Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (PPCNP-BC)
Credential Awarded: PPCNP-BC
The ANCC Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner board certification examination is a competency based examination that provides a valid and reliable assessment of the entry-level clinical knowledge and skills of nurse practitioners. This certification aligns with the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification and Education. Once you complete eligibility requirements to take the certification examination and successfully pass the exam, you are awarded the credential: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (PPCNP-BC).
This credential is valid for 5 years. You can continue to use this credential by maintaining your license to practice and meeting the renewal requirements in place at the time of your certification renewal. The Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification accredits this ANCC certification.
ALERT: The ANCC Commission on Certification (COC) decided to retire the examination for the Pediatric Primary Care NP (PPCNP) board certification. The decision to retire this certification was based on the persistently low number of initial test takers and the availability of a primary care PNP certification through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).
As a result of this decision, ANCC will continue to accept PPCNP applications for testing (initial or renewal) through December 31, 2018. Candidates deemed eligible for the ANCC PPCNP board certification examination will be able to test or retest through December 31, 2019.
If you hold an ANCC PPCNP certification, you can continue to maintain and renew the PPCNP-BC certification by fulfilling the published renewal requirements found at https://www.nursingworld.org/certification/renewals/. The renewal requirements were recently updated to focus on continual life-long learning and acquisition of new knowledge and recognize the wide range of roles you may hold during your career.
If you have questions you can contact us at APRNinfo@ana.org or 1.800.284.2378.
Renew
Renew Certification
Renewal Certification Application
You may submit a renewal application up to 1 year prior to your expiration.
STEP 1: Review Requirements, FAQs, and Pricing
See Pricing & Discounts
| Pricing & Discounts | RENEWAL |
| Non-member | $350 |
| American Nurses Association members* pay as low as | $250 |
*Separate membership discounts apply.
- Prices above include $140 non-refundable administrative fee. Additional fees for special services may apply. See application for details.
- Discounts may be claimed for up to 5 business days after ANCC receives your application. Discount claims received after this time will not be honored and refunds will not be issued.
STEP 2: Submit Renewal Application
Required: BEFORE starting a renewal application online, proof of professional development must be entered and stored in your ANCC online account. To record professional development activities go to Track Professional Development with ANCC. Then return to renew online.
RENEW ONLINE TRACK PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
RENEW BY MAIL
If you would like to renew by mail, please send a request to certification@ana.org.
Maintain
Maintain Certification
To maintain certification, complete professional development requirements between the start and end dates of your certification, and provide this information on your renewal application.
CALENDAR Your Renewal Date
Certifications are renewed every 5 years. You may submit a renewal application up to 1 year prior to your expiration. You may be ineligible to practice beyond your expiration date.
CREATE an ANCC Account
Track professional development, mail preferences and purchases in one place. Online applications are also stored in your account. Visit Access My Account
UPDATE Contact Information
If you move, change names or acquire a new phone or email, please update contact details in your account. Or email Customer Care or call 1.800.284.2378.
DISPLAY Your Credentials
Learn common questions and answers about displaying your credentials in the proper order.
Download How to Display Your Credentials.
TRACK PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WITH ANCC
Online renewal is simpler when you store professional development activities in your ANCC account immediately upon completion. At renewal, you can transfer stored information to the renewal application, saving time. Note: To renew online, you must store professional development activities before starting the online renewal application.
- After each activity, gather proof of professional development.
- Click Track Professional Development to the right.
- Enter and save professional development activities.
- From account summary, top right column, under Professional Development find links to enter continuing education (contact hours), academic credits, presentations, publications/research, preceptorship and professional service.
- Log out.
