Certification enhances your career
The HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board (HANCB) and the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) encourage you to pursue certification as an HIV/AIDS Certified LPN/LVN (ACLPN), HIV/AIDS Certified Registered Nurse (ACRN) or Advanced HIV/AIDS Certified Registered Nurse (AACRN).
Certification is an indication of current knowledge, skills and experience in a specialized area of practice to promote optimal health outcomes. Certification can lead to increased personal satisfaction, job satisfaction and patient satisfaction. It can also improve collaboration, as well as patient and organizational outcomes.
Your decision to become certified shows your commitment to continued education and motivation to provide patients with better care. Organizations have an increased need for nurses who are certified in a specific area, which means your certification could lead to new professional opportunities. For example, Magnet® institutions require certified RNs and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recommends AACRNs in HIV care.
The purpose of certification is to promote comprehensive HIV/AIDS nursing care by:
- Encouraging continued personal and professional growth in the practice of HIV/AIDS nursing
- Establishing and measuring the level of knowledge required for certification in HIV/AIDS nursing
- Providing a national standard of requisite knowledge for certification; thereby assisting the employer, public and members of health professions in the assessment of the HIV/AIDS nursing practice
- Recognizing formally through certification those individuals who meet the eligibility requirements and standards set by the HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board
ACLPN Eligibility
The following requirements must be met before seeking certification:
- Currently licensed as a registered LPN or LVN in the United States or an international equivalent (a copy of your license must be submitted with your application)
- At least two years of experience in clinical practice, education, management or research related to HIV/AIDS
- Complete and submit an application
- Pay required fee ($125)
ACRN Eligibility
The following requirements must be met before seeking certification:
- Currently licensed as a registered nurse in the United States or an international equivalent (a copy of your license must be submitted with your application)
- At least two years of experience in clinical practice, education, management or research related to HIV/AIDS
- Complete and submit an application
- Pay required fee (ANAC members: $250, Non-ANAC members: $350)
AACRN Eligibility
The following requirements must be met before seeking certification:
- Currently licensed as a registered nurse in the United States or an international equivalent (a copy of your license must be submitted with your application)
- Hold a master’s degree or higher in nursing, successful completion of a post-graduate program specific to advanced practice nursing, or meet educational requirements for certifications or state licensure as an advanced practice nurse or an international equivalent, preferably with a focus in HIV/AIDS nursing (a copy of your transcript, certification or licensure must be submitted with your application)
- A minimum of three years of experience as a registered nurse within the five years prior to applying
- A minimum of 2,000 hours of HIV/AIDS nursing (nursing administration, clinical practice, education or research) within the five years prior to applying, validated by colleague or nursing supervisor
- Complete and submit an application
- Pay required fee (ANAC members: $350, Non-ANAC members: $450)
Join ANAC for $99 and become eligible for the ANAC member rate.
