Q. What is the value of certification?
A. Certification protects the public by enabling anyone to identify competent people more readily. Simultaneously it aids the profession by encouraging and recognizing professional achievement. Certification also recognizes specialization, enhances professionalism and, in some cases, serves as a criterion for financial reimbursement. It may also foster an enlarged role within the employment setting. Because certification of nursing practice signifies attainment of specific criteria and knowledge, skills, and abilities in a specific specialty field, certified nurses comprise a minority of the professional nurse population. return to top

Q. How many nurses have been certified by ANCC?
A. More than a quarter million nurses have been certified by ANCC since 1991. Approximately 75,000 advanced practice nurses are currently certified by ANCC. return to top

Q. How are nurses certified by ANCC?
A. Before nurses can sit for a certification examination, they must demonstrate that they hold active RN licenses, have the appropriate education, and, for all but nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists, have experience in the specialty field. Those who have met the eligibility requirements can then register to take the certification examination. return to top

Each exam is designed by certified nurses in the specialty under the guidance of a professional psychometrician who ensures that all tests are psychometrically sound and legally defensible. Tests are based on the scope and standards of practice approved by the American Nurses Association Congress of Nursing Practice and Economics. The paper-and-pencil tests generally are given twice each year at many locations around the United States and at military installations abroad. Most Clinical Nurse Specialist and all Nurse Practitioner, Informatics Nursing, Cardiac/Vascular, and Gerontological examinations can be taken at the candidate's convenience because they are computer-based. return to top

Q. When are exams given?
A. ANCC administers nearly 30 specialty and advanced practice certification examinations each year. ANCC certification exams are administered by authorized testing agencies at locations across the country. The exams are given in either computer-based or paper-and-pencil format. Paper-and-pencil exams are generally given twice a year. Dates for the computer-based exams will be sent to applicants by the authorized testing agency. return to top

Q: How do I order Review Manuals?
A. You can order the review manuals in our Bookstore. return to top

Q: How do attendees register for seminars and workshops?
A. If you want to register for the seminars and workshops, you can access the calendar which lists all the events by ANCC. You can also register for seminars in the Nurse Specialties pages. return to top

Q: How are certification exams scored?
A:The number of questions on the examination is 150 scored test items plus 25 pilot test items that do not count on your score.

The raw passing score on an examination (e.g., 105 out of 150) is established using a systematic standard setting procedure that employs the judgment of a group of subject-matter experts in your nursing specialty. ANCC works in cooperation with the content expert panel to adopt the passing score which reflects the minimum level of knowledge needed in the specialty area to practice the profession safely. The raw passing score is then transformed to a scale score.

A raw score on an examination refers to the number of test questions answered correctly. A scale score is a linear transformation of a raw score. Transforming a raw score to a scale score is similar to transforming your height from feet to centimeters. A scale score is neither the number of questions answered correctly nor the percentage of questions answered correctly.

For all ANCC examinations, a scale score of at least 350 on a maximum scale of 500 will be required to pass the examination. Raw score information will not be available to examinees. For passing examinees, the score report will indicate the scale score achieved and "pass" status. For examinees who do not achieve a scale score of at least 350, the score report will show the scale score achieved, "fail" status, and diagnostic feedback for each of the content areas covered by the examination.

The diagnostic feedback categories are:

        Low: The score you obtained for this content area is below an acceptable level. Substantial study of this content area is recommended prior to retaking the examination.
        Medium: The score you obtained for this content area is marginally acceptable; however, further study of this content area is recommended.
        High: The score you obtained for this content area is well above average; however, a review of thiscontent area may be helpful to you prior to retaking the examination.

The diagnostic feedback is intended to identify content areas that contributed to a failing score. The purpose of the diagnostic feedback is to help failing candidates tailor their study for a future examination. Please note, reporting the score in scale format does not affect the pass/fail status of a candidate. The pass/fail status is determined based on whether the candidate has correctly responded to the required number of items. return to top