Accreditation for Providers & Approvers of Continuing Nursing Education
There are several different ways to become recognized as a provider of continuing nursing education through ANCC. (NOTE: Only ANA constituent member associations, specialty nursing organizations, and federal nursing services are eligible to apply to be approvers.)
The first way is to apply to ANCC to become an accredited provider. Application fees range from $3,600 to $6,600, the annual fee is $250, and there is a required site visit for which the applicant will pay the expenses (they average $2,000). The accreditation term is for six years--during which time the provider may implement as many activities as wanted without further fees. Applications/self-studies may be submitted on CD-ROM, but hard copies will need to be sent also. Eight copies are required.
All RN licensing boards nationwide acknowledge and accept contact hours from accredited providers. The only exception is the California Board of Registered Nursing which states that if the provider enters their state and presents an activity on California soil, the provider must also apply to the California Board for approval in order for the nurses from California to use the provider's contact hours for renewing their licenses. The California Board of Registered Nursing is in Sacramento, and their number is 916-322-3350.
The second option is to become an approved provider through a constituent member association (CMA) that is an accredited approver through ANCC. Most CMAs are state nurses associations (do not confuse them with state licensing boards). The CMAs have different application fees, so we cannot tell you here how much they would charge. See our list of all accredited organizations to find out if your state nurses association is an accredited approver. To find their phone number, see the list of CMAs. Approval is good for three years. The status with the RN licensing boards is the same as above.
The third option is to apply to one of our approvers (see above) to have a specific educational activity approved for two years. The status with the RN licensing boards is the same as above.
Eligibility Requirements
Organizations applying for ANCC accreditation must meet the following basic requirements:
- Be operational, using ANCC's Commission on Accreditation (COA) criteria for a minimum of six months.
- Have planned, implemented, and evaluated at least (3) three different education activities reflecting compliance with ANCC Commission on Accreditation (COA) criteria.
- Have a registered nurse with a graduate degree in nursing or a related specialty who is responsible for planning, developing, implementing and evaluating the continuing nursing education activities. One degree, either baccalaureate or graduate, must be in nursing.
Application Cycle Timetable for Accreditation
Accreditation applications are accepted twice each year, in the Spring and Fall, as follows:
- Spring Cycle: Application must be received by February 1.
- Fall Cycle: Application must be received by August 1.
Application Manuals
Before applying for ANCC accreditation, organizations must obtain the Manual for Accreditation as an Approver or a Provider of Continuing Nursing Education detailing specific criteria that must be met to qualify for accreditation. The manual provides complete information on submitting an application. The cost of each manual is $50 plus an $8 for shipping and handling. For information on ordering a copy of the manual, call 800-284-2378, ext. 5263.
Intent to apply
So that the accreditation staff may plan for upcoming application cycles, advance notification of your organization's intent to apply for accreditation is requested. This will also serve to alert us if your application materials are not received by the deadline. An intent to apply form is not an application; it simply serves to hold your organization's place in an upcoming cycle. This indication of intent does not obligate your organization to apply.
If you have additional questions, send e-mail to Senior Accreditation Specialist Barbara Feild, or call 800-284-2378, ext. 5263.
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