1. Establishing and measuring the level of knowledge required for certification in HIV/AIDS nursing.
    
2. Providing a national standard of requisite knowledge for certification; thereby assisting the employer, public, and members of the health professions in the assessment of the HIV/AIDS nursing practice.
    
3. Recognizing formally through certification those individuals who meet the eligibility requirements and standards set by the HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board.

GREAT NEWS!!!

The HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board (HANCB) has an AIDS Certified Registered Nurse (ACRN) Practice Exam that is now available online at https://secure.ar51.net/anacnet/hancb/pretest.html AND we have extended the registration deadline for the Spring ACRN exam period to February 28th , 2008.

We have heard from many people that one of the main reasons that they have not yet become certified is uncertainty about what the exam covers and a perceived lack of self- confidence. We think that we may have come up with a solution. The HANCB has made available over 60 questions that were used on previous examinations for use as a practice test. (These questions will no longer appear on any current or future ACRN exams.) By taking the practice exam, you will be able to get a feel for what the questions look and feel like, as well as be able to determine if there are any areas that you may need to brush up on. Once your payment has been made and processed, you will be emailed the link and a username and password. At your convenience, you will log into the webpage and take the practice exam. Once you complete the test, you will be shown the answers you provided and the correct answer if necessary.

To access the practice exam, go to https://secure.ar51.net/anacnet/hancb/pretest.html

The cost of the exam is $50.00 for a one-time usage. For groups of 8 or more, who register at the same time, the fee is $35.00 per person. If you are interested in the group rate, click HERE to download the group rate form, or contact Jennifer at Jennifer@anacnet.org.

When you take the practice test, please feel free to send us feedback so that we can make this better and better as time goes on.

AACRN Certification

For more information on taking the Advanced AIDS Certified Registered Nurse Exam, please go to http://www.hancb.org/about_the_advanced_aids_certification.htm

Eligibility Requirements The following requirements must be met by the application deadline:

1. Currently licensed as a registered nurse in the United States or the international equivalent.  At the time of application, the RN license must be in good standing and not suspended, revoked or under review by any state or district Board of Nursing.
2. At least two years of experience in clinical practice, education, management, or research related to HIV/AIDS nursing is recommended.
3. Completion and filing of an application for the certification examination in HIV/AIDS nursing.
4. Payment of required fee.

Administration The certification program is sponsored by the HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board. The certification examination in HIV/AIDS nursing is administered by the Professional Testing Corporation (PTC), 1350 Broadway-17th Floor, New York, New York 10018, (212) 356-0660, www.ptcny.com. Questions concerning the examination should be referred to PTC.  

Attainment of Certification and Recertification Eligible candidates who pass the certification examination in HIV/AIDS nursing are eligible to use the registered designation ACRN after their names and will a receive certificate from the HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board. A registry of nurses certified in HIV/AIDS nursing will be maintained by the HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board and may be reported in its or ANAC's publications. Certification in HIV/AIDS nursing is recognized for a period of four years at which time the candidate must retake and pass the current certification examination in HIV/AIDS nursing, or recertify by completion of 70 continuing education (CE) credits. The process for recertification by CEs is:

• A total of 70 continuing education (CE) credits is required for recertification every four years.
• At least 50% of the CEs must be in HIV/AIDS nursing care. The remaining 50% can be earned in allied health (medicine, pharmacy, social work) continuing education directly related to HIV/AIDS, academic cousework related to HIV/AIDS nursing, completion of practicums at an AIDS Education and Training center, other nursing continuing education programs, and/or professional activities.  ACRNs have the option of recertifying with one hundred percent (100%) HIV/AIDS nursing CEs.
• The CE may include up to 35 continuing medical/allied health continuing education credits that are directly related to the practice of HIV/AIDS nursing.
• The CNEs must be approved by one of the following nursing organizations:
  • Any state Board of Nursing, American Nurses Credentialing Center, Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners or the international equivalent of the above organizations.
• All CMEs must be accredited by an approved provider such as the American Medical Association, Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, or other approved providers
• CEs via home study will be accepted as long as they are certified by the above organization(s). The ACRN may acquire all (100%) credit for recertification via the home study method.
• CE credits earned after the certification exam was taken are applicable towards the subsequent recertification.
• Late applications will be accepted within a 30-day grace period with an additional fee of $50.

1. Falsification of an application for certification or recertification.
2. Misrepresentation of certification status.
3. Suspension or revocation of nursing license by a State Board of Nursing.

DEADLINES: if these deadlines are not up-to-date, please visit http://www.ptcny.com/clients/HANCB/ for updated information.

Fees
Application fee for the certification examination in HIV/AIDS nursing:

All initial certification payments to take the ACRN (or AACRN) should be made payable to the Professional Testing Corporation (recertification payments go to the HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board).
Note: Pay the special testing center fee only if a special testing center is being requested. See above for special testing center instructions.

Refunds
There will be no refund of fees. Fees will not be transferred from one testing period to another.  

Schedule for Examination
With the implementation of computerized testing, approved candidates will indicate with their application the site(s) of preference for taking the exam.  Candidates are encouraged to arrive at the testing center of his/her choice at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time of the examination.  Latecomers may be admitted to the examination at the discretion of the examiner but will not be permitted to write beyond the time scheduled for completion of the examination.

Admission to Testing
The Professional Testing Corporation will notify candidates approximately three weeks before the testing date of final assignments for testing centers by means of an admission notice showing exact location/address to which candidates should report.

This admission notice plus some other form of positive personal identification (preferably photo I.D.) must be presented in order to gain admission to the testing site. A candidate not receiving an admission notice at least one week before the test date should contact the Professional Testing Corporation by telephone at (212) 356-0660.   Changes in assignments to testing centers cannot be made later than four weeks before the examination date.

Rules for the Examination

1.   Candidates must bring several sharpened number 2 pencils with erasers with them to the testing center.

2.   No signaling devices, including cellular phones, pagers, and alarms, may be operative during the examination.

3.   No books or other reference materials may be taken into the examination room.

4.   No test materials, documents, or memoranda of any sort are to be taken from the examination room.

5.   No questions concerning content of the examination may be asked during the testing period. The candidate should listen carefully to the instructions given by the examiner and should read carefully directions in the test booklet.

Report of Results
Candidates will be notified within six weeks whether they have passed or failed the examination. Scores on the major areas of the examination and on the total examination will be reported. Successful candidates will also receive certificates from the HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board. Upon written request of a candidate, scores will be manually verified. Failure of the examination is not a circumstance for appeal.

Reexamination
The certification examination in HIV/AIDS nursing may be taken as often as desired upon filing of a new application and fee. There is no limit to the number of times the examination may be repeated.

Confidentiality

1.   Test scores will be released in writing only to the individual candidate.

2.   Any questions concerning test results should be referred to the Professional Testing Corporation.

Content of Examination

1.       The certification examination in HIV/AIDS nursing is a written examination composed of a maximum of 250 multiple choice, objective questions with a total testing time of four (4) hours.

2.       The content for the examination is described in the content outline below.

3.       The questions for the examination are obtained from individuals with expertise in HIV/AIDS nursing and are reviewed for construction, accuracy, and appropriateness by the HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board.

4.       The HIV/AIDS Certification Board, with the advice and assistance of the Professional Testing Corporation, prepares the examination.

5.       The certification examination in HIV/AIDS nursing will be weighted in approximately the following manner:

I.                     Epidemiology and Prevention:  10%
II.                   Pathophysiology:  15%
III.                  Clinical Manifestations and Management:  35%
IV.                Psychosocial Issues:  10%
V.                  Specific Populations:  20%
VI.                Ethical and Legal Issues:  5%
VII.               Professional and Institutional Issues:  5%