Need to renew my expired ACNP certification

NursingGrace · Apr 30, 2012

My ACNP certification through ANCC expired in 2007 as I left the NP profession to start a family and tend to an ailing relative. Now, I would like to renew, however I do not have the professional development hours to renew via their PD hours + test option.
I have talked to their customer service line twice and she has assured me that if I have my alma mater send in the Verification Form listing the classes I completed in my ACNP program (graduated 2002) plus my transcript, I will be all set to test. However I can find nothing about this option on ANCC's website or in their renewal packet.
Anyone have experience with this situation? I emailed them about it today, just to confirm that this is a legitimate route to re-certification. Thanks in advance.

Saramarie, Did you obtain an answer to your question? I am in a similar situation (need to re-test since I chose to let my ANP and GNP certification lapse), so please let me know what you have discovered.

Since my certification tests will be retired soon, I am also attempting to learn the exact date when the tests will no longer be available. Emails to both the ANCC and my state board of nursing have unfortunately gone unanswered. I don't think there is a lot of clarity around this transition.

Thank you for sharing any information that you have.

Gratefully, NursingGrace

Dutch Tulip · May 17, 2012

Sorry for the delayed response. I found ANCC's customer service to be very receptive via email and they usually responded same day (phone operator was less clear I thought).

Anyway, I met all requirements to test and just got my authorization to test. In a way, I am testing as a new NP, even though I've been certified before. So I'm not really renewing (not paying renewal fees, but regular certification fees). They had me fill out a regular application instead of a renewal.

It seems that if your coursework and clinical hours still meet their requirements, you can test. I graduated in 2002 and look forward to passing my test the last week of May.

Hope that helps and let me know how things go for you!

kritlyn · May 21, 2012

Saramarie,If I can do it...you can, too. I was out of practice for 10 years taking care of my young children, sick husband, elderly aunt,etc. I studied for a whole year .... Like a job, everyday from 8am to 2pm and then passed both the Ancc and Aanp exams. Study hard, use many different resources and get a review course on tape or go live. Some encourage me but many more people tried to discourage me... NPs and MDs, I'm glad I didn't listen to the downers... Just kept plugging along and scored very high on the Aanp test. Best of luck to you!