What is the ANCC certification
Charlotte Adams
Published Jun 10, 2026
ANCC’s Certification Program enables nurses to demonstrate their specialty expertise and validate their knowledge to employers and patients. Through targeted exams that incorporate the latest nursing-practice standards, ANCC certification empowers nurses with pride and professional satisfaction.
What does ANCC certification mean?
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Certification Program will give you the opportunity to advance your nursing career and prove your ability to provide the best patient care. Demonstrate your commitment to nursing with the most respected certification in the profession.
What is the purpose of ANCC?
The mission of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA), is to promote excellence in nursing and health care globally through credentialing programs.
What certifications does the ANCC offer?
CertificationCredential AwardedAdult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse PractitionerAGPCNP-BC®Adult Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Renewal Only)PMHNP-BC™Family Nurse PractitionerFNP-BC™Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (Renewal Only)GNP-BC™How much does it cost to take the ANCC certification?
Pricing & DiscountsINITIAL CERTIFICATIONNon-member$395American Nurses Association members*$295American Association of Nurse Practitioners member$340American Association of Nurse Practitioners student member$290
Where is ANCC located?
OrganizationOncology Nursing SocietyType501(c)(6)LocationPittsburgh, PARevenue$28,662,607
Is ANCC recognized in all states?
ANCC accreditation is accepted by the nursing boards of all 50 states and U.S. territories.
How long is ANCC certification good for?
ANCC certification is renewed every 5 years to provide evidence of the expansion of professional knowledge and evidence of continued competence in your certification specialty.How long does it take to get ANCC certification?
Your certificate and ANCC pin are mailed to you approximately 4 weeks after you have successfully completed the exam. You will also receive an official letter from ANCC with your specific 5-year certification period.
What does FNP stand for?A Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specializes in the primary and specialty care of patients of all ages. In general, FNPs focus on preventive care, monitoring their long-term health, and assisting physicians with any issues that might arise.
Article first time published onHow do I become an ANCC provider?
An Accredited Provider must have a currently licensed registered nurse who holds a graduate degree, and either the graduate degree or baccalaureate degree must be in nursing. Initial applicants may receive accreditation for up to two years, and re-accrediting applicants may receive accreditation for up to four years.
How do I get a copy of my ANCC certification?
If you are a member of the public and seeking verification of an individual’s ANCC certification, please contact the Certification Specialist at 800.284. 2378, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST. You must request a verification for each purpose you require.
How much is Ana and state membership?
Join ANA and Your State Nurses Association Today for only $15 a month.
What is the difference between AACN and ANCC?
There are 200 multiple-choice questions with four answer options on the ANCC exam, while the AACN exam is 175 questions. Of the questions you’ll encounter, 25 are pretest questions used to validate new questions for future exams. … If you’re taking the exam through the AACN, you’ll have 3.5 hours to complete it.
How many times can you take ANCC?
Candidates may not test more than 3 times in any 12 months. To retest, candidates must meet eligibility requirements in effect when the retest application is submitted. ANCC may require supporting documentation to determine eligibility.
What does Nclex stand for?
National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. (NCLEX-RN® Examination)
Does ANCC accept Pri Med?
For example, the ANCC may accredit a continuing education activity created by Pri-Med.
What is AACN in nursing?
About American Association of Critical-Care Nurses – AACN.
What are the national certification bodies for the nurse practitioner?
- The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) …
- The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Certification Program. …
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Certification Corporation. …
- The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)
What are ANCC contact hours?
“Contact Hours” is the term used by the American Nurses Credential Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC) to define a unit of nursing continuing education in nursing. A contact hour is defined as: “Sixty minutes of an organized learning activity, which is either a didactic or clinical experience.”
Does Ancc have an app?
The app contains all of the functionality available on the ANCC website. In addition to the streamlined certification and re-certification processes, the app enables the following: Maintenance of professional development.
How much does it cost to renew ANCC certification?
Pricing & DiscountsRENEWALNon-member$375American Nurses Association members$275American Association of Nurse Practitioners member$295
How many questions do you need to pass Ancc?
To pass an exam, a scaled score of 350 or higher must be achieved. All exams contain between 150 and 175 questions that are counted towards the final score, and 25 pilot questions that will not count towards the final score. ANCC Certification Flashcards.
What is the difference between a NP and a MD?
A NP is a Nurse Practitioner, while a MD is a Doctor of Medicine. 2. A NP is licensed by the Nursing Board, whereas a MD is licensed by the Medical Doctor’s Board. … Both MDs and NPs can work independently in medical care facilities and hospitals.
What's the difference between FNP and NP?
The main FNP vs. NP difference is that an FNP program is more flexible, enabling graduates to treat people of all ages, from infants to geriatrics. The other NP specialties are much narrower in scope and focus on a specific age group, branch of medicine, or medical setting.
Is the ANCC exam hard?
The ANCC exam can have up to 200 questions that you’ll have to complete in 3 to 4 hours. You’ll have to answer a minimum of 150. This is another reason why some people consider this exam to be harder.
How do I become a family nurse practitioner?
- Understand the role: What does a Family Nurse Practitioner do? …
- Become an RN with a nursing degree (ADN, BSN) …
- Enroll in a Specialized Master’s Degree Program. …
- Complete your clinicals and graduate. …
- Pass the certification exam. …
- Obtain licensure in your state. …
- Start Your Career as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Is a NP a doctor?
Are Nurse Practitioner Doctors Real Physicians? No longer are physicians the only healthcare professionals with a doctorate degree (i.e., MD or DO). … Now, nurse practitioners arrive on the job with a doctor of nursing practice degree (DNP).
Is a Np the same as a PA?
But what’s the difference? In basic terms, a nurse practitioner is a registered nurse (RN) with advanced education and clinical training. A physician assistant is a medical professional with advanced education who is trained in the same way physicians are.
Which is higher PA or NP?
Is NP higher than PA? Neither profession ranks “higher” than the other. Both occupations work in the healthcare field, but with different qualifications, educational backgrounds, and responsibilities.
What is a PA vs NP?
Physician assistants train using the medical model, similar to physicians, which means they focus on the testing, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease that the patient has. Nurse practitioners train on the nursing model, which means they focus on the testing, diagnosis, and treatment of the patient with the disease.