American Nurses Credentialing Center

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) provides individuals and organizations throughout the nursing profession with the tools they need on their journey to excellence. ANCC's internationally renowned credentialing programs certify nurses in specialty practice areas, recognize healthcare organizations for nursing excellence through the Magnet Recognition Program®, and accredit providers of continuing nursing education. In addition, ANCC offers an array of informational and educational services and products to support its core credentialing programs.

ANCC is the largest and most prestigious nurse credentialing organization in the world. ANCC certification exams validate nurses’ skills, knowledge, and abilities. More than a quarter million nurses have been certified by ANCC since 1990. More than 75,000 advanced practice nurses are currently certified by ANCC. ANCC offers nursing certification in 26 different specialties.

SPECIALTY CERTIFICATIONS: Ambulatory Care, Cardiac Vascular, Geronotological, Informatics, Medical-Surgical, Nursing Administration, Nursing Case Management, Nursing Professional Development, Pain Management, Pediatric, Psychiatric & Mental Health, Advanced Diabetes Management Dietician/Pharmacist, Advanced Nursing Administration

NURSE PRACTITIONER CERTIFICATIONS: Acute Care, Adult Health, Adult Psychiatric & Mental Health, Advanced Diabetes Management, Family, Family Psychiatric & Mental Health, Gerontological, Pediatric

CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST CERTIFICATIONS: Adult Health, Adult Psychiatric & Mental Health, Advanced Diabetes Management,Child/Adolescent Psychiatric & Mental Health, Community Health, Gerontological, Pediatric

The ANCC Magnet Recognition Program recognizes healthcare organizations that provide the very best in nursing care and professionalism in nursing practice. The program also provides a vehicle for disseminating best practices and strategies among nursing systems. The ANCC Magnet Recognition Program is the gold standard for nursing excellence.

ANCC Accreditation of a continuing nursing education program is the hallmark of quality. ANCC is the nation's leader in accreditation of continuing nursing education programs.

ANCC produces a variety of educational services and products to support those seeking certification, Magnet recognition, or accreditation. Review and resource manuals, review seminars, and web-based learning all support individuals who are on the path to certification. ANCC's National Magnet Conferences, workshops, and consulting services support organizations on the Journey to Nursing Excellence. Consultants are available to assist continuing nursing education accreditation programs in achieving the highest caliber education.

ANCC is passionate about helping nurses on their journey to nursing excellence.

What We Do

To accomplish its mission, ANCC:

•    Certifies healthcare providers;
•    Accredits educational providers, approvers, and programs;
•    Recognizes excellence in nursing and healthcare services;
•    Educates the public, and collaborates with organizations to advance the understanding of credentialing services; and
•    Supports credentialing through research, education, and consultative services.

ANCC Annual Reports

• 2006 Annual Report [PDF: 449KB]
• 2005 Annual Report [PDF: 592KB]

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) is a District of Columbia 501(c)(6) non-profit corporation, with offices in Silver Spring, Maryland. ANCC is a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA).

Contacting ANCC

To contact ANCC via e-mail, please see our contact page.

If you would like to order a catalog, please call 1-800-284-2378.

Our mailing address is listed below…

This page last revised 3/4/2008.