Frequently Asked Questions
About Certification Renewal
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Q. Is continuing medical education (CME) accepted by ANCC for certification renewal?
A. Yes. One CME = 1.0 contact hours. -
Q. If I am certified in more than one specialty area, can I use the same contact hours for both certifications when I recertify?
A. Yes, but the majority (51%) of the continuing education credits submitted must be directly related to your area of certification. -
Q. What kinds of academic courses can I use for certification renewal?
A. It must be in your area of certification. But keep in mind, 51% of your continuing education credits must be in your specialty area. As of January 2003, 50% of your continuing education credits must be obtained from an ANCC-accredited or approved provider. -
Q. I am certified as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Health and I precept nursing students in a baccalaureate program two days a week, can I count this time toward meeting Category 5 (preceptorship) professional development requirements for certification renewal?
A. No. You must precept nursing students in the same role and specialty as your certification. -
Q. Can I use self-study and journals for my contact hours?
A. Independent study that is approved for continuing education credits may be used for 100% of the hours required for certification renewal. -
Q. Do contact hours need to be approved or accredited by a national organization?
A. As of January 1, 2003, 50% of your contact hours must be provided by an ANCC accredited or approved provider. Please see our list of ANCC Accredited providers and approvers. -
Q. How far in advance of my certifcation renewal date must I submit my application?
A.Please submit it no later than ten weeks before your renewal date. This allows timely processing of your application, and if necessary provides you with the opportunity to submit any additional information and avoid a lapse. (If you will renew by retesting, please start the process a year in advance of your renewal date -
Q. Does ANCC send reminders when it is time for me to renew?
A. While we will make every effort to contact you by email or other means, ultimately it is your professional responsibility to renew your certification on time. Your renewal dates should be included as part of your personal professional development plan. -
Q. How can I make sure you know how to reach me (have my correct email/mailing address)?
A.You can use ANCC Online to verify and update your personal information in real time. Please update your information anytime your email or home address changes. This link can also be accessed from our main webpage at www.nursecredentialing.org. -
Q. Why do I need to send in my certification renewal application 10 weeks ahead of time?
A. This allows for timeliness in processing your re-certification application and ensuring that the nurse becomes re-certified without a lapse.
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