 only—additional fees for special services may apply. See application for details.

Accreditation
This ANCC certification is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies and the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification.


Review Resources

Test Content Outline - expires February 28, 2010
Use this free study aid to see the subject areas that are covered by the exam.

Test Content Outline - effective March 1, 2010
Use this free study aid to see the subject areas that are covered by the exam.

Test Reference List - expires February 28, 2010
Use this free study aid to see the list of references used to build the exam.

Test Reference List - effective March 1, 2010
Use this free study aid to see the list of references used to build the exam.

Sample Test Questions & Answers
To help candidates prepare for the certification exams, ANCC provides FREE short, interactive online sample tests. The sample questions are similar to those on the exams, but do not represent the full range of content or levels of difficulty.

Test Taking Strategies
Has it been a while since you took a test? This refresher course addresses test-taking tricks and tips.

Related Resources

  • General Testing and Renewal Handbook [pdf]
    This document contains all the rules, procedures, and fees pertaining to ANCC board certification.

  • Renewal Application [pdf]
    Certifications must be renewed every 5 years. Renewal applications are due at least 3 months before your certification expiration date. For more information on renewal requirements, please view the section on this web site titled Renew Certification.

  • Acute Care Nurse Practitioner RDS Survey Summary [pdf]
    This report outlines the practice of Acute Care Nurse Practitioner based on the results of a 2008 national study of acute care nurse practitioner practice. The results of this study were used in the updating of the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner test content outline. Role delineation studies are conducted approximately every three years.

  • Volunteer Opportunities
    Interested in volunteering time at ANCC? Learn about our opportunities to become an item writer, nurse ambassador, or join a content expert panel.

  • Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Application - Alternative Criteria [pdf]
    An Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner, or Family Nurse Practitionerholding an active certification and is either licensed or authorized to practice as a nurse practitioner by a state or territory is a candidate for the Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Alternate Eligibility Recognition Examination.

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