Certification & Certification Renewal
News and Announcements

ANCC Updates Nursing Administration Certifications and Credentials

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) is changing the names of its Nursing Administration certification exams and updating the credentials to bring them in line with contemporary health care culture and terminology. The new names for these exams are Nurse Executive and Nurse Executive, Advanced. The changes are effective immediately.
(PDF: 45KB)

ANCC DNP Survey Now Available

Share your feedback on implications of the Doctorate of Nursing Practice on nurse credentialing. Additional details and links to the survey are available for review.
(PDF: 36KB)

ANCC Announces New Credentials for Advanced Practice Nurses Effective January 2008

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Commission on Certification (COC) has officially announced ANCC’s new advanced practice credentials for clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) and nurse practitioners (NPs). The previous credential, APRN,BC (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Board Certified) is retired effective January 1, 2008.

CNS Credentials

The new ANCC credential for the advanced practice role of clinical nurse specialist (CNS) will be CNS-BC. (Clinical Nurse Specialist – Board Certified). In order to keep consistent with the Nurse Practitioner (NP) credential released in January 2008 and outlined below, the individual specialty will be annotated in front of the CNS. Examples of this would be:

• ACNS-BC (Adult CNS - Board Certified)
• GCNS-BC (Gerontological CNS - Board Certified)
• HHCNS-BC (Home Health CNS - Board Certified)
• PCNS-BC (Pediatric CNS - Board Certified)
• PMHCNS-BC (Psychiatric Mental Health CNS - Board Certified) - used for both Child/Adolescent and Adult

This change has been supported by the major CNS stakeholder organizations, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA), the International Society of Psychiatric Nurses (ISPN), and the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS). ANCC worked closely with these groups to assure that all issues and perspectives were considered. It was also supported by a majority of certified CNSs, who were given the chance to submit their feedback in an ANCC survey which was posted on the NACNS website.

One concern some CNSs had was that the change could undermine their status as advanced practice nurses. According to Kelly A. Goudreau DSN, RN, CNS, Immediate Past President of NACNS, “the CNS role is best served by a unique credential that differentiates the CNS role from that of other advanced practice nurses. In some states, the CNS role is not recognized and state boards allow the NP to practice as a CNS. This trend poses a challenge to the continuation of the unique CNS role. NACNS and ANCC support the independence and continued recognition of the CNS as a separate and distinct advanced practice role. The new CNS-BC credentials will help to highlight this important distinction” while still recognizing the specialty practice of the CNS.

NP Credentials

The new credentials for ANCC-certified nurse practitioners will be NP-BC (nurse practitioner-board certified) preceded by a letter indicating the particular specialty, i.e.:

• Family Nurse Practitioner	FNP-BC
• Adult Nurse Practitioner	ANP-BC
• Acute Care Nurse Practitioner	ACNP-BC
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner	PNP-BC
• Gerontological Nurse Practitioner	GNP-BC
• Family Psych and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner	PMHNP-BC
(Family will be on the certificate and can be added if desired)
• Adult Psych and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner	PMHNP-BC
(Adult will be on the certificate and can be added if desired)

Implementation of New Advanced Practice Credentials

ANCC’s new advanced practice credentials go into effect January 1, 2008. ANCC will notify state boards of nursing and other stakeholders of this change. Furthermore, all ANCC-certified NPs and CNSs will receive an updated certificate by mail during the second quarter of 2008, with the new credentials clearly stated. ANCC hopes this will help to avoid or overcome any potential confusion or difficulty.

A FAQ is available for further questions.

December 21, 2007

Pain Management and Psych M/H Nursing Exams Moving to Computer-Based Testing January 2, 2008

The Pain Management exam and the Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse exam will be moved to computer-based testing (CBT) effective January 2, 2008. This has several implications.

For CBT exams, once the applicant is found eligible, he or she will receive an authorization-to-test number (ATT #), and a 90-day window in which to both schedule and take the exam. (Locations for ANCC CBT exam centers can be found on the Prometric website.) It is important that certification candidates have their study plan prepared by the time they submit their application (or soon after). A study plan should include, at a minimum, review of the test content outline, sample questions, and test references, free resources provided by ANCC. It may also include in-person seminars, online courses, manuals and/or other materials. Many of these can be found on the ANCC website listed under the heading, exam preparation resources.

Pain Management exam preparation materials can be found on the web site of ANCC's collaborator, the American Society for Pain Management Nursing (ASPMN).

ASPMN, APNA, ISPN and ANA members receive a discount for certification and renewal.

Exams administered by CBT provide many benefits to the board certification candidates, including:

December 20, 2007

Advanced Diabetes Management Exams to be Combined into One Exam

The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Commission on Certification, in collaboration with the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE), will introduce a new Advanced Diabetes Management examination that combines the four current diabetes examinations for Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Dieticians, and Pharmacists. The new examination will focus on the common knowledge, skill, and ability of each specialty in the delivery of care by the practitioners of Advanced Diabetes Management. ANCC and AADE continue to support the interdisciplinary nature of Advanced Diabetes Management care and view the decision to combine the current examinations as a continued commitment to this approach.

ANCC will finalize the Test Content Outline for the new examination, and conduct various examination development meetings in 2008, with the goal of introducing the new examination in July of 2009. ANCC plans to discontinue the current Advanced Diabetes Management examinations for Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Dieticians, and Pharmacists shortly before introduction of the new combined examination. Please note that ANCC will continue to offer certification renewal for those certified by the current examinations. At this point in time the certification credential associated with the combined examination will very likely remain the same as presently, i.e. BC-ADM. ANCC will continue to update stakeholders as more information becomes available.

December 19, 2007

ANCC/NACNS Seeking Volunteers to Serve as Item Test Writers for the New Core Clinical Nurse Specialist Examination

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) are developing a new certification examination that will serve as a core certification examination for clinical nurse specialists. The examination will cover core competencies that are common across clinical nurse specialties. This examination is intended for CNSs practicing in specialty areas for which no certification examination is available at the present time. Applicants who pass the examination will be certified by ANCC in critical elements of CNS practice. This examination will serve as a foundation upon which to build a specialty component through portfolio or other methods of recognition of a specialty.

ANCC/NACNS are currently seeking applicants interested in serving as Item Writers. Items writers are practicing clinical nurse specialists who write high-quality test questions to be used on the new certification examination. Item writers serve a one year term, which may be renewed for a second year. During each one year term, item writers commit to writing 70 high quality test items. more>>

November 27, 2007

ANCC/NACNS Seeks Volunteers To Serve On Panel for Core Clinical Nurse Specialist Exam

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) are pleased to announce the development of a new certification examination that would serve as a core certification examination for clinical nurse specialists. The examination will cover core competencies that are common across clinical nurse specialties. This examination is intended for clinical nurse specialists for whom a CNS level specialty certification examination is not available. Applicants who pass the examination will be certified by ANCC in core CNS practice competencies. This examination is intended to serve as a mechanism for certification when paired with methodology to recognize specialty nursing practice (e.g., specialty exam, portfolio).

One of the first steps in the test development process is the formation of a content expert panel composed of members who represent different specialties within the CNS practice. The initial panel shall consist of ten (10) members: one-half of the members selected by ANCC and one-half by NACNS. The term on the panel shall be staggered from two to five years.

ANCC and NACNS are currently seeking applicants interested to serve on the content expert panel. Criteria classifications embrace current and former positions, educational levels, geographic locations and other categories. ANCC ensures the broadest representation possible from an expertise, setting and geographic standpoint.

Initial test development shall require meeting at the ANCC headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland four (4) times between February 2008 and December 2008. The proposed meeting dates are:

• February 13-15 ;
• May 12-14 ;
• July 7-9 ; and
• December 10-12 .

Each meeting shall last three full days (Mon-Wed or Wed – Fri). The primary purpose of the February meeting is to develop the test blueprint (test content outline). The May, July and December meetings are to review and approve test items written by item writers.

Individuals who serve on the panel will receive ANCC Core CNS certification without having to take the examination. Additionally, panel members receive a reduction in contact hours toward their renewal of ANCC Core CNS certification.

Travel expenses shall be borne by the organization selecting the panel member. We look forward to your interest in this important project to advance the clinical nurse specialist profession.

The application deadline is December 5, 2007. If you would like to submit an application to join the Core CNS Content Expert Panel, please complete the Biographical Form for Appointment application and send to

ANCC
ATTN: Certification Services Volunteer Liaison
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 400
Silver Spring , Maryland 20910

or send an email message with a request for information about the Core CNS exam to ANCCVolunteer@ana.org.

November 27, 2007

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Calling for Comments

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is providing all stakeholders with the opportunity to comment on the current Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs (October 2003). Comments must be received at the CCNE offices by November 30, 2007.

The standards by which CCNE evaluates baccalaureate and master’s degree nursing programs for accreditation are being revised to accommodate the review of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs as well as baccalaureate and master’s degree nursing programs. Please take advantage of this important opportunity to comment on the standards used in the national nursing accreditation process. The standards can be viewed via the following link.

Comments may be directed at the standards in their entirety or at any individual standard or key element. Please be specific in offering your comments, including specific language you would like to see incorporated, deleted, or amended in the Standards. Note that there will be an additional opportunity to comment once the proposed standards are developed.

Send comments via e-mail to lcooperm@aacn.nche.edu or fax to 202-887-8476. Alternatively, mail comments to: Libby Cooperman, CCNE Executive Administrative Assistant, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036.

November 12, 2007

Position Statement on Competence and Competency Released

ANA has released their draft, Position Statement on Competence and Competency, and will accept stakeholder feedback on this important statement through November 30, 2007. Feedback may be submitted to Carol Bickford. The purpose of this position paper is to define competence and competency within the context of current and projected professional directions. This position statement also identifies principles addressing competence in the nursing profession. Initiatives such as the development of the scope and standards of nursing practice, creation of educational curricula, formulation of a research agenda, and revision of the model nurse practice act and other regulatory requirements demand that ANA take a position on this important nursing issue.

November 7, 2007

'ANCC Directory of Board Certified Nurses' Under Development with ANCC Partner, Harris Connect

ANCC is currently developing the 2008 ANCC Commission on Certification Directory of Board Certified Nurses, in partnership with its trusted partner, Harris Connect, Inc. Harris Connect has developed two previous certification directories for ANCC (1999 and 2002). Harris Connect has an excellent reputation, and excellent security protocols.

ANCC-certified nurses will be contacted by email, postal mail and phone over the next several months in order to fully update information on ANCC-certified nurses. The Directory is a benefit for ANCC-certified nurses only; no other party is permitted to use or purchase the directory other than ANCC-certified nurses and ANCC staff. The Directory will be shipped to ANCC board certified nurses that choose to order it, in the fall of 2008.

By updating their information, ANCC-certified nurses will be assured that they will receive future important communications regarding their certification and renewals. After updating the information, the opportunity is provided to selectively hide any information that the board certified nurse may prefer to keep hidden.

October 31, 2007

ANCC Announces Next Generation Certification Exam and Credential for Nursing Administrators

The ANCC Nursing Administration, Advanced Content Expert Panel (CEP) is currently meeting at ANCC headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, to begin the scheduled update of its exam. This panel has embarked on a process to capture the latest scope of work for nurse executives which encompasses current standards and national competencies, and concepts related to the role of the nurse executive in supporting and fostering the Magnet™ environment.

For additional details, see the communiqué. >>

September 26, 2007

Alternative Eligibility Criteria for Gerontological NPs: Update

ANCC hosted a meeting of experts, April 2–3 2007, to consider the development of alternative eligibility criteria for Gerontological NPs. A summary of the meeting discussion was posted here on May 21, 2007, seeking comments from NPs and other stakeholders. We would like to express our thanks to all those who took the time to respond. The issue of alternative eligibility criteria for Gerontological NPs has been placed on the agenda of the Commission on Certification (COC), for their November 2007 meeting. Barring unforeseen developments, you may expect a decision on this issue to be announced in January 2008. >>

August 30, 2007

Winners of Recent ANCC Booth Raffles
Spring – Summer 2007

When you visit the ANCC booth at trade shows and meetings in which we participate (see schedule), you have the opportunity to drop a card in our lucky box to win a valuable ANCC prize; please be sure to visit us if you attend a meeting at which we are exhibiting. Generally the prizes awarded are free certification, free certification renewal and/or a free exam preparation course (which can be used to prepare for an exam or for CE contact hours.

Recent winners include the following:

• Felicia Caldwell of Coatesville, Indiana won a free Narrated On-Line Review Course in our raffle at the AANP National Conference June 23, 2007.

• Terri Adell, a Case Manager at Stony Brook University Hospital in Centerreach, New York, won a free certification in the raffle at the Case Management Society of America (CMSA) annual meeting. Terri is already certified by CCM; that means that with a current RN license that she is eligible for Reciprocity from ANCC, and can receive a free ANCC Nursing Case Management Certification without the need to test. Increasing numbers of CCM-certified nurses are turning to ANCC for Reciprocity, as they realize that a case management certification created for nurses, by nurses, better meets their professional and personal needs.

• Claudia Martinez, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, who works for Evercare, won a free Certification Review Course at our raffle at the National Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Symposium in Keystone, Colorado, July 12 – 15, 2007. Claudia had already applied for an ANCC Certification Exam as an FNP, so the free review course will definitely give her exam preparation a jump start.

• Lisa Keill, of Powell Wyoming, was the winner a free Medical-Surgical Certification from the ANCC Raffle at the Lippincott Nursing 2007 Symposium. Lisa works at Powell Valley Healthcare. As Lisa joins the ranks of board certified nurses Powell Valley Healthcare is also a winner.

• Nimia Baldonadi, of White Plains, New York was the winner of a free ANCC Narrated PowerPoint Review Course at the AACN-NTI Conference 2007

• Renee Maynes of Lebanon, New Hampshire won a free ANCC Ambulatory Care Nursing certification at the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nurses Conference in Las Vegas Nevada, March 29 – April 1, 2007. Renee works at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.

• Sue Bjorgaard, of Chesapeake, Virginia, who works at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughter in Norfolk, VA was the winner of a free ANCC Pediatric Nursing Certification in the raffle at the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nurses Conference in Las Vegas Nevada, April 1, 2007. Sue has been working as pediatric nurse for 24 years. She started, she said, 26 years ago when everyone began their career in Med-Surg. Sue had been planning on achieving certification for some time, so winning the raffle was a wonderful surprise for her.

• Donna Libby, of Portland Maine was the winner of a free renewal of her ANCC Nursing Administration Certification, in the raffle at the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) 40 th Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, April 12 - 16 2007. Donna works at the Maine Medical Center.

• Nancy Street , an assistant professor at Regis College in Massachusetts, won a free renewal of her ANCC Pediatric NP Certification at the ANCC raffle at the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty (NONPF) 33rd Annual Meeting, Moving Mountains: Evolution in NP Education, which was held April 12-15, 2007 in Denver, Colorado. Nancy is a full-time doctoral student and practicing Pediatric NP, in addition to her faculty position. Nancy has been a PNP for 22 years. She is “real proud to have the ANCC certification,” she said. “Professionally it is the certification I am proud to hold.”

July 26, 2007

Diane Thompkins, Assistant Director of ANCC Certification Services, Elected New Representative to the Accreditation Council of ABNS

ANCC is pleased to announce that Diane Thompkins, RN, MSN, was elected to the Accreditation Council of the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) at the spring 2007 ABNS Assembly Meeting. Thompkins will assume her new position beginning July 1, 2007, and will serve a two year term of office. Diane will follow in the foot steps of Mary Smolenski, EdD, APRN, BC, FAANP, CAE who ends her second term on the Council on June 30, 2007. This succession will keep ANCC actively involved in the accreditation arena. >>

Perinatal Exam Retired

The Perinatal Certification Exam has been retired** (i.e. it is no longer offered); the last administration of the exam was on May 19, 2007. More >>

Renewing Your Certification in 2007?

If so, it is very important that you consider now whether your state board of nursing, your employer, or reimburser(s) will need confirmation of your certification renewal! If so, please submit your certification renewal application to ANCC as soon as possible.

More >>

Raffle Winner at ASPMN 2007 Conference, Announced

Nancy Sanks, BSN, MSN, RN, a member of the Acute Pain Management Team at Duke University Medical Center, and part of the center's Stress Management Group, won a free initial certification from ANCC in Pain Management Nursing.

ANCC held a raffle at the American Society of Pain Management Nurses (ASPMN) 2007 Conference, and Nancy was the lucky winner; the conference dealt with such subjects as strategies to strengthen the position of the professional nurse in pain management in the changing healthcare environment, sharing nursing research related to pain management, and discussing a multidisciplinary approach to the practice of pain management.

In the ANCC 2006 Pain Management Survey, 85% of respondents noted that their accomplishment in achieving Pain Management Certification gave them greater confidence to be an advocate for patients in managing their pain. Over half said that certification had improved their relationships with physicians. 68% said it had helped (or would help) them in leading pain management-related change initiatives in their facility, and 51% reported that they had been officially designated as a pain management resource in their facility, based on their accomplishing certification.

Congratulations Nancy, on winning a free opportunity to join these leaders in pursuing nursing excellence!

Raffle Winner at NACNS 2007 Conference, Announced

Teresa G. Leon, MSN APRN,BC, an ANCC-certified Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist from Las Cruces, New Mexico, won a free certification renewal at the NACNS conference in Phoenix, Arizona March 3, 2007. Teresa works at New Mexico State University.

ANCC held a raffle at the NACNS 2007 Conference, ‘CNS Outcomes: Ensuring Safety and Quality' and Teresa was the lucky winner; when her certification is due for renewal in 2008 she will not need to worry about writing a check.

Congratulations Teresa!

ANCC Board Certified Nurses in the News

ANCC is proud to announce that many of its certified nurses were recipients of various awards and recognitions. From Nurse of the Year, to the 2006 Public Health Nurse Creative Achievement Award, to becoming Fellows at the Office of the US Surgeon General, to an appearance in the Washington Post, ANCC would like to offer its congratulations to these nurses and their achievements. More >>

ANCC Receives Nursing Certification Award

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has been honored with the prestigious Janel Parker Presidents Award, which recognizes significant contributions to specialty nursing certification. The award, which is given every two years, was presented by the American Board of Nursing Specialties’ (ABNS) at its fall 2006 Assembly Meeting. More >>

ANCC Launches New Professional Development Resources Webpage

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has launched new Staff Development Resources and Faculty Resources pages on its website. These web pages group the key resources that are helpful for staff development personnel, faculty, and education coordinators in two easy-to-access locations. More >>

Attention Certified Nurses - Seeking Content Expert Panel Volunteers

There are over 30 certification exam areas at ANCC. We are looking for all specialty areas but the current need for new volunteer members is in the areas of Pediatric Nurse, Informatics Nurse, and Ambulatory Care Nurse. More >>

ANCC Now Offers Nursing Informatics Certification in Canada

ANCC is now offering the Nursing Informatics Certification to Canadian nurses. The exam, which is administered through computer-based-testing (CBT), is available at Thompson Prometric test sites in Canada. More >

International Testing Option for Military Nurses and Those Working Overseas

Entering the new year, ANCC will be offering international testing options for military nurses in an effort to better serve the needs of America's nurses working overseas. More >>

Volunteers Sought for National-Level Nursing Leadership

Would you like to play a key role in policy decisions, business development and oversight of nursing certification exams here at ANCC? We are currently accepting applications for a seat on the ANCC Commission on Certification (COC). More >>

Certification and the Practice Doctorate in Nursing

On October 25, 2004, member institutions of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) voted to move the current level of preparation necessary for advanced nursing practice roles from the master's degree to the doctorate level by the year 2015; click here to read the position statement and press release. There is some misunderstanding that the American Nurses Credentialing Center has also made a decision to require the Practice Doctorate in Nursing by 2015 as the educational requirement to sit its advanced practice exams. Please be assured that this is not the case; ANCC has not made any decision at this time to require the Practice Doctorate in Nursing for eligibility to sit its nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist exams. ANCC will work with other certifying bodies, regulators, licensing bodies, and specialty organizations, along with AACN, as the Practice Doctorate is implemented in the future to determine its impact and the need for any changes in requirements.

This page last revised 12/21/2007.