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 renewal handbook

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