ACRN - AIDS Certified Registered Nurse

Becoming an HIV/AIDS Certified Registered Nurse (ACRN) through the HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board (HANCB) demonstrates that you have the most up-to-date knowledge and skills necessary to manage the care of HIV/AIDS patients. You show your commitment and motivation to provide your patients with the best possible care by pursuing this certification.

If you work with HIV/AIDS patients, whether occasionally or exclusively, the ACRN certification is an excellent way to show your commitment to staying current on HIV/AIDS research and treatment and dedication to your career and your patients. You can apply for the ACRN certification online or download a copy of the application to print and mail in.

The fee for these modules and the certification is $350 or $250 if you’re a member of the Association of Nursing in AIDS Care (ANAC).

To obtain your initial ACRN certification, you must complete the National HIV Curriculum online modules, correctly answer four of the five questions at the end of each module, and complete a survey about each module. After you complete all of the modules, submit your certificates of completion online.

In addition to the coursework from the National HIV Curriculum, you must also complete seven Art of Nursing modules and submit your certificates of completion online.

You must meet the following qualifications to be eligible for this certification: 

• Have an active nursing license

• Have at least two years of clinical experience in clinical practice, management, education, or research relating to HIV/AIDS

• Submit a complete application

• Pay the required application fee

It takes between seven and ten days to process your application. Once it is approved, you will receive an email with instructions for accessing the National HIV Curriculum modules. You have up to six months to complete the required lessons.

You must recertify every four years by submitting a recertification packet online. To recertify, you must meet the following requirements: 

• Complete 70 continuing education credits, 80% of which must be in HIV/AIDS care

• Continuing education activities must be approved by any state nursing board, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the ANAC, or the international equivalent of any of these organizations

• Provide completion certificates for each course if audited

For complete recertification requirements, see the ACRN Recertification protocol.

Recertification costs $300 or $200 for ANAC members. There is a 30-day grace period for late applications with an additional $50 fee.

The HANCB offers a list of resources and a certification pathway to help you prepare for the exam.

If you have a master's degree, the HANBC also has an Advanced HIV/AIDS Certified Registered Nurse (AACRN) that might be more appropriate for you.

There are also certifications available in this specialty from the American Academy of HIV Medicine, though this certification is not specific to nursing.

The HANBC also offers the HIV/AIDS Certified LPN/LVN (ACLPN).