Qualifications

Recertification for Adult, Gerontological, and Family Nurse Practitioners

Nurse practitioners certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program may become recertified every five years by sitting for the appropriate examination or by meeting the clinical practice and continuing education requirements established for recertification. These requirements include a minimum of 1000 hours of clinical practice as a nurse practitioner in the Population Focus, and 75 contact hours of continuing education relevant to the nurse practitioner Population Focus.

Currently, AANPCP does not require a specific number of pharmacy content hours. Most State Boards of Nursing require a minimum number of pharmacy contact hours in order to renew an advanced practice license. Certificants are encouraged to complete pharmacotherapeutic hours in their Population-Focus. Revision of AANPCP's current recertification requirements will occur in 2014 in preparation for implementation of the Consensus Model.

It is the Certificant's responsibility to renew their National Certification before it expires. Nurse practitioners who fail to renew their AANPCP primary care certification may not use the credential NP-C and are responsible for notifying their employer and state board of nursing.

Effective January 1, 2013, nurse practitioners certified by AANPCP may submit their application for Recertification as early as 1 year prior to the expiration date of the current certification. Certificant's must allow at least 8 weeks for processing of an application for recertification and are encouraged to apply online at www.aanpcert.org. A courtesy recertification reminder postcard will be mailed to Certificants' last known mailing address. It is the Certificant's responsibility to update their Online Profile with any changes to their email, address or contact information.