ANCC Certification Guide
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) is the largest nursing credentialing organization in the U.S. This guide covers ANCC certifications for nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and specialty nurses.
What is ANCC?
The American Nurses Credentialing Center is a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA). ANCC offers certification exams for advanced practice nurses and specialty nurses, accredits CE providers, and recognizes healthcare organizations through the Magnet Recognition Program.
ANCC certifications are recognized in all 50 states and are often required for NP/CNS licensure. Many employers require or prefer ANCC-certified nurses.
ANCC By the Numbers
APRN Certifications
ANCC offers certification for Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists. These credentials are required for APRN licensure in most states.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Primary care for patients across the lifespan
MSN with FNP focus, 500+ clinical hours
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
Primary care for adolescents through older adults
MSN with AG-PCNP focus, 500+ clinical hours
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
Acute and critical care for adults
MSN with AG-ACNP focus, 500+ clinical hours
Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
Mental health across the lifespan
MSN with PMHNP focus, 500+ clinical hours
Pediatric Primary Care NP
Primary care for infants through young adults
MSN with PNP focus, 500+ clinical hours
Adult-Gerontology CNS
Clinical nurse specialist for adult populations
MSN with CNS focus, clinical hours vary
Psychiatric-Mental Health CNS
Clinical nurse specialist in mental health
MSN with CNS focus, clinical hours vary
ANCC vs AANPCB: Which Certification?
For many NP specialties, you can choose between ANCC and AANPCB (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board). Both are accepted for licensure.
Bottom line: Both are equally accepted for licensure. ANCC has more specialty options; AANPCB may be slightly easier for some test-takers. Choose based on your study preferences and specialty needs.
RN Specialty Certifications
ANCC offers specialty certifications for RNs in various practice areas. These demonstrate expertise and may qualify you for higher pay or specialized positions.
| Certification | Credential | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Medical-Surgical Nursing | CMSRN | RN with 2+ years med-surg experience |
| Cardiac-Vascular Nursing | CV-BC | RN with 2+ years cardiac experience |
| Gerontological Nursing | GERO-BC | RN with 2+ years geriatric experience |
| Pediatric Nursing | CPN | RN with 1,800+ hours pediatric experience |
| Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing | PMH-BC | RN with 2+ years psych experience |
| Ambulatory Care Nursing | AMB-BC | RN with 2+ years ambulatory experience |
| Nurse Executive | NE-BC | BSN+ with 2+ years leadership experience |
| Nurse Executive, Advanced | NEA-BC | MSN+ with 3+ years executive experience |
| Nursing Case Management | NCM-BC | RN with 2,000+ hours case management |
| Nursing Informatics | NI-BC | RN with 2+ years informatics experience |
| Nursing Professional Development | NPD-BC | BSN+ with 2+ years NPD experience |
| Pain Management Nursing | PMGT-BC | RN with 2+ years pain management |
How to Get ANCC Certified
Verify Eligibility
Check the specific requirements for your certification. APRN certs require graduate education; specialty certs require RN experience. Visit ANCC's website for detailed eligibility criteria.
Submit Application
Apply online at nursingworld.org/ancc. You'll provide education transcripts, license verification, and clinical hour documentation. Processing takes 2-4 weeks.
Receive Authorization
Once approved, you'll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) email with instructions to schedule at a Prometric testing center.
Prepare for the Exam
Study 2-3 months using practice exams and review materials. ANCC provides content outlines for each certification exam.
Popular study resources:
- ANCC review books by certification
- Fitzgerald NP review courses
- Barkley & Associates review
- Pocket Prep practice questions
Take the Exam
Computer-based testing at Prometric centers nationwide. Most exams are 3-4 hours with 150-175 questions. You'll receive preliminary pass/fail results immediately.
Maintain Certification
ANCC certifications are valid for 5 years. Renew by completing continuing education requirements (typically 75 CE hours) or retaking the exam.
Exam Details
Exam Format
- Format Computer-based testing (CBT)
- Questions 150-175 questions (varies by exam)
- Time 3-4 hours
- Passing score Criterion-referenced (varies)
Costs & Results
- ANA member fee $295-$395
- Non-member fee $395-$495
- Results Immediate (preliminary)
- Official results 2-4 weeks
ANA membership tip: If you'll take an ANCC exam, check if ANA membership saves you money. The $100+ exam discount may offset the membership cost, plus you get access to other benefits.
Ready to Get Certified?
Visit the official ANCC website to review eligibility requirements, download content outlines, and submit your application.
Visit ANCC Website