ACNPC-AG (Adult-Gero) - Acute Care NP
- Cost $265-$375
- Renews every 5 years
COURSE FORMAT
About
The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (ACNPC-AG) is an entry-level certification from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) for graduate-level acute care nurse practitioners (ACNPs). The accreditation allows ACNPs to provide continuous advanced nursing care to acutely ill adult-gerontology patients experiencing episodic or terminal illness or exacerbation of a chronic illness.
Course Format
Exam Format
The ACNPC-AG exam is a 3.5-hour computer-based test with 175 multiple-choice questions. The exam consists of 150 scored questions, and the remaining 25 gather statistical data. Overall, 80% of items test clinical judgment relating to the nursing care of the adult-gerontology patient and 20% relate to non-clinical judgment knowledge across the life span.
The ACNPC-AG test plan includes the following domains:
Clinical Judgment (80%)
Cardiovascular (5%)
Respiratory (11%)
Endocrine (5%)
Hematology, immunology, and oncology (6%)
Gastrointestinal (3%)
Renal and genitourinary (5%)
Integumentary (1%)
Musculoskeletal (3%)
Neurology (8%)
Psychosocial, behavioral, and cognitive health (3%)
Factors affecting health statuses, such as risk assessment, prevention and wellness (5%)
Multisystem (14%)
Professional Caring and Ethical Practice (20%)
Advocacy, caring practice, response to diversity, and facilitation of learning
Advocacy and moral agency (3%)
Caring practices (3%)
Response to diversity (3%)
Facilitation of learning (1%)
Collaboration, systems thinking, and clinical inquiry
Collaboration (3%)
Systems thinking (3%)
Clinical inquiry (3%)
Candidates are also tested on validated competencies, skills and procedures appropriate for APRNs.
Completion Time: Candidates have 3.5 hours to complete the ACNPC-AG exam
Cost: $265 for AACN members / $375 for non-members
Testing Options
PSI Testing Centers administer on-site testing. Candidates may also opt for Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) to take the exam on their home computer or another computer, free from distractions.
Rescheduling, Cancellations, and Extensions
A candidate may reschedule or cancel the exam up to 48 hours before the scheduled exam.
Log into the AACN customer dashboard
Click Certification to reschedule the exam
Click “My Certifications” and “Manage Appointment”
Receive a rescheduling confirmation email with the new date and time
Refunds aren’t given for missed appointments
$100 applies when requesting an exam extension
Before the Exam
Report to the PSI Testing Center at scheduled time
Candidates aren’t admitted if more than 15 minutes late
Complete guided check-in process with proctor
Show a current government-issued ID with a photograph and signature
Acceptable forms of identification include driver’s license, state identification, international travel passport or a U.S. Visa
Name must match the AACN record
No temporary or military identifications accepted
Leave forbidden reference materials and personal items in a secured vehicle
Follow proctor to assigned computer testing carrell
Enter social security number or AACN customer number
Follow on-screen instructions for logging in
Take a photograph, displayed on-screen throughout testing
Taking the Exam
Take the practice exam to get familiar with testing software
Time to take practice exam doesn’t count toward actual timed exam
Display a timer on-screen by clicking the TIME button on the screen's lower right-hand corner
Exam automatically ends when candidates reach the time limit
Answer questions that display one at a time
Question number appears on lower right-hand corner of screen
Click the appropriate answer choice located in the lower-left section of the screen
Click the forward arrow in the lower right corner to move to the next question
Click on back arrow to return to previous question
Leave a question unanswered and return to it later by bookmarking the question
Click on the double arrows to advance through all unanswered questions
Reaching the end of the exam triggers notification of unanswered questions
Return to the unanswered questions if time permits
Confirm the end of the exam
During the Exam
Candidates may not ask questions about the content
Testing center supplies a digital notepad to use as scratch paper
All computer screens, questions and printed materials are the property of AACN Certification Corporation and PSI and may not be copied
Breaks are considered part of the exam time and not compensated
Leaving the testing area unauthorized voids the exam
No smoking, eating or drinking during the exam
Before the Exam
Log in to the AACN customer dashboard by clicking “Take Exam” or “Launch Exam”
Perform the guided check-in process with a proctor, around 60 minutes
Present a government-issued ID with a photograph and signature.
Acceptable forms of identification include a driver’s license, state identification, international travel passport, or a U.S. Visa
Name must match AACN records
No temporary or military identifications accepted
Submit a captured photo of self and ID, and a scan of the room using webcam
During the Exam
No headphones, electronics, cell phones, tablets, notes or reference materials allowed
No chewing gum, smoking, food or drinks except for clear-bottled water
No talking, whispering or mouthing
Ensure face remains visible
Computer must rest on a desk or table
Hands must be placed on or above the workspace area
Logging in more than 30 minutes past scheduled exam time prevents access
Candidates may not ask questions about the content
Digital notepad provided as scratch paper
Add comments about a question by clicking the COMMENT button
Breaks are considered part of the exam time and not compensated
Leaving the testing area unauthorized voids the exam
Taking the Exam
Open exam in the secured browser that prevents access to other browsers, screen sharing, recording, copying or pasting and extended/dual monitors
Take the practice exam to get familiar with testing software
Time to take practice exam doesn’t count toward actual timed exam
Display a timer on-screen by clicking the TIME button on the screen's lower right-hand corner
Exam automatically ends when candidates reach the time limit
Answer questions that display one at a time
Question number appears on lower right-hand corner of screen
Click the appropriate answer choice located in the lower-left section of the screen
Click the forward arrow in the lower right corner to move to the next question
Click on back arrow to return to previous question
Leave a question unanswered and return to it later by bookmarking the question
Click on the double arrows to advance through all unanswered questions
Reaching the end of the exam triggers notification of unanswered questions
Return to the unanswered questions if time permits
Confirm the end of the exam
Report technical issues to PSI’s technical support line at 844-267-1017
After the Exam
ACNPC-AG exam results appear on-screen after completion. A detailed report arrives via email within 24 hours. A wall certificate arrives via postal mail approximately 3 to 4 weeks after receiving exam results.
Certification may be verified using the online Certification Verification system the day after the exam. Candidates also may request a letter verifying their certificate.
Candidates may reapply to retest if they fail to report to the exam. If the original application is less than one year old, it may become reactivated by paying a retest fee. They must submit a new application and pay the retest fee If the application is older than one year. Retest fee is $205 for members and $310 for non-members.
Certification
Eligibility
Hold a current, valid, unrestricted and unencumbered RN or APRN license
Notify AACN Certification Corporation within 30 days of nursing license provisions or conditions
Completed a graduation-level advanced practice nursing program accredited by CCNE or ACEN with a concentration in adult-gerontology ACNP that complies with the National Task Force Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs
Completed 500 supervised clinical practice hours concentrating in adult-gerontology CNS during a graduate-level nursing educational program
A portion of practice hours must relate to the wellness of adult-gerontology patients
Submit official and final transcripts of all graduate-level coursework indicating the degree and date conferred
Application Process
Submit an online application or paper application with all required documentation
Online application process immediately but paper applications may take 2 to 4 weeks for processing
Receive a receipt of the application notification email
Wait for a certification specialist to review the application and complete an evaluation
May take 1 to 4 weeks
Receive a confirmation email approving the application and all required documentation with a link to schedule the exam within the 180-day testing window
Determine preferred testing method, either PSI Testing Center or Live Remote Proctoring from a home computer
Schedule the exam at an approved testing center by using the link within the confirmation email
Schedule the exam through the AACN dashboard by clicking the “Schedule Exam” link
Renewal
The ACNPC-AG certification is valid for five years. AACN sends out renewal notifications four months before the scheduled renewal date.
Certificants should access their AACN account by following the below pathway:
Log in to the AACN account with the associated email or AACN customer number
Locate the AACN customer number on the most recent renewal notice
Initial password is candidate’s last name
Change the password after logging in or click “Forgot Password”
Verify and update account information to ensure the correct mailing address to receive the certificate
Verify and update the email address to receive renewal confirmations
Certificants who renew online receive their new ACNPC-AG certificate within 2 to 4 weeks.
Renewal Requirements
Maintain a current, valid, unrestricted and unencumbered RN or APRN license
Notify AACN Certification Corporation within 30 days of nursing license provisions or conditions
Renewal Options
ACNPC-AG certification renewal includes one of three options.
1,000 practice hours and 150 CE credits
1,000 practice hours, 25 pharmacology CE credits and passing the ACNPC-AG exam
150 CE credits and passing the ACNPC-AG exam
Cost
Practice Hours and CE Points: $250 for AACN members and $340 for non-members
Practice Hours, Exam and Pharma CE: $205 for AACN members and $310 for non-members
CE Points and Renewal: $205 for AACN members and $310 for non-members
Continuing Education
Certification renewal requires varying continuing education contact hours based on the route taken to renew.
Other Resources
ACNPC-AG Exam Handbook includes comprehensive information about the application process, exam information and resources to help study for the exam
AACN ACNPC-AG Certification Practice Exam and Questions
30-day Basic Subscription includes 150 multiple-choice question banks
Cost: $25 for AACN members or $30 for non-members
30-day Premium Subscription includes180 multiple-choice question banks and a seven-day free trial for 30 practice questions
Cost: $65 for AACN members or $75 for non-members
2nd Edition ACNPC-AG Certification Practice Q&A Cost: $80.99 for members and $89.99 for non-members
Candidates can purchase textbooks, resources and practice exams through the AACN store
Related Certifications
Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Certification (Wellness Through Acute Care) certification (ACCNS-AG) certification is an entry-level certification from AACN for graduate-level clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) with an RN or APRN license
Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Certification (Wellness through Acute Care) (ACCNS-P) certification is an entry-level certification from AACN for graduate-level clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) with an RN or APRN license
Other related certifications include the GAPNA APRN Gerontological Specialist Certification (GS-C).
Frequently asked questions
Does the ACNPC-AG certification exam have accreditation?
Yes, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies accredits the ACNPC-AG exam.
Do nursing state boards accept the ACNPC-AG exam?
Yes, the Consensus Model-based ACNPC-AG exam complies with the NCSBN Criteria for APRN Certification Exams, so it’s accepted for APRN licensure or designation in all 50 states.
Where can I obtain a copy of the ACNPC-AG test plan?
You should review the ACNPC-AG Exam Handbook for detailed information about the ACNPC-AG test plan.
How many questions are on the ACNPC-AG exam?
The ACNPC-AG exam includes 175 multiple-choice items, but only 150 are scored. The AACN uses the other 25 questions to gather statistical data on item performance for future exams.
Is the ACNPC-AG exam hard?
All professional healthcare certifications can be difficult without appropriate study and preparation. Of the 992 candidates who took the ACNPC-AG exam in 2021, 83.1% passed the first time but 176 failed the exam.
What other certifications does AACN offer besides the ACNPC-AG?
What organization offers the ACNPC-AG?
The American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) offers the ACNPC-AG.