American Nurses Credentialing Center

Certified nursing excellence
The American Nurses Association established the ANA Certification Program in 1973 to provide tangible recognition of professional achievement in a defined functional or clinical area of nursing. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) became its own corporation, a subsidiary of ANA in 1991. More than 150,000 nurses throughout the U.S. and its territories in 40 specialty and advanced practice areas of nursing carry ANCC certification. While the role for nurses continues to evolve, ANCC has responded positively by the re-conceptualization of certification and Open Door 2000, a program that enables all qualified registered nurses, regardless of their educational preparation to become certified in any of five specialty areas: Gerontology, Medical-Surgical, Pediatrics, Perinatal and Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.

ANCC is the largest and most prestigious nursing credentialing organization in the United States and has a long tradition of providing programs that establish respect for nurses and the profession. ANCC certifications are highly regarded across the nation by federal, state and local agencies. We produce quality exams that are psychometrically sound and legally defensible, and the integrity of our exams is a top priority. The American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), both well recognized throughout the certification health care credentialing community, accredit most of ANCC's exams and processes.

ANNC mission statement
*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;
*Supports credentialing through research, education, and consultative services

ANCC Certification - Commonly Asked Questions

When/how do I renew my certification?
*ANCC certification lasts for five years.
*Candidates for certification renewal must meet the professional development requirements.
*Candidates for certification renewal must show evidence of practice (1,000 hours) or retest.

Why certify?
*It builds confidence in your professional ability.
*It demonstrates meeting national standards.
*It validates your nursing knowledge.
*It shows dedication to nursing as a profession.
*It provides potential career opportunities and salary increases.

Why ANCC certification?
*ANCC is the largest and most prestigious nursing credentialing organization in the United States.
*ANCC certifications are highly regarded across the nation by federal, state and local agencies.
*ANCC produces quality exams that are psychometrically sound and legally defensible.
*ANCC exams are accredited by not one but two national organizations: the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

How do I get certified?
*Meet education/eligibility requirements of the specialty.
*Pass the specialty exam.
*Computer-based exams are available year-round at more than 300 test sites.
*Pencil-and-paper exams are administered in May and October at dozens of locations nationwide.
*For a general overview of ANCC testing processes and prodecures, all candidates should consult the General Testing Information booklet.

Certified nurses: Continuing education for certification renewal
If you are an ANCC-certified nurse and finding it difficult to meet the "2003 Rule" which requires that 50% of the CE used for certification renewal be from an ANCC accredited or approved provider, please
click here

and there are more programs at ANNC.

Journey to Nursing Excellence and Magnet Recognition Workshops
Sponsored by the ANCC Institute for Credentialing Innovation
The schedule of the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Journey to Nursing Excellence and Magnet recognition workshops for 2006 is listed below. Led by an ANCC Magnet Consultant and co-hosted by a Magnet-recognition facility, the two-day workshops are designed for both those interested in starting the journey to nursing excellence and for those who have begun their journey.

The registration fee for the workshop is $430 per person. If you register at least one month before the workshop, the registration fee is $400 per person. A group rate of $400 per person is offered for groups of 3 or more from one facility/organization. You may view a summary and begin the registration process for a workshop by clicking on its link below.

The workshops begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. each day local time. Continental breakfast and lunch are provided both days. A detailed agenda is available to paid registrants. Click the link to the workshop in which you are interested for detailed information on location, airports and hotels.

Workshop objectives
-Recognize the relationship of the ANCC structure, function & available resources for the Journey to Nursing Excellence & Magnet Recognition
-Discuss the history of the Magnet concept
-Appreciate the meaning of Magnet status through the lived experience of a designated facility
-Recognize the changes required to make the Magnet journey
-Discuss various change models available to support the organizational changes needed
-Interpret expectations & components for the 14 Forces of Magnetism
-Recognize sources of evidence for each of the 14 Forces of Magnetism
-Discuss various models for shared decision making
-Discuss various professional practice models
-Explain evidence-based practice model
-Describe strategies for development of a program of nursing research for the facility
-Discuss the relationship of evidence-based practice, research and nursing sensitive indicators
-Discuss various models for peer review
-Explain strategies available to implement and improve service to customers
-Discuss journey timeline, with explanation of process
-Create a plan for sharing information with facility

To Find out know more about ANCC, go to ANCC Homepage