American Nurses Credentialing Center

What American Nurses Credentialing Center does

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) is a private nonprofit credentialing organization founded in 1991 and headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, operating as a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA) within the broader American Nurses Enterprise. ANCC's core function is administering nursing credentialing programs across two primary domains: individual nurse certifications (spanning 50+ specialty and advanced practice credentials such as AGACNP-BC, Family NP, Med-Surg, and Nurse Executive) and organizational credentialing programs (the flagship Magnet Recognition Program, Pathway to Excellence, Nursing Continuing Professional Development accreditation, and the newer Well-Being Excellence credential).

The underlying platform is a standards-based credentialing framework rather than a technology product: ANCC defines evaluation rubrics (the Magnet Model components of Transformational Leadership, Structural Empowerment, Exemplary Professional Practice, New Knowledge/Innovations/Improvements, and Empirical Outcomes), conducts site visits and document reviews, and confers designations that carry reputational weight in healthcare. ANCC is the only nurse credentialing organization to achieve ISO 9001:2015 certification, and its Magnet credential is now embedded in third-party rankings including U.S. News & World Report quality criteria and Newsweek's 2026 America's Best-in-State Hospitals list. Approximately 642 organizations worldwide hold Magnet status, representing roughly 10% of U.S. hospitals, and the designation exhibits strong retention with multiple organizations achieving fifth and sixth redesignations.

Revenue is generated through recurring individual certification fees (typically $295-$395 per examination with multi-year renewal cycles), organizational application and redesignation fees for Magnet/Pathway/accreditation programs, conference registrations (the Magnet & Pathway Conference attracts over 15,000 nurses annually), continuing education products and publications, and philanthropy through affiliated American Nurses Foundation grants. Customer segments include individual registered nurses, hospitals and large health systems (UI Health, HSS, Stony Brook, Children's Hospital Colorado, Kaiser Permanente, MedStar, Texas Children's), nursing schools seeking NCPD accreditation, and corporate sponsors. The organization operates a sales-led go-to-market combining direct online applications, enterprise contracts for organizational credentialing, conference-driven engagement, and accredited education provider partnerships.

Name

American Nurses Credentialing Center

Legal name

American Nurses Credentialing Center

Website

https://nursingworld.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Short description

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) is a nonprofit subsidiary of the American Nurses Association that administers nursing certifications for individual nurses and organizational credentialing programs — most notably the Magnet Recognition Program, which designates roughly 10% of U.S. hospitals for nursing excellence.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nursing Credentialing Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Services, Nec (8900)

akta.pro primary industry

Nursing & Allied Health Certification Prep (CNA, EMT/Paramedic, Radiology, Sonography, PT/OT) (EDANAIAB)

Keywords

• Nursing certification programs
• Credentialing services
• Organizational accreditation
• Continuing professional development
• Magnet recognition

Headquarters

HQ city

Silver Spring

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Nurse Certifications: ANCC offers specialty certifications for individual nurses including AGACNP-BC, AGPCNP-BC, Family NP, Med-Surg, and many other nursing certifications. Nurses pay examination fees and certification fees to obtain and maintain credentials.
2. Organizational Credentialing Programs: Healthcare organizations pay fees to apply for and maintain Magnet Recognition, Pathway to Excellence designation, and accreditation for nursing continuing professional development. Fees cover application review, site visits, and ongoing monitoring.
3. Continuing Education and Publications: ANCC sells online courses, workshops, books, and certification test prep materials. Publications include scope and standards of practice manuals, review and resource manuals, and specialty nursing guides.
4. Conference and Event Registrations: Revenue from the annual Magnet & Pathway Conference, Research Symposium, and other professional nursing events including sponsorship opportunities and ticket sales.
5. Membership and Verification Services: Verification services for employer credential checking, and membership-related services through the American Nurses Association enterprise.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

ANCC is a private nonprofit credentialing organization that offers individual nurse specialty and advanced practice certifications, organizational recognition programs (Magnet Recognition Program and Pathway to Excellence), and accreditation services for nursing continuing professional development providers. Its flagship Magnet Recognition Program designates healthcare organizations that demonstrate nursing excellence and quality patient care, with only approximately 10% of U.S. hospitals achieving the designation.

Product overview

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) operates a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on nursing credentialing and excellence. The core offerings include the Magnet Recognition Program for organizational nursing excellence, Pathway to Excellence for positive work environments, and accreditation for Nursing Continuing Professional Development (NCPD). ANCC offers an extensive portfolio of individual nursing certifications spanning specialty and advanced practice areas (AGACNP-BC, AGPCNP-BC, Family NP, Med-Surg, and many others). Supporting modules include certification test preparation materials, the ANA Career Center for job placement, and the annual Magnet & Pathway Conference. The ANCC is a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA), which also encompasses the American Nurses Foundation for philanthropy and the American Nurses Enterprise for overall operations. The organization holds ISO 9001:2015 certification as the only nurse credentialing organization to achieve this standard.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Magnet Recognition Program: The gold standard for nursing excellence, recognizing healthcare organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence, and innovations in professional nursing practice.
• Pathway to Excellence Program
• ANCC Accreditation
• Well-Being Excellence
• American Nurses Enterprise
• The Power of Nurses

Products and services

• Magnet Recognition Program ANCC's flagship organizational credentialing program recognizing healthcare organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence, and innovations in professional nursing practice. Healthcare organizations apply, undergo multi-year evaluation, and pay fees for application review, site visits, and ongoing monitoring. Consumers rely on the Magnet designation as the ultimate credential for high-quality nursing.
• Pathway to Excellence Program Organizational program that recognizes healthcare facilities for creating positive work environments for nurses, focusing on Transformational Leadership, Structural Empowerment, Exemplary Professional Practice, and New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements.
• Nursing Continuing Professional Development (NCPD) Accreditation Accreditation program for nursing continuing professional development that demonstrates an organization's commitment to evidence-based educational standards and elevates accredited providers into ANCC's global community.
• Well-Being Excellence Credential Global distinction recognizing organizations for sustained commitment to employee well-being, with Gold Tier status as the highest recognition level.
• Individual Nursing Certifications Extensive portfolio of specialty and advanced practice certifications for individual registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses, including Medical-Surgical (MEDSURG-BC), Cardiac-Vascular (CV-BC), Nurse Executive (NE-BC), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC), Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (AGACNP-BC), Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (PMHNP-BC), and many other specialties. Nurses pay examination and certification fees through direct online applications and take exams at Prometric test centers.
• Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP) Accreditation program for transition-to-practice programs that prepares nurses for new practice roles within healthcare organizations.
• Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship Accreditation (APPFA) Accreditation program for advanced practice provider fellowship programs within healthcare organizations.
• Certification Test Prep & Review Courses Online courses, workshops, and review materials for certification preparation including PMHNP-BC Test Prep Essentials, FNP-BC Test Prep Essentials, and various specialty review and resource manuals. Examples include Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Test Prep (43.75 contact hours, list $399, member $279) and Family NP Certification (68.5 contact hours).

Quantifiable outcome

• Magnet-recognized hospitals deliver higher patient satisfaction, lower nurse burnout and turnover, and increased professional engagement
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 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

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Arizona College of NursingminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2026Arizona College of Nursing was granted accreditation for nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) from ANCC, demonstrating commitment to evidence-based educational standards and joining ANCC's global community of accredited organizations.
• Sigma Theta Tau InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 October 2025ANCC and Sigma Theta Tau award the Evidence-Based Practice Implementation Grant annually. The 2025 winner was Michele DeGrazia, PhD, RN, NNP-BC, FAAN.
• NewsweekcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 October 2025Newsweek incorporated ANCC's Magnet Recognition Program as a core element in its 2026 America's Best-in-State Hospitals rankings, validating Magnet as a key indicator of nursing excellence.
• National CARES Mentoring MovementminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 October 2025One of three national honorees at the 2025 Power of Nurses Celebration Dinner, recognized for contributions to nurse well-being and workforce development.
• Kaiser PermanenteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 October 2025One of three national honorees at the 2025 Power of Nurses Celebration Dinner, recognized for contributions to nurse well-being, workforce development, and the Reimagining Nursing Initiative. Also co-sponsored the 2025 Celebration Dinner.
• Compass HealthcareminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Benefactor sponsor of the 2025 and 2026 Celebration Dinner, supporting philanthropy and partnership in nursing.
• HumanaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Benefactor sponsor and Corporate Impact Award honoree at the 2026 Celebration Dinner, supporting nursing philanthropy initiatives.
• NurseHubminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Benefactor sponsor of the 2025 and 2026 Celebration Dinner, supporting nursing initiatives and professional development.
• OmnicellminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Benefactor sponsor of the 2025 and 2026 Celebration Dinner, supporting the Power of Nurses initiatives.
• Boston Children's HospitalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Diamond sponsor of the 2025 and 2026 Celebration Dinner, supporting nursing excellence initiatives.
• Chamberlain UniversityminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Diamond sponsor of the 2025 and 2026 Celebration Dinner, supporting nursing education and leadership.
• HIMSSminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 November 2018ANA and HIMSS announced a new relationship in 2018 to advance nurse-led innovation, creating a unique opportunity to harness a role for all nurses as innovators, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts.
• United Health FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2018Established the Jeannine Rivet National Leadership Fund in 2018, honoring Jeannine Rivet through annual fellowship grants to foster nursing leadership development. The partnership has provided $10,000 annual fellowships for 10 years. In 2023, Jeannine Rivet made a $250,000 gift to endow the award in perpetuity, extending the original commitment.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• URAC: Independent healthcare accreditation organization with programs across health plans, specialty pharmacies, and provider organizations. Comparable as a healthcare accreditation peer offering organizational credentials to provider entities, similar in business model to ANCC's Magnet/Pathway/NCPD programs.
• The Joint Commission: The dominant U.S. hospital and healthcare organization accreditation body. Comparable because it sets quality and safety standards that hospitals must meet, mirroring ANCC's role as a quality differentiator, though its scope is broader than nursing-specific credentialing.
• American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS): The premier physician board-certification body in the U.S. Comparable as an analogous professional credentialing model: specialty certification for individuals and recognized designations that signal quality, mirroring ANCC's nursing certification and Magnet framework.

Direct peers

• Sigma Theta Tau International (Sigma Nursing): The global nursing honor society and a co-grant partner with ANCC on evidence-based practice. Comparable because it sits within the nursing professional recognition ecosystem, awards credentials/distinctions to nurses, and collaborates with ANCC on research and leadership programs.
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN): Provides accreditation for nursing education programs across all levels. Comparable as a direct competitor in nursing program accreditation, sharing ANCC's audience of nursing schools and continuing education providers.
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE): Accredits baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs. Comparable as a U.S. nursing accreditation body that issues credentials to nursing education institutions, overlapping with ANCC's NCPD accreditation and organizational credentialing functions.
• National Certification Corporation (NCC): Provides specialty certifications for nurses in obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing. Comparable as a competing specialty nursing certification body targeting similar individual nurse segments with similar credentialing model and renewal economics.
• National League for Nursing (NLN): Major nursing professional and education organization offering accreditation and credentialing programs. Comparable because it sits in the same nursing professional ecosystem and serves overlapping audiences (nurse educators, nursing schools, nursing leadership).
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN): Oversees the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and nursing regulation across U.S. states. Comparable as a foundational nursing credentialing/regulatory body that defines who can practice, sitting adjacent to ANCC's specialty certification and credentialing functions.
• American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB): Certifies nurse practitioners in family and adult-gerontology specialties. Comparable because it offers individual nursing certifications in the same advanced practice categories that ANCC certifies (FNP, AGPCNP, AGACNP), competing head-to-head for NP candidates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/anccofficial
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/nursesmatter
• Facebookfacebook.com/AmericanNursesAssociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-nurses-association

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about American Nurses Credentialing Center