The ACRN requirements recommend two years of HIV nursing experience, is this a recommendation or requirement?
It is a requirement. This level of experience is necessary to successfully complete the modules.
I am a nurse practitioner and I have been encouraged to become certified, why should I choose this certification over American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM)?
The ACRN is a nursing certification for all nurses, including nurse practitioners. AAHIVM is an open book exam that allows different disciplines (doctors, physician assistants, pharmacists, etc.) to take the same exam.
Is ACRN certification recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)?
Your ACRN certification is different from a credential you receive from the ANCC. They oversee certification for generalized practice and large common specialty practices (critical care, pediatrics, geriatrics, family and adult nurse practitioners, etc.) while we oversee certification for the HIV specialty.
However, ANCC is a large provider of continuing education units (CEPs) and we do use their CEPs for recertification.
How do you obtain CEPs for recertification? Is it a yearly requirement?
CEs for recertification are accumulated during the four years the certification is valid. For example, you receive your certificate in 2021 and you will recertify in 2025. It does not matter how long it takes you to meet your continuing education requirements as long as the total required amount is met at the end of those four years. CE in other medical areas and CME are acceptable, but in limited amounts. Click here for more information on recertification.
How long do I have to complete the modules?
The deadline for completion is six (6) months after you receive the emailed invitation to join the certification learning group. HANCB recommends completing at least one (1) module per week.
What if I have already completed modules on the National HIV Curriculum? Can they be included for certification?
Only completed modules taken from the 3rd edition of the National HIV Curriculum will be counted towards certification. The 3rd edition of the Curriculum was launched on September 1st, 2023. Modules completed before this date are not eligible for certification purposes.
Why did the process change from an exam to online modules?
In November 2019, HANCB was challenged to re-envision the certification process for adult learners. It became clear that months of studying for a 250 question examination was not how adult learners learn and maintain that level of knowledge. After much research, the HANCB board ultimately decided that crafting a program that consisted of “chapter modules” with quizzes attached to the modules – and earning CE at the same time, was probably the preferred method that made the most sense for our learners. It became clear to the HANCB board that the National HIV Curriculum designed by the University of Washington was exactly the kind of process needed to confer certification for our applicants. Numerous discussions were held in 2020 and early 2021 to formalize this new process of certification with the National HIV Curriculum. If you certify through the curriculum, we hope that you will provide honest feedback about this process versus the previous format of closed book examination only.
