States Accepting the ACNPC

AACN Certification Corporation has contacted the State Boards of Nursing in all 50 states to request recognition of the ACNPC certification exam for acute care nurse practitioners. This recognition can be either by:

• Approval of AACN Certification Corporation as an authorized certification body acceptable to the board, or
• Approval of the exam itself as a certifying exam acceptable to the board.

Like any new provider of an advanced practice certification exam used as a proxy measure for APRN licensure or designation, AACN Certification Corporation will need to be approved on a state-by-state basis. We are currently in the process of seeking approval from individual boards of nursing.

Please check with your state board of nursing to make sure that ACNPC exam certification meets your state's requirements for advanced practice designation or licensure.

The following states have approved the ACNPC exam:

Although ACNPC certification is not required in the following states, the credential provides an opportunity for advanced practice nurses to further enhance and validate their skills and knowledge, as well as allowing for reimbursement for services provided by Medicare and Medicaid (CMS).

All nurses intending to use the ACNPC to obtain AP licensure in their state should check with their State Board of Nursing for specific licensing requirements before sitting for the exam, including those practicing in the states listed above.

Although not every Board of Nursing has the statutory authority to establish or approve an advanced practice category, we are continuing to monitor legislation in those states.

Pressure from managed care groups, reimbursement issues and the desire to conform to the same practices as neighboring states all have had some degree of effect on the move toward the regulation of advanced practice.

Look for future updates, and please let us know of any new advanced practice activities in your home states.