American Board Of Certification For Gastroenterology Nurses

What American Board Of Certification For Gastroenterology Nurses does

American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses (ABCGN) is a Chicago-based nonprofit professional certification organization founded in 1986 that administers the Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse (CGRN) credential, the only gastroenterology nursing certification accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC). ABCGN operates as a small-staff organization (1-10 employees) managed under association management by Smith Bucklin, with an elected Board of Directors composed of CGRN-certified clinicians from major U.S. healthcare systems including Fort Myers Surgery Center, University of Virginia Medical Center, MNGI Digestive Health, and VA Palo Alto Health Care System. As of 2025, ABCGN has cumulatively certified 2,756 nurses with a 55.89% first-time exam pass rate and a 52% recertification renewal rate.

ABCGN's technology stack runs on three core vendor partnerships: the Certemy cloud platform handles all certification and recertification applications, document storage, education tracking, and the public credential verification registry; Prometric delivers the CGRN exam at U.S. and Canadian test centers and via the ProProctor remote proctoring system; and BadgeCert issues digital badges for social sharing on LinkedIn and other platforms. Product offerings extend beyond the core certification exam to include a 75-question CGRN Practice Exam, two recertification pathways (contact hours or re-exam), a Pre-Review Program, the newly launched CGRN-Retired credential (2024), and a GI-Specific Hours Approval program for educational providers.

Revenue is generated primarily through certification exam fees ($430 SGNA member / $520 non-member / $415 employer rate), recertification fees ($350-$520 depending on pathway and membership), GI-Specific Hours Approval fees for CE providers ($55-$1,100), targeted email blast sponsorships to the 2,700+ CGRN community ($75-$375), and merchandise sales. ABCGN markets through SGNA regional societies, CSGNA for Canadian expansion (since February 2022), employer partnerships, and a National Certification Corporation PSA campaign generating 200+ million impressions.

Name

American Board Of Certification For Gastroenterology Nurses

Legal name

American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses, Inc.

Website

https://abcgn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ABCGN is a Chicago-based nonprofit founded in 1986 that administers the CGRN credential, the only ABSNC-accredited gastroenterology nursing certification in the U.S. and Canada, serving approximately 2,756 certified nurses through exam delivery, recertification, and CE approval programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nursing Certification Services

akta.pro primary industry

Healthcare & Clinical Professional Certifications (EDAAANAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Healthcare Clinical Professions (CME/CE for Nurses, Allied Health, Pharmacy) (EDAAALAC), Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF), Credentialing, Certification Prep & Exam Training (BPACANAJ)

Keywords

• Nursing certification services
• Gastroenterology credentialing
• Professional recertification programs
• Specialty nursing accreditation
• Contact hours approval

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Certification Exam Fees: Primary revenue from CGRN certification examination fees. Candidates pay $430-$520 for initial certification exam depending on SGNA membership status. Employer rate available at $415 per candidate for groups of 3 or more.
2. Recertification Fees: Recertification by computer-based exam costs $430 (SGNA member) or $520 (Non-member). Recertification by contact hours costs $350 (SGNA member) or $435 (Non-member). Retired credential renewal every five years.
3. GI-Specific Hours Approval: ABCGN approves continuing education programs for GI-specific contact hours. Fees range from $55-$220 depending on contact hours and SGNA membership status. Recurring programs have separate fee structures.
4. Partnership Eblast Program: ABCGN offers targeted email blast programs to reach over 2,700 CGRNs. Pricing: $75-$275 per email depending on SGNA membership, with reminder options at additional cost.
5. Merchandise Sales: Online store sells CGRN branded merchandise including certificates ($25), certification pins ($15), badge reels ($5), and water bottles ($20).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ABCGN awards and maintains the Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse (CGRN) credential, the only ABSNC-accredited gastroenterology nursing certification. It administers the CGRN certification examination at Prometric test centers and via remote proctoring, and sustains a recurring revenue stream through biennial/five-year recertification by exam or by 75 contact hours (60 GI-specific). It also approves GI-specific continuing education programs for educational providers and offers a public registry for credential verification.

Product overview

ABCGN offers a certification ecosystem centered on the CGRN (Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse) credential. The primary offering is the CGRN certification exam, which can be maintained through two recertification pathways: recertification by contact hours (requiring 75 hours of continuing education) or recertification by exam. Supporting products include the CGRN Practice Exam for test preparation, the CGRN Digital Badge for credential sharing, the CGRN-Retired Credential for retired nurses, and the Pre-Review Program for recertification guidance. Additional services include the GI-Specific Hours Approval program for organizations seeking to pre-certify educational content, an online CGRN Registry for credential verification, an Employer Purchase Program for group exam registration at discounted rates, and merchandise including certificates and pins.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CGRN Certification (Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse) The primary gastroenterology nursing certification credential awarded by ABCGN, validating the highest standards of patient care for gastroenterology and gastroenterology endoscopy registered nurses. Administered via Prometric test centers or remote proctoring. The only ABSNC-accredited gastroenterology nursing certification.
• CGRN Practice Exam A 75-question practice examination mapped to the current CGRN exam test blueprint. Delivered on the same test driver as the actual CGRN exam, providing candidates with familiar technology experience. Candidates receive 120 minutes to answer plus 15 minutes for review. Practice exam ID valid for 6 months.
• CGRN Digital Badge A certified digital badge that allows newly certified CGRNs to showcase their accomplishment on LinkedIn profiles, email signatures, digital resumes, corporate profiles, websites, and social media feeds. Managed through the BadgeCert platform.
• CGRN-Retired Credential A retired designation credential recognizing retired certified gastroenterology registered nurses for years of service in caring for gastroenterology patients. Renewed every five years. Applicants must have been certified and working in the field for a five-year period and must be retiring from active practice.
• Recertification by Exam A recertification pathway allowing currently certified CGRNs to retake the current certification examination at designated testing windows. Candidates must meet the same eligibility requirements and deadlines as initial certification candidates. Cost is $430 (SGNA member) or $520 (non-member).
• Recertification by Contact Hours A recertification pathway requiring 75 total contact hours (60 GI-specific, including 30 Category 1 live nursing seminars) over a five-year certification period. Administered through the Certemy platform with online application submission. Cost is $350 (SGNA member) or $435 (non-member).
• Pre-Review Program A $50 pre-review service where experienced members of the ABCGN Recertification Audit Committee review candidate contact hours and provide feedback before formal submission. Helps candidates ensure they have sufficient and properly categorized hours.
• GI-Specific Hours Approval Program for organizations hosting educational seminars or workshops to pre-approve GI-specific contact hours. Approval is valid for two years and programs can be repeated without limit. Provides a marketing tool to attract CGRNs and simplifies recertification documentation for attendees. Fees range from $55 to $1,100 depending on contact hours and SGNA membership status.
• Employer Purchase Program Program allowing healthcare employers to pay for CGRN exam fees for 3 or more nurses at a discounted rate of $415 per candidate. Payments are valid only for the exam window purchased and non-refundable after the application window closes.
• CGRN Public Registry (Credential Verification) Online credential verification tool allowing employers and the public to verify CGRN certification status of individual nurses. Accessible at abcgn.certemy.com/public-registry.

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Canadian Society of Gastroenterology Nurses & Associates (CSGNA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 February 2022Partnership expands CGRN exam eligibility to Canadian registered nurses who have achieved RN licensure through NCLEX. CSGNA promotes CGRN certification among its members as a route to professional excellence and enhanced credibility.
• CertemycoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2020Certemy is ABCGN's cloud-based certification management platform. Provides comprehensive candidate/certificant dashboard, automated task reminders, centralized document storage, education tracking, digital wallets, public registry, and electronic certificates. Platform handles all certification and recertification applications.
• Professional Certification CoalitionsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2018ABCGN is a member of the Professional Certification Coalition, which addresses state legislation threatening private certification organizations. Coalition has over 100 member organizations working to protect certification activities and recognition.
• PrometriccoreTechnology or IntegrationPrometric is ABCGN's testing partner for exam development, delivery, and scoring. Administers CGRN exams at test centers in US and Canada and offers remote proctoring via ProProctor platform.
• BadgeCertsupportingTechnology or IntegrationBadgeCert provides digital badge platform enabling CGRN certificants to accept, manage, and share their certified digital badges across LinkedIn, email signatures, digital resumes, and social media.
• Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSGNA is ABCGN's sister organization that provides review courses, educational materials, and supports certification. ABCGN offers GI-specific hours approval for SGNA regional programs at discounted rates. SGNA regional societies actively promote CGRN certification.
• National Certification Corporation (NCC)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerABCGN collaborates with NCC on the 'Certified Nurses Make a Difference' public service campaign. This national PSA highlights the continuum of care provided by certified nurses across various healthcare specialties including gastroenterology.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission: Provides CNN, CDN, and CCHT certifications for nephrology and dialysis nurses. Direct peer as a single-specialty nursing certification body with comparable fee structures, recertification requirements, and ABSNC-aligned accreditation.
• National Certification Corporation: Issues certifications across women's health, neonatal, and obstetric nursing specialties via computer-based testing. Comparable as a multi-specialty nursing certification body using Prometric and similar accreditation pathways; also an active partner of ABCGN in the NCC PSA campaign.
• HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board: Administers ACRN and AACRN certifications for nurses in HIV/AIDS care. Comparable single-specialty nursing certification body with similar small-team nonprofit operating model and ABSNC-aligned accreditation.
• Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board: Certifies medical-surgical RNs (CMSRN) and offers recertification by contact hours or exam. Direct peer in specialty nursing credentialing with a parallel product portfolio (initial exam, recertification pathways, practice assessments).
• Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation: Specialty nursing certification body offering the OCN, CPHON, CBCN, and other oncology nursing credentials. Directly comparable as a nonprofit specialty nursing certification organization with a similar revenue model of exam fees and recertification, serving a parallel niche of clinical nurses.
• Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing: Certifies emergency nurses (CEN, CFRN, CPEN, TCRN) and operates an analogous credentialing model with ABSNC-accredited credentials, recertification pathways, and partnership with a major professional society (ENA). Closely comparable structure and revenue mechanics.
• Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board: Provides ONC and OCNS certifications for orthopaedic nurses. Direct peer in single-specialty nursing certification with analogous exam administration, recertification, and society partnership dynamics.
• Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board: Offers CWOCN, CWCN, COCN, and CCCN credentials for wound/ostomy/continence nurses. Closely comparable specialty nursing certification organization with similar governance, accreditation, and fee-based revenue model.

Others

• Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates: ABCGN's 'sister organization' — the primary professional membership society for GI nurses with 20,000+ members. Closely related as a non-credentialing partner that drives the pipeline of CGRN candidates and offers approved CE programs that feed ABCGN's GI Hours Approval revenue.

Broad incumbents

• American Nurses Credentialing Center: The largest U.S. nursing credentialing body, offering numerous specialty and advanced practice certifications across many nursing domains. Broader incumbent that overlaps with ABCGN in the certification space but operates at much greater scale and across multiple specialties.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/abcgn

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about American Board Of Certification For Gastroenterology Nurses