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Frequently Asked Questions
About Certification and Certification Renewal

On Certification

On Certification Renewal

General

Q. What is the value of certification?
A. Certification protects the public by enabling anyone to identify competent people more readily. Simultaneously it aids the profession by encouraging and recognizing professional achievement. Certification also recognizes specialization, enhances professionalism and, in some cases, serves as a criterion for financial reimbursement. It may also foster an enlarged role within the employment setting. Because certification of nursing practice signifies attainment of specific criteria and knowledge, skills, and abilities in a specific specialty field, certified nurses comprise a minority of the professional nurse population. <top>

Q. How many nurses have been certified by ANCC?
A. More than a quarter million nurses have been certified by ANCC since 1991. Approximately 75,000 advanced practice nurses are currently certified by ANCC. <top>

Q. How are nurses certified by ANCC?
A. Before nurses can sit for a certification examination, they must demonstrate that they hold active RN licenses, have the appropriate education, and, for all but nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists, have experience in the specialty field. Those who have met the eligibility requirements can then register to take the certification examination.

Each exam is designed by certified nurses in the specialty under the guidance of a professional psychometrician who ensures that all tests are psychometrically sound and legally defensible. Tests are based on the scope and standards of practice approved by the American Nurses Association Congress of Nursing Practice and Economics. The paper-and-pencil tests generally are given twice each year at many locations around the United States and at military installations abroad. Most Clinical Nurse Specialist and all Nurse Practitioner, Informatics Nursing, Cardiac/Vascular, and Gerontological examinations can be taken at the candidate's convenience because they are computer-based. <top>

Q. When are exams given?
A. ANCC administers nearly 30 specialty and advanced practice certification examinations each year. ANCC certification exams are administered by authorized testing agencies at locations across the country. The exams are given in either computer-based or paper-and-pencil format. Paper-and-pencil exams are generally given twice a year. Dates for the computer-based exams will be sent to applicants by the authorized testing agency. <top>

Q: How to I order Review Manuals?
A. You can order the review manuals in our Bookstore. <top>

Q: How do attendees register for seminars and workshops?
A. If you want to register for the seminars and workshops, go here. <top>

Certification Renewal Questions

Q. Is continuing medical education (CME) accepted by ANCC for certification renewal?
A. Yes. One CME = 1.0 contact hours. <top>

Q. If I am certified in more than one specialty area, can I use the same contact hours for both certifications when I recertify?
A. Yes, but the majority (51%) of the continuing education credits submitted must be directly related to your area of certification. <top>

Q. What kinds of academic courses can I use for certification renewal?
A. It must be in your area of certification. <top>

Q. I am certified as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Health and I precept nursing students in a baccalaureate program two days a week, can I count this time toward meeting Category 5 (preceptorship) professional development requirements for certification renewal?
A. No. You must precept nursing students in the same role and specialty as your certification. <top>

Q. Can I use self-study and journals for my contact hours?
A. Independent study that is approved for continuing education credits may be used for 100% of the hours required for certification renewal. <top>

Q. Do contact hours need to be approved or accredited by a national organization?
A. As of January 1, 2003, 50% of your contact hours must be provided by an ANCC accredited or approved provider. Please see our list of ANCC Accredited providers and approvers. <top>

Q. How far in advance of my certifcation renewal date must I submit my application?
A.Please submit it no later than ten weeks before your renewal date. This allows timely processing of your application, and if necessary provides you with the opportunity to submit any additional information and avoid a lapse. If you will renew by retesting, please start the process a year in advance of your renewal date. <top>

Q. Does ANCC send reminders when it is time for me to renew?
A. While we will make every effort to contact you by email or other means, ultimately it is your professional responsibility to renew your certification on time. Your renewal dates should be included as part of your personal professional development plan. <top>

Q. How can I make sure you know how to reach me (have my correct email/mailing address)?
A.You can use ANCC Online to verify and update your personal information in real time. Please update your information anytime your email or home address changes. This link can also be accessed from our main webpage at www.nursecredentialing.org. <top>

Q. Why do I need to send in my certification renewal application10 weeks ahead of time?
A. This allows for timeliness in processing your certification renewal application and ensures that your certification is renewed without a lapse. <top>

Q: My certification has expired. Does ANCC have a certification reactivation policy?
A: ANCC's certification reactivation policy depends on the following scenarios.

To reactivate certification within two years after expiration:
 If a certificant fails to renew their certification by their expiration date and their certification has lapsed, they may submit their certification renewal package up to two years after expiration and request reactivation of certification.

All requirements for reactivation/certification renewal including professional development and practice hours must have been met during the five year period immediately prior to the date of the application. An additional reactivation fee of $100 must be submitted above-and-beyond the normal certification renewal fee.

To reactivate certification more than two years after expiration:
 If it has been more than two years since the expiration date, reactivation of certification is still possible ( if the exam is still offered.) Individuals must meet the professional development requirements for their specialty during the five year period immediately prior to the date of the reactivation/certification renewal application and must test.

Using practice hours, rather than retesting, is not an option for those requesting reactivation more than two years after certification has expired. Individuals reactivating under this policy do not need to resubmit evidence of eligibility requirements met during initial certification (e.g. transcripts, NP Education Validation, etc.). All applicable fees for certification renewal by test and the $100 reactivation fee will apply. <top>

This page last revised 8/13/2007.