Renewing your ANCC Nurse Practitioner NP Certification

ANCC NP Renewal Requirements – Finish Efficiently

You must renew your ANCC nurse practitioner (NP) board certification every five years. The process isn’t necessarily difficult, but it can be time consuming. Maintaining your certification throughout the five-year process by tracking your progress is key. If you wait until your renewal and must input between 75 and 150 hours of continuing education credit into the ANCC’s website, it will take a great deal of time. 

I’ve been an ANCC certified NP since 2012, so I’m in my third renewal cycle. I’ve found that by using a filing system to keep track of mandatory continuing education hours in addition to chosen renewal requirement categories makes the renewal more seamless.

To avoid retesting, an NP must renew their certification before it lapses and demonstrate proof of completion of the mandatory 75 continuing education hours. Twenty-five of the mandatory hours must be in pharmacology.

Renewing your American Nurses Credentialing Center Nurse Practitioner NP Certification – Using a filing system

You’ll need to input your completed hours into the ANCC’s website. I have found that immediately printing your certificate, putting it into a file folder labeled for the window of your renewal cycle, then inputting these hours to the ANCC’s site, and tracking your total on the outside of the file folder is very helpful in tracking the mandatory hours you’ve completed.

Complete your 25 hours of required pharmacology here: 25 Hours Pharmacology All-Inclusive CE Package

According to the ANCC, if you’re renewing a current, not lapsed license, the steps are as follows:

ANCC Certification renewal eligibility when your certification credential is CURRENT. All requirements must be met within the current 5-year certification period. 

  • Hold a current, active RN license in a state or territory of the United States or the professional legally recognized equivalent in another country. 
  • For National Healthcare Disaster certificants, hold the same license, registration, certificate, or degree used for initial test eligibility. 
  • Hold a current ANCC board certification. 
  • Complete the Mandatory 75 continuing education hours. All certificants renewing a CNS or NP certification are required to complete 25 hours of pharmacology as a portion of the mandatory 75 CH. 
  • Complete at least one (1) of the eight certification renewal categories in its entirety. (See pages 7-8 for additional information regarding the renewal categories.) 
  • Pay the renewal fee. 

If you do lapse without renewing on time, the ANCC has a policy for reactivation. You can read about it in their policy: Certification Renewal Requirements

The Eight ANCC Certification Renewal Categories

  1. Continuing Education Hours – 75 hours in the certification specialty. This category can be chosen in addition to the Mandatory 75 Continuing Education Hours. 
  2. Academic Credits – Five semester credits or six quarter credits of academic courses in your certification specialty. 
  3. Presentations – One or more presentations totaling five (5) clock hours in your certification specialty. 
  4. Evidence-Based Practice (EBP), Quality Improvement Project (QI), Publication, or Research.
  5. Preceptor Hours – A minimum of 120 hours as a preceptor for students in an academic program related to your specialty. 
  6. Professional Service – Two or more consecutive years of volunteer service during your certification period with an international, national, state, or local healthcare-related organization; accepted volunteer activities include serving on boards of directors, committees, editorial boards, review boards, task forces, and medical missions. 
  7. Practice Hours – A minimum of 1,000 practice hours in your certification specialty, completed within five years preceding the date on your renewal application submission. Practice hours are not required to renew your certification. 
  8. Test or Portfolio – Sit for and pass the current test. 

Continuing Education Hours for ANCC Board Certification Renewal

Some important highlights regarding continuing education requirements: 

  • There are 75 mandatory continuing education hours, of which 25 must be in pharmacology. 
  • You can choose one of your certification renewal categories as an additional 75 continuing education hours for a total of 150 continuing education hours. 
  • For the mandatory hours, at least 60 of the 75 must be formally approved hours, i.e., hours from an accredited provider or approver of nursing education, for example, an ANCC approved provider. 
  • The hours can also be approved through Joint Accreditation or AMA, continuing medical education (CME) hours. 
  • You can claim credit for a specific course just once. Even if you take a course multiple times in the five-year renewal window, you can only claim credit once. 

For more information on renewing your ANCC license, visit the Certification Renewal Requirements.

Read about using ANCC renewal CE toward your Florida Autonomous Practice Application Here

Washington Nurses Now Require 2 hrs of CE on Health Equity

Washington Nurses Now Require 2 Hrs of CE on Health Equity – Stay Compliant

Washington Nurses Now Require 2 hrs of CE on Health Equity – The Washington Board of Nursing has introduced a new health equity continuing education (CE) requirement for all registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs). As of December 22, 2023, all Washington nurses must complete 2 hours of health equity CE to maintain their license.

This change emphasizes health equity in patient care, equipping nurses with the knowledge and skills to address disparities in healthcare outcomes across diverse populations.

Get Your 2-Hour Health Equity CE with Our ANCC-Accredited Course

Renew Now CE offers an ANCC-accredited 2-hour Health Equity CE course that meets the Washington Board of Nursing requirements. Our course is designed for RNs and LPNs and provides practical, evidence-based strategies to help nurses integrate health equity principles into their daily practice.

Why Choose Our Course?

  • Washington Board of Nursing-approved content
  • ANCC accredited
  • Flexible, self-paced online learning
  • Instant certificate upon completion

Completing this course ensures you stay compliant with Washington’s CE requirements while gaining valuable skills to improve patient care.

Who Needs to Complete the Health Equity CE?

Currently Licensed RNs & LPNs:

  • Must complete 2 hours of health equity CE by their 2026 renewal date.
  • After 2026, nurses must complete 2 hours of health equity CE during every renewal cycle.

Newly Licensed Nurses:

  • Must complete 2 hours of health equity CE by their second renewal date.
  • After the second renewal, nurses must complete 2 hours of health equity CE every renewal cycle.

Why Is Health Equity CE Important?

Health equity education is designed to help nurses:

  • Recognize and address healthcare disparities based on factors like race, socioeconomic status, and geographic location.
  • Improve patient communication and cultural competency to provide more inclusive care.
  • Enhance decision-making and advocacy skills to ensure all patients receive high-quality healthcare.

By completing the required 2-hour health equity CE course, Washington nurses will be better prepared to deliver fair, effective, and equitable patient care.

Stay Compliant – Enroll in our Approved Health Equity CE Course

Washington nurses now require 2 hrs of CE on health equity—don’t wait until the deadline approaches. Enroll in our ANCC-accredited course to meet Washington Board of Nursing requirements and keep your license active.

For more details, read the official Washington Board of Nursing announcement on health equity CE requirements here.

By staying informed and completing your CE on time, you will continue providing high-quality, equitable care to all patients.

Renew Your Florida Nursing License with Just One 2-Hour CE Class

Renew Your Florida Nursing License with Just One 2-Hour CE Class | Affordable and Easy

Renew Your Florida Nursing License with Just One 2-Hour CE Class! Are you a certified nurse looking to streamline your renewal process? Great news! The Florida Board of Nursing now allows certified nurses to renew their licenses by taking just one class every two years. Discover how you can save time and stay compliant with our easy, affordable CE courses.

What is a Certified Nurse?

The Florida Board of Nursing recognizes certified nurses who hold accreditation from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) or the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC). These nurses qualify for an exemption from general CE requirements, with a few exceptions.

Important CE Requirements You Must Know

Even if you’re a certified nurse, the exemption does not apply to these mandatory courses:

  • 2-Hour Human Trafficking CE Course: Required for both RNs and NPs.
  • 3-Hour Safe and Effective Prescription of Controlled Substances Course: Required for NPs only.

You must complete and report these courses to the Florida Department of Health’s tracking system powered by CE Broker. Renew Now CE simplifies this process by automatically reporting your completed courses for seamless submission.

Affordable and Convenient CE Courses

  • Human Trafficking Course: Complete this 2-hour requirement for just $12.

  • Safe and Effective Prescription of Controlled Substances Course: Fulfill this 3-hour requirement for only $14.

Not certified? No worries! Our Complete Package helps you meet all your CE requirements quickly and affordably.

Steps to Claim Your Exemption in CE Broker

Certified nurses must elect the exemption in CE Broker to reduce their required biannual continuing education. Save this blog post for step-by-step instructions on applying the exemption and ensure you don’t miss out on this opportunity to save time and effort.

  1. Log in to your CE Broker account.
  2. Select the certification exemption option.
  3. Confirm your exemption status during the renewal process.

Reminder: This exemption must be re-applied every two years during license renewal.

Why Choose Renew Now CE?

At Renew Now CE, we are committed to helping you meet Florida Board of Nursing requirements with ease. As a Florida Board of Nursing and American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certified provider, we deliver affordable, high-quality courses tailored to meet your needs.

  • Approved by the Florida Board of Nursing.
  • Nationally recognized by ANCC.
  • User-friendly platform with instant reporting to CE Broker.

Renew your Florida nursing license with just one 2-hour CE class and save time and money!

For more information, visit the Florida Board of Nursing’s Renewal Page.

Florida Nurse Practitioner – APRN

Florida Nurse Practitioner – APRN: Major CE Requirements Update

Great news for Florida Nurse Practitioners (APRN)! As of October 1, 2018, Florida certified nurses are exempt from most continuing education courses. Instead of completing 27 hours of CE, APRNs now only need 5 hours to meet renewal requirements. This reduction is part of the Certified Renewal Exemption policy, aligning Florida with national standards for APRN licensing and titles.

Florida ARNP Becomes APRN: What You Need to Know

On October 1, 2018, Florida officially changed the title “Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP)” to “Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).” This update was signed into law under House Bill 1337 by Governor Scott. The shift brings Florida closer to the national standard for APRN title usage, licensure, and recognition of all four APRN roles.

Why Was This Change Important?

  1. Title Consistency: Updating the title to “Advanced Practice Registered Nurse” reflects a Florida Nurse Practitioner – APRN’s education, training, and credentials.
  2. National Alignment: HB1337 ensures that Florida APRNs meet modernized national standards, clarifying roles and licensure across all four APRN types:
    • CNS (Clinical Nurse Specialist)
    • CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife)
    • CNP (Certified Nurse Practitioner)
    • CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist)
  3. Patient Transparency: Proper use of the APRN title enhances transparency for patients, allowing them to understand their provider’s qualifications.

Key Updates for Florida APRN Licenses

  • The Florida Board of Nursing began issuing updated licenses with the APRN title on October 8, 2018.
  • Current APRNs can continue practicing under their existing license while awaiting the updated one.
  • Licenses are designated to reflect APRN roles (e.g., CNS, CNM, etc.), and all RN and APRN license numbers remain the same.

Example License Numbers:

  • RN: 1234567
  • APRN: 1234567

Should You Keep Your RN License?

If you are a Florida Nurse Practitioner – APRN, you have the option to retain your RN license. Here’s why you might consider keeping it:

  1. Multistate Compact Eligibility: Keeping your RN license allows practice in other compact states.
  2. Educational Flexibility: Nurse educators in online programs may need an active RN license.
  3. Fallback Option: If disciplinary action affects your APRN status, an active RN license provides an alternative to continue practicing.

Note: Fees for RN and APRN licenses remain the same. However, if you choose the APRN-only license, the fee will be reduced.

Florida Nurse Practitioner – APRN CE Requirements Simplified

Under the Certified Renewal Exemption, APRNs now require only 5 hours of CE for license renewal, significantly reduced from the previous 27 hours. This streamlined process ensures compliance with updated Florida regulations while minimizing time spent on continuing education.

Stay Compliant with Renew Now CE

At Renew Now CE, we support Florida Nurse Practitioners – APRNs who wish to maintain active licenses. Whether you need help keeping your RN license active or meeting your Florida Autonomous Practice CE requirements, we’re here to assist you. Read more about how certified nurses are now exempt from most continuing education courses (Certified Renewal Exemption).

Renew Now CE will be happy to work with Advanced Practice Providers who want to keep their RN license active.  Contact us at hello@renewnowce.com for personalized support.

Read more about the Florida Autonomous Practice CE requirements here.