Causes for Denial, Suspension, and Revocation of Certification

ANCC investigates all causes for denial, suspension, and revocation of a certification and as a result may take action to deny, suspend, or revoke a certification.

A. Cause for Denial, Suspension, or Revocation of Certification

Certification can be denied, suspended, or revoked for cause, including but not limited to the following:

1. failing to complete or provide evidence of completion of the requirements for initial certification, certification renewal or reactivation of certification;

2. failure to maintain the required professional licensure or other authority to practice;

3. failure to comply with the American Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics for Nurses or the applicable profession's code of ethics

4. failure to comply with the scope and standards of practice in an area in which certification is held;

5. failure to respond to or comply with ANCC audit inquiries and/or requests;

6. determination that initial certification or certification renewal was improperly granted or that certification was improperly reactivated, including but not limited to instances where it is determined that eligibility, application, or recertification documentation submitted by or on behalf of an applicant or certificant was inaccurate;

7. falsification or misstatement of information on any certification-related document;

8. providing false or misleading information;

9. cheating or assisting others to cheat, including but not limited to reproducing, distributing, or discussing by any means examination items/questions or content; acquiring by memorization and recollection from testing or by any other means, and/or knowingly using or acquiring materials containing such content;

10. causing, creating, or participating in an examination irregularity or misconduct;

11. assisting others to wrongfully obtain initial certification or to renew or reactivate certification;

12. misrepresentation of ANCC credentials;

13. conduct unbecoming of the nursing profession or the profession in which the person is regulated.

B. Applicant or Certificant Status During Complaint Review

Under COC Complaint Policy, ANCC may hold examination scores or delay conferral of initial certification for an applicant or delay renewal or reactivation of a certification if an applicant has an open complaint pending prior to the official grant of certification, renewal, or reactivation. 

C. Reporting Suspension or Revocation of Certification

1. To Licensing Authorities: Suspension and revocation of certification is reported to licensing authorities.

2. To Others: ANCC may report suspension or revocation of certification to employers, legal authorities, third party payers, and other third parties, including but not limited to, law enforcement officers or agencies.