AACRN - Advanced HIV/AIDS Certified Registered Nurse
- Cost $350-450
- Renews every 4 years
COURSE FORMAT
About
The Advanced HIV/AIDS Certified Registered Nurse (AACRN) certification validates the advanced knowledge and skills of registered nurses caring for patients with HIV and AIDS. The HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board (HANCB) offers the AACRN certification.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the AACRN certification, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Hold an active RN license in the U.S. or the equivalent in another country
Completed a minimum of 3 years of experience as an RN in the last 5 years
Completed a minimum of 2,000 hours in HIV/AIDS nursing
Have one of the following:
A master’s degree or higher in nursing
A post-graduate program for advanced practice nursing
The educational requirements for state licensure or certification as an advanced practice nurse
Completion Time: Candidates have 6 months to complete required curriculum
Cost:
Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) member: $350
Non-member: $450
Course Format
The AACRN certification includes 37 learning modules with associated quizzes. To complete each module, applicants must answer 4 out of 5 quiz questions correctly and complete the survey. After completing all modules, applicants must take a 100-question self-study assessment and earn a greater than 80% pass rate.
HANCB grants certification after completion of the curriculum within 6 months. The curriculum is based on the National HIV Curriculum, which includes:
Screening and Diagnosis
Basic HIV Primary Care
Antiretroviral Therapy
Co-Occurring Conditions
Prevention of HIV
Key Populations
Certification
Online Application Process
Go to the AACRN application
Enter applicant information
Enter RN license information
Complete the eligibility and background information
Attach a copy of active RN license
Attach a copy of the Supervisor Verification Form signed by a supervisor or colleague
Click “I agree” under the candidate agreement
Click “Submit Form”
To submit payment:
Click “Pay through Paypal now” on the bottom of the application page
Select “Add to Cart” under AACRN Certification on the payment page
Click “PayPal Checkout” if paying with PayPal account or “Check Out” if not using PayPal account
Complete payment information
Paper Application
Print the downloadable application
Enter applicant information
Enter RN license information
Complete the eligibility and background information
Have supervisor sign and date under “Experience Validation”
Sign and date under “Candidate Signature”
Have the supervisor complete the Supervisor Verification Form
Enter credit card information
Return applications by:
Fax: 330-670-0109
Email: [email protected]
Mail: HANCB, 11230 Cleveland Ave. NW #986, Uniontown, OH 44685
Application approval can take 7 to 10 business days. Once approved, applicants receive an email with instructions for taking the required modules. Following completion of the modules, submit the AACRN Pathway Certificate to [email protected].
Renewal
AACRN certification is valid for 4 years. To be eligible for renewal, applicants must:
Complete 90 Continuing Education Points (CEPs)
Submit an application
Pay the renewal fee
Renewal Fees
Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) member: $300
Non-member: $400
Online Renewal Process
Go to the AACRN renewal application
Enter applicant information
Enter RN license information
Complete the eligibility and background information
Complete and attach CEU information
Located on pages 6 through 11 of the recertification application
Click “I agree” under the candidate agreement
Click “Submit Form”
To submit payment:
Click “Pay through Paypal now” on the bottom of the application page
Select “Add to Cart” under AACRN Recertification on the payment page
Click “PayPal Checkout” if paying with PayPal account or “Check Out” if not using PayPal account
Complete payment information
Paper Application
Print the downloadable recertification application
Enter applicant information
Enter RN license information
Complete the eligibility and background information
Sign and date under “Candidate Signature”
Enter credit card information
Complete CEP information
Return applications by:
Fax: 330-670-0109
Email: [email protected]
Mail: HANCB, 11230 Cleveland Ave. NW #986, Uniontown, OH 44685
Continuing Education
Renewal applicants must accrue a minimum of 90 CEPs during the 4-year cycle.
Category 1: HIV/AIDS Nursing Continuing Education (minimum of 45 CEPs)
Category 2: Academic Credit Courses (maximum of 15 CEPs)
Category 3: AIDS Education and Training Center (AETC) Clinical Practicum (maximum of 20 CEPs)
Category 4: Other Continuing Education in Nursing (maximum of 45 CEPs)
Refer to the Recertification Protocol for a full list of accepted CEPs.
Other Resources
HANCB provides a full list of resources including books, journals, reports, and websites about HIV nursing. The following books are available for purchase:
Related Certifications
Frequently asked questions
Is the AACRN certification an exam?
No, AACRN certification used to be earned through an exam in the past, but it’s now earned by completing 37 learning modules and quizzes and taking a 100-question self-study assessment with a greater than 80% pass rate.
What’s the difference between the AACRN and the ACRN?
Both certifications validate the knowledge and skills of registered nurses working with HIV/AIDS patients, but the AACRN certification is an advanced certification with greater education and experience requirements.
How long do I have to complete the learning modules for the AACRN certification?
You have 6 months to complete the learning modules for the AACRN certification.
To recertify the AACRN, can I complete all the CEPs at once, or do I have to spread them over the 4-year cycle?
For the AACRN, you may complete the 90 CEPs all at once if you wish, as long as they’re completed by the time your certification expires.
If I’ve already completed modules on the National HIV Curriculum, can they be counted towards the AACRN certification?
Yes, if the modules completed are from the 2nd edition National HIV Curriculum, the HANCB will count them towards the AACRN.
What organization offers the AACRN?
The HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board (HANCB) offers the AACRN certification.