Nursing Professional Development Certification (NPD-BC™)
Credential Awarded: NPD-BC™
The ANCC Nursing Professional Development board certification examination is a competency based examination that provides a valid and reliable assessment of the entry-level clinical knowledge and skills of registered nurses in the nursing professional development specialty after initial RN licensure. Once you complete eligibility requirements to take the certification examination and successfully pass the exam, you are awarded the credential: Registered Nurse-Board Certified (NPD-BC™). This credential is valid for 5 years.
The Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC) and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accredit this ANCC certification.
FIRST-TIME APPLICANTS: For faster service, please have your documents available in an electronic format to upload during the application process. If your documents are not available upon application, you may upload them at any time by clicking here..
Effective February 26, 2025: The Test Content Outline and Reference List for the Nursing Professional Development certification exam will be updated. Please access the appropriate Test Content Outlines and Reference Lists below. There will be a 9-business day test suspension period to allow for the exams to be updated. You may test before February 17, 2025, or on or after February 26, 2025.
See below for instruction and pricing for new and renewal applications.
Apply
Apply for Certification
Initial Certification Application
You may apply for this computer-based test year round and test during a 120-day window at a time and location convenient to you. The exam allows 3 hours to answer 150 questions (125 scored plus 25 pretest questions that are not scored). For exam prep resources, scroll down to view Study Aids. If you do not pass a certification exam, learn about retesting.
STEP 1: Review Pricing, Eligibility Requirements, and FAQs
Review certification pricing and eligibility requirements below. FAQs provide a deeper dive into topics including online application, document submission, APRN and RN specialty certification requirements, and renewal requirements.
See Pricing & Discounts
| Pricing & Discounts | INITIAL CERTIFICATION |
| Non-member | $395 |
| American Nurses Association members* | $295 |
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Eligibility
- Hold a current, active RN license in a state or territory of the United States or hold the professional, legally recognized equivalent in another country
- Hold a bachelor’s or higher degree in nursing
- Have practiced the equivalent of 2 years full-time as a registered nurse
- Have a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice in nursing professional development within the last 3 years
- Have completed 30 hours of continuing education in nursing professional development within the last 3 years
(ANCC will accept unofficial transcripts, which ANCC defines as either a photocopy of a transcript, a comprehensive record of your academic progress or a print out of all work completed, to date, including coursework, grades and degree(s) earned or in progress which will allow ANCC to process and review your application. ANCC reserves the right to reject any unofficial transcript that appears to be altered.)
Apply from Outside the U.S.
Learn about additional requirements for candidates outside the U.S.
STEP 2: Apply
STEP 3: Submit Education Verification Documents
| Mail/E-Mail these materials: | Mailing address: | Email: |
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All transcripts (Official/Unofficial) |
ANCC Certification 8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 400 Silver Spring, MD 20910 |
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Final, Official Transcript. This is needed to become certified.
Key:
- Final, Official transcript = transcript must come directly from school and the degree conferral and date of degree/post-graduate certificate awarded is listed on transcript.
- Official transcript = transcript must come directly from school, either via hard-copy mail or through an electronic transcript submission service
- Unofficial transcript = a photocopy of a transcript, a comprehensive record of your academic progress or a print out of all work completed, to date, including coursework, grades and degree(s) earned (may come from the school or student)
Step 4: Testing
To schedule your exam, visit the Prometric website at https://www.prometric.com/ancc and use your certification number to schedule your exam
Maintain & Renew
Maintain Certification
To maintain certification, complete professional development requirements between the start and end dates of your certification, and provide this information on your renewal application.
CALENDAR Your Renewal Date
Certifications are renewed every 5 years. You may submit a renewal application up to 1 year prior to your expiration. You may be ineligible to practice beyond your expiration date.
CREATE an ANCC Account
Track professional development, mail preferences and purchases in one place. Online applications are also stored in your account. Visit Access My Account
UPDATE Contact Information
If you move, change names or acquire a new phone or email, please update contact details in your account. Or email Customer Care or call 1.800.284.2378.
DISPLAY Your Credentials
Learn common questions and answers about displaying your credentials in the proper order.
Download How to Display Your Credentials.
TRACK PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WITH ANCC
Online renewal is simpler when you store professional development activities in your ANCC account immediately upon completion. At renewal, you can transfer stored information to the renewal application, saving time. Note: To renew online, you must store professional development activities before starting the online renewal application.
- After each activity, gather proof of professional development.
- Click Track Professional Development to the right.
- Enter and save professional development activities.
- From account summary, top right column, under Professional Development find links to enter continuing education (contact hours), academic credits, presentations, publications/research, preceptorship and professional service.
- Log out.
Renew Certification
Renewal Certification Application
You may submit a renewal application up to 1 year prior to your expiration.
STEP 1: Review Requirements, FAQs, and Pricing
See Pricing & Discounts
| Pricing & Discounts | RENEWAL |
| Non-member | $350 |
| American Nurses Association members* pay as low as | $250 |
*Separate membership discounts apply.
- Prices above include $140 non-refundable administrative fee. Additional fees for special services may apply. See application for details.
- Discounts may be claimed for up to 5 business days after ANCC receives your application. Discount claims received after this time will not be honored and refunds will not be issued.
STEP 2: Submit Renewal Application
Required: BEFORE starting a renewal application online, proof of professional development must be entered and stored in your ANCC online account. To record professional development activities go to Track Professional Development with ANCC. Then return to renew online.
RENEW ONLINE TRACK PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
RENEW BY MAIL
If you would like to renew by mail, please send a request to certification@ana.org.
