ACNP-BC - Acute Care Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified

The Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (ACNP-BC) is available for renewal only from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

A board-certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who specializes in the care of patients with acute illnesses or exacerbations of chronic conditions. ACNPs can work in a variety of settings, including inpatient hospital units, emergency departments, and urgent care. They may care for young adult, adult, and geriatric patients (pediatric acute care is a separate specialty certification). ACNPs can diagnose illnesses and injuries, order diagnostic imaging or laboratory work, perform simple procedures, and prescribe medication and treatments. This is a fast-paced and engaging career track well suited for nurses with critical care or emergency room experience.

The ACNP-BC certification is available for renewal only.

Certification renewal occurs every 5 years, and ACNPs can track their continuing education credits over this time frame on ANCC’s website. To be eligible for renewal, applicants must:

• Have an active RN license in any U.S. state or the legal equivalent in another country

• Have a current, active ACNP-BC certification from the ANCC

• Complete 75 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

• Complete one of the 8 professional development categories 

• Pay renewal fee

The professional development component includes the mandatory 75 CE hours PLUS completion of at least one of the following 8 categories:

1. 75 CE hours in addition to the mandatory 75 CE hours

2. Academic credits: 5 semester credits or 6 quarter credits

3. One or more presentations totaling 5 hours

4. One Evidence-Based Practice (EBP), Quality Improvement Project (QI) or one qualifying publication or one Institutional Review Board research project, completed dissertation or thesis, or doctoral project

5. At least 120 hours as a preceptor for students in an academic program

6. Two or more consecutive years of volunteer service with an international, national, state, or local healthcare-related organization

7. 1,000 practice hours (not required to renew certification but option to fulfill professional development)

8. ACNP-BC is available for renewal only. The exam is not available.

AGCNSs must complete the professional development section before completing the online renewal application.

Renewal Fees

• American Nurses Association (ANA) members: $275

• American Association of Nurse Practioners (AANP) members: $295

• Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) members: $320

• Non-members: $375

Renewal Handbook