Volunteer Position Descriptions

Content Expert Panels (CEP)

Each CEP is responsible for the development of the certification exam within a particular specialty under the guidance of the ANCC Measurement Services Staff. The panels are composed of up to 10 members, including a chair and vice chair. These panels are balanced with regard to practice, expertise, educational background, nursing role, practice setting, geographic location, and years of experience.

The appointment term is three years, and members can serve no more than two terms. CEPs typically meet an average of four times per year, depending on the test development cycle. Meetings are virtual or in-person and usually last two or three days. Meetings held in-person are at our office in Silver Spring, MD. ANCC pays for travel-related costs associated with meetings held on-site. CEP members earn contact hours towards Renewal Category 1.

To qualify as a CEP member, you must spend at least 50% of your professional time engaged in practice in the role, population, and specialty of the certification area to which you are seeking appointment. You must also have an active ANCC certification in your field of practice and hold an unencumbered license to practice.

CONTENT EXPERT PANEL VOLUNTEER PROFILE

Item Writers

Item writers contribute questions that appear on ANCC certification exams. Volunteers are selected with regard to practice, expertise, educational background, nursing role, practice setting, geographic location, and years of experience. Those who are selected must attend an Item Writer Workshop, which is a live, virtual two hour meeting to learn how to write sound exam items and how to reference exam items. Item writers will serve on a Item Writing Panel for an 18 month term. Item writers interact closely with an ANCC Senior Editor to revise and refine items. Item writers can receive up to 75 contact hours towards Renewal Category 1.

To qualify as an item writer, you must spend at least 50% of your professional time engaged in practice in the role, population, and specialty of the certification area to which you are seeking appointment. You must also have an active ANCC certification in your field of practice and hold an unencumbered license to practice.

Item Writer Volunteer Profile

Standard Setting Panels

ANCC conducts standard setting studies for each new exam to set the passing score. The panel is comprised of 10 members, including the CEP chair for that particular specialty. Volunteers are selected with regard to practice, expertise, educational background, nursing role, practice setting, geographic location, and years of experience. Those who are selected must participate in a two-day meeting held at ANCC’s office in Silver Spring, MD. ANCC pays for travel-related costs associated with meetings held on-site. Standard setters can receive up to 15 contact hours towards Renewal Category 1.

To qualify to serve on the standard setting panel you must spend at least 50% of your professional time engaged in practice in the role, population, and specialty of the certification area to which you are seeking appointment. You must also have an active ANCC certification in your field of practice and hold an unencumbered license to practice.

Standard setter Volunteer Profile