What is ANCC?
The ANCC is the American Nurses Credentialing Center, an organization that promotes excellence in nursing and healthcare worldwide through credentialing and accreditation programs. As a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA), the ANCC certifies individual nurses in specialty practice areas. It also accredits healthcare organizations that provide and approve continuing nursing education. This professional organization is one of the largest in the world and features many opportunities for networking, education, and certification.
Who Should Take ANCC Certification Tests?
If you are looking to be certified in nursing or nursing specialty areas, the ANCC certification exams are for you. While the tests are open to anyone who meets eligibility requirements, those interested in studying for and eventually taking an ANCC exam usually fall into one of two categories: nursing students and working nurses.
- Nursing students: The first target audience for these exams is current nursing students approaching graduation. If you have completed your necessary coursework and obtained a degree or license, a certification will augment your studies.
Becoming ANCC-certified shows that you have not only completed the base education and training requirements, but also that you went above and beyond to illustrate your expertise and specialization. Earning an ANCC certificate distinguishes you from other recent graduates and further proves your capabilities as a nurse entering the field.
- Working nurses: The second target demographic is more experienced nurses who have been out of school for years and desire a certification renewal. As an experienced nurse, you might want to show that you are still solid on the essentials and have stayed up-to-date on new developments in the field, or want to broaden your practice with a new specialty area. No matter your situation, renewing your ANCC certification can help demonstrate your commitment to the profession.
What is ANCC Certification?
ANCC certification is a professional certification credential from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Certification acts as evidence of your nursing expertise and your ability to provide quality patient care and is recognized by employers nationwide as validation of your competence in the field.
What are ANCC Certification Requirements?
To get ANCC certified, you need to pass the ANCC certification test for your specialty area and meet preliminary eligibility requirements.
Before you explore the different test options and begin your test prep, make sure to check your eligibility. Each certification has unique eligibility requirements, but most require at least a valid RN license. You can learn more about the eligibility requirements for your intended certification on the ANCC website:
- For ANCC Certification, go to the ANCC website.
- Select the nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or specialty certification that you want to achieve.
- Review the application information and eligibility FAQs.
What are the Different Types of ANCC Certifications?
The ANCC offers a number of nursing certifications, and Exam Edge offers practice tests to help prepare you for the certification exams. Some of the most popular ANCC certifications include:
ANCC Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
The ANCC Clinical Nurse Specialist Core Certification is aimed at registered nurses who want to validate their knowledge and skills as clinical nurse specialists. Passing the test will earn you the CNS-BC credential (Clinical Nurse Specialist-Board Certified), and Exam Edge can help you prepare for the ANCC CNS Core exam.
ANCC Nurse Practitioner
The ANCC offers several Nurse Practitioner (NP) Certifications for registered nurses who want to validate their knowledge and skills in a NP specialty area. Depending on which test you take, you can earn credentials including:
ANCC Renewal Only
To maintain your ANCC credentials, you need to renew your certification every 5 years. Renewing your certification can be useful for career development, as a recently renewed certificate helps you stand out compared to other nurses who have not taken tests since they began practicing.
The ANCC renewal process requires a few extra steps beyond just one exam since you must show you have actively engaged with your subject and taken hours of classes before exams. However, the effort is more than worth it — obtaining and renewing ANCC certification illustrates your dedication to the nursing profession.
Whether you are a new nurse who recently graduated and is looking for certification or an experienced nurse interested in renewing your ANCC certification, Exam Edge can help you meet all your test prep needs. To find more details about your specific ANCC recertification requirements, enter your credential in the search bar at the top of this page.
ANCC Specialty Certifications
The ANCC offers more than a dozen specialty certifications, including:
- Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (ACNPC)
- Ambulatory Care Nursing (RN)
- Cardiac Vascular Nursing (RN)
- Gerontological Nursing (RN)
- Informatics Nursing (RN-BC Informatics)
- Medical-Surgical Nursing (RN)
- National Healthcare Disaster Certification (NHDP)
- Nurse Executive (NE-BC)
- Nurse Executive - Advanced (NEA-BC)
- Nursing Case Management (RN)
- Pain Management Nursing (RN)
- Pediatric Nursing (RN)
- Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing (RN)
.
To earn any of these credentials, you will need to pass the corresponding certification exam. Search our site for your desired test to get further information.
How to Pass ANCC Exams?
To pass an exam, you will need to score at least 350 out of 500 points. Your score out of 500 is known as your "scale score." It is converted from your "raw score," which is simply the number of items you answered correctly.
Depending on which test you take, you will answer 125-150 ANCC exam questions, plus 25 additional "pilot questions" that do not count towards your score.
To maximize your score, do not leave any items blank. There is no penalty for guessing, so it is in your best interest to answer all ANCC test questions.
What are ANCC tests typically broken down by?
The exact breakdown of content, sections, and topics will vary depending on the specific exam you take. However, you can expect the test to have 3 to 5 categories that cover key material in a dedicated subject area, called a content domain. Each category will have a number of questions that assess your knowledge and skills in the topics of that content domain.
- Knowledge: Depending on the exam you take, you may be tested on your knowledge of relevant nursing fundamentals, anatomy and physiology, diagnostic criteria, theories and techniques, legal policies and principles, and other information.
- Skills: Depending on the exam you take, you may be tested on your skills in leadership and management, communication, cultural competency, patient assessment, diagnosis, ethics, and other applications of your specialized nursing knowledge.
You can learn more about what content makes up your chosen exam by searching online for the official test content outline for the current year's exam. This outline is published by the ANCC, and breaks down:
- The specific categories you will be tested on
- The number of questions in each section
- The percentage of the overall score that each section accounts for
The test content outline also provides a detailed outline of the knowledge and skills you need to be prepared for in each content area.
Besides understanding what constitutes a passing score, the most important part of passing your exam is to create and stick to a practice plan. Read on to learn more about how to study smart and ace the test.
ANCC Exam Prep
Tests offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) demand extensive preparation. ANCC exams are used to qualify healthcare workers for professional practice and are nothing if not challenging, but adequate study and test practice can help you pass with flying colors.
In particular, ANCC practice tests can help you prepare for the real exam. Exam Edge offers several ANCC practice exams to guide your study sessions. A single practice test can reveal both strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to tailor your remaining study sessions to the content areas where you need the most support.
How to prepare for ANCC exams
Step 1: Check Eligibility and Apply
To apply for ANCC certification, you first need to determine your eligibility. The eligibility criteria vary depending on the type of certification you are interested in. The general requirements usually include:
- A valid RN license
- A certain amount of clinical practice hours
- Specific educational prerequisites
Once you have determined your eligibility, you can apply for the certification on the ANCC website.
Step 2: Schedule the Exam
After your application has been reviewed and approved, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) email. You can then schedule your exam through Prometric, the testing service used by ANCC. You can choose a testing center near your location and select a convenient date and time for your exam.
Step 3: Practice, Practice, Practice!
After your exam is scheduled comes the most important part of preparation: studying the relevant material and assessing your knowledge with practice tests. This is where we come in! Exam Edge's ANCC practice questions will help you assess your knowledge, focus your study efforts, and give you a preview of the format and style of the real exam so you can be calm and confident on testing day.
Step 4: Take the Exam
On the day of your exam, arrive at the testing center at least 15 minutes early so you can check in and get settled before the exam begins. Make sure to bring your ATT email and a valid form of ID.
Location Information and Other Resources
The ANCC's testing partner, Prometric, has testing centers across the United States and internationally. You can find the testing center closest to you through the Prometric website.
For more exam prep tips, check out these blog articles:
ANCC Practice Exams
Studying for a certification exam can be daunting, but you can prepare efficiently and effectively by utilizing practice tests. Exam Edge's ANCC practice exams come in a variety of formats, including both timed and untimed. Depending on what stage of test prep you are at, you may want to try out both timed and untimed practice exams.
- A timed exam best simulates a real-life exam experience. Timed practice exams help you get comfortable with the pressure of the "ticking clock" and get a gauge of your test-taking pace. Even if you must guess, it is in your best interest to answer every question. A timed online practice test can help you figure out whether you need to answer questions more quickly to complete them all, or if you should slow down your pace and spend more time with each item.
- An untimed exam that includes solution explanations for each test item. Ideal for notetaking and brushing up on the content areas that you feel least confident about, the untimed option is a fantastic study tool. By eliminating the urgency of a timed test, you can remove some of the stress and better assess your knowledge (and knowledge gaps).
Regardless of whether you select a timed or untimed practice test, you will be able to see which ANCC sample questions you got wrong and receive detailed explanations for what the correct answer actually is. Both options are available for every Exam Edge practice exam.
We also help by working with your schedule, since all our tests are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You have the option to pause and resume exams at your convenience. Furthermore, since everyone has their own preferences for studying in this technological era, Exam Edge is compatible with all devices - you can even start a test on one device and resume on another!
These various options and formats are designed with you in mind. Your focus should be on acing your practice tests, not on worrying about when or how to study. Whether you decide to study in the library with a group of your classmates, from a coffee shop with a trusted friend, or alone on your couch, Exam Edge is there!
Try a FREE ANCC Practice Test
If you are still questioning whether an ANCC practice exam is right for you, try out a complimentary Exam Edge ANCC practice test to see whether it works for you. Our ten-question sample tests are free and include both timed and untimed options. These easy-to-use practice test features can add tremendous value to your study efforts. By understanding exactly how to pace yourself on the actual test, you can ensure you never run out of time to answer the questions. Untimed practice tests can be equally useful - take notes and learn at your own pace while you plug away at one question at a time.
If you like what you see, consider signing up today for all of your ANCC test prep needs. Study after study has revealed just how helpful practice tests are to the exam preparation process - they're one of the most effective study tools available.
Whatever your ambitions, our practice exams can help prepare you for ANCC exams, qualify for professional certification, and get taken more seriously by hiring managers everywhere.
Try it for yourself: take a free ANCC practice test online with Exam Edge!
