Group and Bulk Discount Programs


Group Discount Program
AACN Certification Corporation offers discounted exam application fees to employers or AACN chapters submitting ten (10) or more applications together in one packet. This discount must be requested via e-mail (see below) at least two (2) months in advance of desired testing dates, and is good for initial CCRN, PCCN, CMC and CSC certification exams to be taken via computer-based testing at an AMP Assessment Center. (Sorry, this offer does not extend to the CCNS exam).

A single contact person for the group must request the discount by e-mailing certcorp@aacn.org. Requests should include the following information:

- Name and address of hospital or institution
- Name, phone number and e-mail address of contact person
- Number of applicants expected (minimum of 10 required for group discount pricing)
- Exam type(s) - CCRN Adult, CCRN Pediatric, CCRN Neonatal, PCCN, CMC and/or CSC

The contact person will be responsible for collecting and submitting all applications for the group.

Different exams may be combined in the packet to reach the minimum number of 10 applications. Proper payment for each exam must accompany the applications. See chart below for pricing:

Number Exam Regular Price Discounted Price per application
10+ CCRN $325 $200
  PCCN $250 $150
  CMC or CSC $180 $120

The discounted group pricing applies for both AACN members and nonmembers. If 5 or more wish to join AACN at the same time as applying for the exam, the fee is $69 per person for a year of membership (regular annual AACN membership fee is $78). Certification exam applicants are also eligible for a discounted 3-year AACN Membership rate of $179.35.

All applicants must meet eligibility requirements for their respective exam, and should thoroughly review the Certification Exam Handbook prior to applying.

To apply, candidates will need to:
  • Complete all pages of the exam application found in the Certification Exam Handbook.
  • Cross out the Initial Exam AACN Member Price and write in the lower group discount price.
  • Write the group name (e.g., name of hospital/institution or abbreviation of such) in large letters at the top of the application.
  • Include payment.
The group contact person will need to:
  • Set an internal due date to receive all applications.
  • Collect all applications and payments and review for completeness.
  • Create a cover letter listing names and exam types of all applicants, noting if membership is also being purchased; and specifying computer-based testing. An e-mail address and phone number should also be included.
  • Submit cover letter and all applications in the same envelope to the attention of:
    Jean Evingham, Customer Care
    AACN Certification Corporation
    101 Columbia, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

The contact person will be notified when the group of applications is received. An e-mail and postcard with exam scheduling information will be sent to each applicant.

Advantages of computer-based testing include immediate score reporting and flexibility of scheduling. Each applicant has a 90-day period during which to schedule and sit for their exam. Testing is offered twice daily at over 100 Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc. (AMP) testing centers across the U.S. Click here to locate your nearest AMP computer-based testing center.

For questions please contact us at certification@aacn.org or call (800) 899-2226.


Group Paper and Pencil Exams
Paper and pencil exams are offered to those who live outside the U.S. who have access to a DANTES (military) testing site and at facilities located 3 hours or more from the nearest AMP computer-based testing center. Requests for paper and pencil exams are considered on a case-by-case basis. Requests must be submitted at least 3 months prior to the exam date via e-mail to certification@aacn.org. Upon approval, all applications and fees are due to AACN, in one envelope with a cover sheet, 10 weeks prior to the paper and pencil exam session.

Paper and pencil exams are offered each year in May at the National Teaching Institute (NTI) . The next NTI paper and pencil exam, offered at a discounted rate, will be Monday, May 5, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois.

Paper and pencil testing is also available twice yearly in April and October at the Trends in Critical Care Conference. The next Trends exam will be Thursday, April 10, 2008 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The NTI and Trends exams require special exam applications and are due several weeks before the exam session. Information about these special paper and pencil exam sessions is available 3 months prior to the exam session on the Certification Web site , under What's New.

Results of paper and pencil exams are mailed to candidates 6-8 weeks following the exam date.

For more information about paper and pencil testing please e-mail us at certification@aacn.org or call (800) 899-2226, ext. 268.

Bulk Discount Program
A bulk discount on certification exam fees may be obtained by an employer's pre-payment of certification fees for blocks of fifty (50) applicants. Bulk discounts are available for computer-based testing only. This discount must be requested at least two (2) months in advance of desired testing dates, and is good for initial CCRN, PCCN, CMC and CSC certification exams to be taken via computer based testing at an AMP Assessment Center. (Sorry, this offer does not extend to the CCNS exam).

Different exams may be combined to make a total block of fifty (50) exams. Pre-paid vouchers will be provided for the employer to distribute to exam candidates, which the candidate will attach to their standard certification exam application. Vouchers are valid for 2 years from the date of issue. Vouchers may not be redeemed for cash or for another exam type. Vouchers will not be replaced if lost or stolen. Voucher cover the exam fee only, not AACN membership. For information about bulk membership discounts, please click here or call (800) 899-2226.

Bulk discount certification voucher pricing is as follows:

Number Exam Regular Price per Application Discounted Price per Application Discounted Price paid by employer
50 CCRN $300 $175 $8,750 (if all CCRN)
  PCCN $250 $140 $7,000 (if all PCCN)
  CMC or CSC $180 $105 $5,250 (if all CMC/CSC)

An employer may obtain more information and request the bulk discount by e-mailing certification@aacn.org. For questions please e-mail us at certification@aacn.org or call (800) 899-2226, ext. 268.