ACNS-BC - Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist - Board Certified

The Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist - Board Certified (ACNS-BC) certification offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has been retired. However, CNSs who already possess this credential can continue renewing it every 5 years.

Eligibility

Must already hold an ACNS-BC credential that’s either current or no more than 2 years past the expiration date. Any credential more than 2 years past expiration can’t be reactivated.

Exam Format

Retired

ACNS - BC certification must be renewed every 5 years. Proof of professional development must be stored in the applicant’s online ANCC account before beginning their renewal application. To maintain this retired credential, applicants must:

• Hold a current, active APRN license 

• Hold current ACNS-BC certification

• Complete 75 contact hours of continuing education (CE), including 25 CE hours in pharmacology

• Complete at least one of 8 professional development categories fully

  • One of the 8 categories is 75 hours of CE, which would be in addition to the 75 mandatory hours

  • One of the 8 categories is test or portfolio, which is no longer a valid option for the ACNS-BC since it’s a retired credential

• Pay renewal fee

Applicants may also renew by mail, please send a request to [email protected].

Renewal Fees

• $275 ANCC Members

• $295 NACNS Members

• $375 Nonmembers

• All costs include a $140 nonrefundable administrative fee

Applicants must complete 75 CE contact hours, including 25 hours in pharmacology. At least 60 of the 75 contact hours must be formally approved CE hours.

• ANCC’s general testing and renewal handbook

The ANCC offers the Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS-BC) in place of the ACNS-BC for those seeking initial certification.