Board Certification
What is AACN Certification Corp?
AACN Certification Corporation drives patient health and safety through the comprehensive credentialing of acute and critical care nurses, advancing practice consistent with standards of excellence.
Accreditation for AACN certification programs is granted by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC).
All AACN certifications are accepted by the Magnet Recognition Program®.
Learn more about AACN Certification Corporation
Certification That Works for You
How do you sum up your clinical knowledge, vast experience, dedication to patients and personal commitment to excellence? In a word, certification. Certification not only contributes to optimal outcomes for acutely/critically ill patients and their families, it advances your professional and personal growth.
Get to know the value of certification.
Be a clinician who sets the example for other nurses
How to Apply or Renew
How to Apply or Renew
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First-Time Certification
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Certification Renewal
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1Validate your eligibility for certification
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2Apply for certification online
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3Prepare for your exam
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4Schedule your exam date
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5Take the exam
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6Celebrate your certification!
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7Learn about certification renewal
journey starts here
When it’s time to renew your certification, the steps below will get you there. For in-depth information about eligibility and the renewal process, consult the renewal handbook for your specific certification.
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1Validate your eligibility for renewal
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2Track your CE/CERP progress from your AACN dashboard
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3Store your CE/CERP documentation, to submit if audited
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4Apply for your certification renewal online
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5Receive confirmation of your successful renewal
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6Access online verification and/or wallet card
to nursing excellence
Resources to Help You Succeed
AACN is your committed partner on the road to certification. Be best prepared for your certification journey with our wide range of preparation tools and information designed to boost your test-taking confidence.
with up-to-date certification
study resources
Employer & Certificant Resources
Employers and certificants can easily verify board certification. We also help employers stretch
certification dollars further with our volume discount programs.
Advanced Practice
AACN's entry-level advanced practice credentials are for nurses educated at the graduate-level as acute care nurse practitioners (ACNPs) and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) to provide advanced healthcare services to patient populations with acute and/or complex healthcare needs.
AACN's advanced practice board certifications align with requirements of the APRN Consensus Model and other foundational national standards for APRN education, accreditation and regulation, and are accepted in all states.
Our Advanced Practice Certification Brochure describes the many benefits of partnering with AACN in your career as an ACNP or CNS.
certification journey