National Certifications and Recertification Requirements By: Kristin Fahsel Roberta Canavan

Definition It is essential that the Nurse Practitioner understands the requirements of National Certification as well Recertification Requirements!

Objectives To begin, it is the goal of this presentation to better familiarize the Nurse Practitioner student with the following objectives: What is National Certification? How does it differ from Licensure? Do I need to be nationally certified to practice as an NP? Differences between the AANP and the ANCC. Implications of the APRN Consensus model; Are NP’s affected? How do I become recertified?

Implications Implications Regarding APRN Consensus model? *APRN Consensus model was created to address the differences among states. *To be Implemented in 2015. (target date) New NP grads through 2013 will certify with the current examinations, and will be “grandfathered in” to continue practice. Eligibility requirements for “grandfathering” may vary from state to state. Employers may change credentialing criteria based on the APRN consensus model The APRN consensus model affects the Family NP, Pediatric NP, Women’s Healthcare NP, and Neonatal NP certification exams. NPs who graduate after 2013, may need to repeat exams, due to content.

National Certification Certification in a specialty and mastering the knowledge and skills of that specialty are measured by an applicant becoming accredited by either the AANP or the ANCC. Accreditation is based on a nationally recognized test and the applicant must meet all criteria established within the organization.

Licensure vs. Certification A license enables the graduate the right to engage in a profession based upon the fact that they have met the educational criteria competently. A certification assures that the graduating professional has mastered a body of knowledge and has acquired skills in a specialty area. There are several specialty certifications: Acute care, Adult, Family, Pediatric, Gerontological, Adult Psychiatric Mental health, Family Psychiatric and Women’s Health. www nurse-practitioners-and-physicianassistants.advanceweb.com

The Value of the NP becoming Nationally certified is dependent upon the type of practice. It is often required for credentialing by Medicare, Medicaid, and The Department of veteran’s affairs. Many health insurance companies are now requiring certification for credentialing, which also includes licensure, certification and recognition= reimbursement!

Most importantly, Credentialing is needed to bill for reimbursement Most importantly, Credentialing is needed to bill for reimbursement. Billing for reimbursement without up to date licensing and certification is Fraud! Stay up to date and be sure your certification doesn’t lapse!

ANCC American Nurses Credentialing Center The ANCC Certification Program is nationally accredited Family Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (FNP-BC) Many certifications available – Acute care NP, Adult NP, Family NP, Gerontological NP, Pediatric NP, Psychiatric NP (some will no longer be available after December 31st, 2014) Website: http://www.nursecredentialing.org/default.aspx (American Nurses Credentialing Center, 2014)

ANCC Certification Requirements (FNP) Hold a current and active RN license Final transcripts Validation of Education form signed by the school Hold a master’s, post graduate, or doctoral degree from a family nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Needs a minimum of 500 clinical hours Comprehensive graduate level courses in advanced physiology/pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology Courses in health promotion, differential diagnosis, and disease management (American Nurses Credentialing Center, 2014)

ANCC Exam Exam allows 4 hours to answer 200 questions (175 scored and 25 pretest questions that are not scored) ANCC-encompasses Theoretical foundations of advanced practice roles, healthcare policy and delivery, clinical assessment and management Results are immediate Certificate mailed in 3-4 weeks. Cost for initial certification: Non –member $395 American Nurses Association members $270 American Association of Nurse Practitioner member $340 American Association of Nurse Practitioner student member $290 (American Nurses Credentialing Center, 2014)

ANCC Recertification Requirements Certifications are renewed every 5 years Hold an active RN license, current ANCC certification Complete professional development requirements Complete a minimum of 1,000 practice hours in certified role/population If unable to complete 1,000 hours, then can repeat and pass the exam Cost for renew: Non –member $350 American Nurses Association members $200 American Association of Nurse Practitioner member $280 (American Nurses Credentialing Center, 2014)

ANCC Recertification Requirements Six categories of professional development: Category 1 – Continuing education hours 75 hours with at least 25 hours in Pharmacotherapeutics Category 2 – Academic credits 5 semester credits or 6 quarter credits of courses Category 3 – Presentations 5 different educational presentations totaling at least 5 hours Category 4 – Publication or Research 1 peer reviewed journal, book chapter (author, coauthor, editor, coeditor, or reviewer), primary grant writer, IRB research project, or completed dissertation or thesis Category 5 – Preceptor hours Minimum of 120 clinical hours Category 6 – Professional service 2 or more years of volunteer service All candidates must complete Category 1 PLUS one additional category. Can double category 1 (150 CME with 25 in Pharmacotherapeutics) (American Nurses Credentialing Center, 2014)

AANP American Association of Nurse Practitioners Family Nurse Practitioner – Certified (FNP-C) Entry level practice Many certifications available – Adult NP, Family NP, Adult Gerontology NP (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program, 2013)

AANP Certification Requirements (FNP) Current RN license Final transcripts Hold a master’s, post graduate, or doctoral degree from a family nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Need a minimum of 500 clinical hours Comprehensive graduate level courses in advanced pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology Courses in health promotion, differential diagnosis, and disease management (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program, 2013)

AANP Exam Test content includes family/individual across the life span and the wellness-illness continuum Encompasses: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, and Evaluation of Care. Exam allows 3 hours to complete 150 questions (135 scored and 15 pretest questions that are not scored) Results are immediate. Certificate mailed in 3-4 weeks Cost for initial certification: Non members $315 AANP members $240 (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program, 2013)

AANP Recertification Requirements Certifications are renewed every 5 years Current RN license, active AANP certification Complete a minimum of 1,000 practice hours in certified role/population Complete a minimum of 75 continuing education credits OR can repeat the exam Cost for renew by exam (additional fee for paper application) Non –member $315 AANP member $240 Cost for renew by practice hours & CE (additional fee for paper application) Non –member $195 AANP member $120 (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program, 2013)

Recertification ALL NP’s should know their Certification requirements for renewal & Date! Every Nurse Practitioner must renew certification to continue practicing! Specific requirements vary according to Certification & Accreditation Common threads for renewal Continuing Education Credits Conference attendance Academic credits-Advance take a class! Partake in Research! Publish an Article! Be a Preceptor! Recertification is usually every 5 years Women’s Health & Neonatal every 3 yrs. Retake Exam is an option if above quota not met. Must maintain practice in the NP role during recertification process. Must have active RN license during recertification process.

References American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program. (2013). AANPCP Candidate and renewal of certification handbook. Retrieved from http://www.aanpcert.org/ptistore/resource/documents/2013%20CandidateRenewalHan dbook%20-Rev%2011%2025%202013%20forNCCA%28FINAL%29.pdf American Nurses Credentialing Center. (2014). ANCC certification Center. Retrieved from http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Certification American Nurses Credentialing. (2014). 2014 Certification Renewal Requirements. Retrieved from http://www.nursecredentialing.org/RenewalRequirements.aspx American Nurses Credentialing. (2014). Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Eligibility Criteria. Retrieved from http://www.nursecredentialing.org/FamilyNP-Eligibility.aspx