Certification…
How do I choose ??
By
Roberta L Cook CNP
Updated by Rebecca Neeley-Rollins, CNP
Introduction
The purpose of certification is to provide a valid
and reliable program for the entry-level nurse
practitioner to recognize their education,
knowledge and professional expertise.
Certification is the process by which a
nongovernmental agency or an association
grants recognition to an individual who has met
certain predetermined qualifications.
RELAX………..
ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center)
ANCC incorporated in 1991 as a subsidiary of
the American Nurses' Association. It is the
largest nursing credentialing organization in the
world.
ANCC’s professional certification services
provide national and international recognition for
nurses who have proven themselves through
education, experience, testing and professional
conduct.
ANCC offers over 25 examinations including
advanced practice specialties for nurse
practitioners and nurse specialists.
AANP (American Association of Nurse Practitioners )
• AANP was formed in 1985 to provide NPs with a unified
way to network and advocate for NP issues. It was the
first national organization created for nurse practitioners
of all specialties.
• AANP is the largest and only full-service national
professional membership organization for NPs of all
specialties.
• AANP represents the interests of the more than 125,000
NPs currently practicing in the U. S. and continually
advocates at local, state, and federal levels for the
recognition of NPs as providers of high-quality, costeffective, and personalized healthcare.
American Association of Nurse
Practitioners (AANP)
• January 2013 American Academy of
Nurse Practitioner (AANP) and American
College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP)
merged together to form American
Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
which is now the largest full-service
national professional membership
organization for nurse practitioners.
Application Process…ANCC
• Apply online or print application from the web
site and mail
• Within 4-6 weeks, receive a receipt of
application in the mail
• Within 10 weeks, will receive an eligibility notice
or a letter requesting additional information
• You will have 90 days to schedule your test
• Schedule appointment on line
Application Process…AANP
• Apply online or print and mail application for an additional fee
effective 1-1-13.
• The application must be submitted with the appropriate
documentation to the Certification Program for review.
•
Once approved you will receive ATT (Approval to Test) and can
schedule for the computer base test online in a 120 day window.
• A notice of application acceptance will be sent to the applicant.
Candidates found ineligible will be refunded the registration fee less
a $60 processing fee.
Credentials…ANCC
• As of Dec 2007…
• NP-BC (NURSE PRACTITIONER-BOARD
CERTIFIED) preceded by a letter
indicating the particular specialty
• ie: Family Nurse Practitioner-FNP-BC
• Adult Nurse Practitioner- ANP-BC
• Gerontological Nurse Practitioner- GNP-BC
• Last separate Adult Gero Dec 2014 (now
extended Dec 2015)
Credentials…AANP
• Candidates who become certified by the
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Certification Program will be able to use the
initials NP-C to indicate their certification status.
Candidates taking these computer-based
examinations will be given a preliminary result at
the time of testing followed by written score
notification and authorization to use NP-C
credentials via US mail.
AANP vs ANCC
Qualification of Candidates
• AANP
• Certification is offered to graduates of approved
Masters, Post Masters and Doctorial level adult,
gerontologic and family nurse practitioner programs.
• ANCC
• Academic degrees for advanced practice nursing exams
must be awarded from an institution of higher learning.
• Graduate transcripts in a sealed envelope can be
included in the application or mailed separately and
must show the degree and the date earned.
TYPES OF CERTIFICATIONS OFFERED
• AANP…
• Family, Adult and Gerontology, AdultGerontology
• ANCC…
• Pediatric, Family, Adult- Gerontology,
Family Psych and Mental Health,
Acute Care, Adult Psych and Mental
Health
FEES
AANP
• Computer based: Members are $240.00 and
Non members are $315.00 (individual
membership is $99.00/year which can be sent
with the application as 2 separate checks.
ANCC
• Non-member $395.00, ANA membership
$270.00. Dues depend on where you reside;
currently, 9 states handle their own membership
process and you apply and the info is
transferred to the local ANA data base; Ohio is
one of these 9 states.
Timeline
AANP
ANCC
120 day window to
test
90 day window to
test
DAY of the EXAM
• What you need to bring:
• Two valid forms of ID, one must have your photo
and both must have your signature.
• DO NOT BRING:
• -books, calculators, cell phones, PDA’s, food,
drink, water or notes!!
• Both the AANP and the ANCC will give you
results of PASS or FAIL the day of the exam.
Examination Details
AANP
ANCC
150 questions (15
pretest- do not count)
175 questions (25
pretest- do not count)
3 hours to complete
3 hours to complete
Score to pass
500/800
Score to pass
350/500
Notification of PASS/FAIL at time of exam
Test Domains
ANCP
Assessment (35%)
ANCC
Foundations of Advanced
Nursing Practice (34%)
Diagnosis (25%)
Professional Role (26%)
Plan (22%)
Independent Practice
(40%)
Evaluation (18%)
RECERTIFICATION
AANP
• Must be done every 5 years either by
sitting for the exam or clinical practice and
continuing education. May complete up to 1 year prior
to due.
• Clinical practice-need 1000 hours
documented as a NP in your specialized
practice
• Continuing education for 75 contact hours
relevant to NP specialty by
accredited/approved agency.
RECERTIFICATION
• Beginning January 1, 2017 AANP
1- Complete 100 CEU w/population focus
2- Completion of minimum of 25 pharmacy
content hours.
3- A credit option for precepting NP students.
4- A minimum of 1000 hours of clinical practice.
5- Remains 5-year certification period.
Renewal Requirements
ANCC
• Candidates must meet the following criteria:
• 1-Hold a current active registered nurse license
in the US or its territories
• 2-Meet the professional development
requirements for your specialty. There are 6
categories. You must fulfill two of these
categories or double one of the categories. #1 is
required
ANCC Categories
• Category 1-Continuing
education hours
1.
Complete 75 contact hours of continuing nursing
education (or 150 continuing nursing educations hours
if you are doubling this category.) All must complete at
least 75 hours (Jan 2014) 25 of which must include
pharmacology.
• Category 2-Academic credits
1.
Complete either 5 semester hours of 6 quarter hours
of academic courses in your certification specialty.
ANCC Recertification con’t
• Category 3-Presentations
1. Present 5 different topics
related to your certification
specialty. Presentations that
are required of your employer
are disqualified.
ANCC Recertification con’t
• Category 4-Publication or
research
1. Publication-Publish an article in a peer
reviewed journal or a book chapter or
develop education materials.
2. Research-serve as the primary
investigator in an URB-approved
research project related to your
certification specialty.
ANCC Recertification con’t
• Category 5- Preceptorship
• Complete a minimum of 120 hours of
direct clinical supervision to nursing
students in your certification specialty.
ANCC Recertification con’t
• Category 6- Professional Service
• Complete 2 or more years of volunteer
service with an international, national,
state or local healthcare organization (ex
board of directors, committees, editorial
boars, review boards or task forces).
RETEST
AANP
• May apply for retesting after obtaining 15
hours of continuing education. No more
than 2 times in calendar year.
ANCC
• May apply to retest in a minimum of 60
days but no longer than 2 years. There is
a one time reduced fee for retesting.
WEBSITES
• AANP-American Association of Nurse
Practitioners: www.aanpcertification.org
• ANCC-American Nurses Credentialing
Center: www.nursecredentialing.org