CARN-AP - Certified Addiction Registered Nurse – Advance Practice

About 21 million Americans suffer from substance abuse and addiction, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Addiction nurses play a critical role in the treatment and recovery of substance abuse and addiction patients. The Certified Addiction Registered Nurse – Advanced Practice (CARN-AP) credential validates the advanced knowledge and skills of addiction nurses. The Addictions Nursing Certification Board (ANCB) offers the CARN-AP exam, accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC).

The exam is open to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who’ve met specific educational and experience requirements. Earning the CARN-AP credential helps nurses advance their careers in addiction nursing by allowing them to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in providing high-quality care to patients with addictions. Professional certification also helps APRNs in addiction nursing become more marketable and earn higher salaries.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the CARN-AP exam, applicants must have:

• An active, unencumbered RN license

• A graduate degree in nursing at the master's level or higher

• 45 hours of continuing education (CE) related to addictions

• 500 supervised clinical hours working with addictions within the past four years

• 1,500 hours of experience in addictions as an APRN within the past three years

Completion Time: Candidates have 3 hours to complete the CARN-AP exam.

Cost: $400. There is an additional $50 application processing fee, non-refundable.

Exam Format

The CARN-AP certification exam is an in-person, computer-based test with 150 questions. Test takers have 3 hours to complete the exam. To pass, candidates must correctly answer 75% of the test questions. The CARN-AP exam covers the following topics:

• Opioid abuse and disorders: 35-37 questions (24%)

• Alcohol abuse and disorders: 35-37 questions (24%)

• Stimulant abuse and disorders: 22-24 questions (15%)

• Comorbid psychiatric and medical conditions: 19-21 questions (13%)

• Tobacco abuse and disorders: 11-13 questions (8%)

• Cannabis abuse and disorders: 10-12 questions (7%)

• Other use disorders: 13-15 questions (9%)

Each set of questions for the patient problem presented on the test includes the following APRN activity:

• Assessment and diagnosis: 30% of questions

• Prescriptions and other interventions: 30% of questions

• Education: 25% of questions

• Consultation: 10% of questions

• Practice management and research: 5% of questions

Test Dates

The Center for Nursing Education and Testing (C-NET) administers the CARN-AP exam year-round and PSI Exams proctors the exam on its behalf. Candidates may schedule their exam on the PSI website for a date, time, and location convenient for them. Test takers needing to cancel or reschedule their exam must do so at least two days before the scheduled exam date or forfeit their exam fee.

Exam Day Instructions

• Arrive at the testing site 30 minutes before the scheduled start time

• Sign in with the registrar

• Submit a government-issued ID

• Be prepared to leave all study material and personal property outside of the exam area

Candidates may apply for the Certified Addiction Registered Nurse – Advanced Practice certification by filling out the application included in the CARN-AP Certification Guide. To complete the application, candidates must:

• Complete and sign the application form

• Fill out a form with demographic information

• Complete a form verifying clinical and practice hours, signed by their supervisor

• Complete the CE form documenting 45 contact hours

• Include a copy of their master's degree transcript/diploma, RN license, and government-issued ID

C-NET issues an authorization to test (ATT) within 4 weeks of receiving a completed, eligible application. Candidates must take the exam within 90 days of approval.

The CARN-AP certification is good for 4 years. To renew the CARN-AP, applicants must:

• Maintain an active, unrestricted RN license

• Complete 80 points of continuing education, college coursework, or volunteer service

• Have at least 1,200 hours of addictions experience within the recertification period

• Submit a completed renewal application form with the renewal fee

Cost: $375. The late fee is $100.

Maintaining CARN-AP certification requires 80 points of credit from the following activities:

• CE contact hours

• Graduate-level college coursework related to addictions

• Publishing articles related to addictions

• College or university course development

• Paper or poster presentations

• Teaching

• Professional volunteer service

• Community volunteer service

Resources that may be helpful for nurses interested in the Certified Addiction Registered Nurse – Advanced Practice certification include:

• The CARN-AP certification handbook

• C-NET's list of websites for addictions-related CE

• ANCB's practice analysis and role delineation study

After receiving the CARN-AP certification, nurses may wish to pursue additional certifications in addictions nursing or other related fields. Certifications to consider after earning the CARN-AP include:

• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)

• Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (AADC)

• National Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC)

• National Certified Adolescent Addictions Counselor (NCAAC)