SPECIAL NOTICE: The Customer Care Center will be closed on Friday, August 22 and will reopen for regular business hours on Monday, August 25. Urgent requests for verification of certification can be sent to customerservice@ana.org during this closure.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Certification Program will give you the opportunity to advance your nursing career and prove your ability to provide the best patient care. Demonstrate your commitment to nursing with the most respected certification in the profession. Whether you are looking to achieve your first certification, ready to renew, or exploring new certifications, scroll down to find the certification you need.
Average Certification Application Processing Time (updated 07.30.2025):
Applications to Test: 5 business days*
Official Transcript processing time: 6 business days
*Provided all required documentation has been received.
Whatever your practice level or desired specialty, an ANCC Certification Program is nationally recognized as the measure of the nurse’s ability to provide competent care.
ANCC has set the bar for excellence in health since 1990. Today there are more than a quarter million ANCC certified nurses. By achieving this milestone, you join these exceptional nurses in demonstrating your specialized knowledge and continuing competence.
Knowledge is power. Explore our Certification Policies page to learn details on all of the specific policies, procedures, applications, and forms that you need for nursing certification. Whether it's your first certification or if you want to renew your certification, check out our Certification Handbook and Renewal Handbook for complete info and steps pertaining to ANCC board certification.
ANA has a wide range of affordable resources to suit your style of learning including test-preparation workshops, webinars, and on-demand courses. These resources will give you extra confidence and help you to achieve your ANCC certification.
To achieve ANCC Certification, you must meet the eligibility criteria for the specialty and pass the relevant certification exam. All ANCC Certification exams are available year-round via our test partner, Prometric, who provide convenient, secure, and reliable tests in thousands of test centers across the U.S. and the world.
To locate a test center and schedule your certification test, visit our Prometric Test Center page.
The ANCC Certification Program enables nurses to demonstrate their specialty expertise and validate their knowledge to employers and patients. Through targeted exams that incorporate the latest clinical practices, ANCC certification empowers nurses with pride and professional satisfaction.
