ANP-BC - Adult Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (certified by ANCC)

The Adult Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (ANP-BC) credential is a distinguished certification offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). It’s designed for nurse practitioners who specialize in adult care. This certification validates the advanced clinical knowledge and skills needed to provide comprehensive care to adults, including older adults, across the health continuum. ANP-BC is recognized nationally and internationally, enhancing career prospects, credibility in clinical practice, and commitment to the advancement of nursing care for adults. This certification has been retired and is only available for renewal.

Eligibility

Because this certification is only available for renewal, applicants must currently hold an unexpired ANP-BC credential and a current, unencumbered advanced practice register nurse (APRN) license. If you allow your certification to lapse by 2 years or more, you can’t reactivate.

Exam Format

Exam no longer administered, ANP-BC certification is available for renewal only.

ANP-BC must be renewed every 5 years, but holders can renew up to 1 year before their expiration date. Because this credential is only available for current holders and for renewal only, certifications that are 2 or more years past the expiration date can’t be reactivated. Applicants can’t renew this certification through testing. To renew, applicants must:

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

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

• Complete 75 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), 25 CE hours must be related to pharmacology. 60 CE hours must be formally approved by the ANCC

• 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. Pass the current ANP-BC exam

Alternatively, renewal applicants may renew by mail by sending a request to [email protected].

Renewal Fees

• $275 - American Nurses Association Members

• $295 - American Association of Nurse Practitioners Members

• $320 - Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurse Association Members

• $375 - Nonmembers

• All prices include a $140 nonrefundable administrative fee

Track professional development, including continuing education in your ANCC account to transfer it to your renewal application. Renewal requires 75 contact hours within one of eight certification renewal categories, including continuing education, academic credits, professional service, publications/research, presentations, preceptorships or practice hours. Testing isn’t an option for professional development.

• Renewal Requirements

• Renewal FAQs

Other ANCC certifications include:

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP-BC)

• Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP-BC)

• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC)

• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PPCNP-BC)

• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)