Recertification Overview

Certificant Responsibilities
Continuing Competency Hour Requirements
Active Involvement
Why Become Recertified?
When do I Recertify?
AHNCC Recertification Handbook
Alternative Options for Continuing Competencies
Rationale for Recertification Requirements

Certificant Responsibilities

1. Keep your contact information current with AHNCC;

• Log into your record at www.ahncc.org (Login at the top of the page), or
• Send changes to info@ahncc.org;

2. Notify AHNCC of Last Name changes (send copy of official documentation to info@ahncc.org);
3. Continue to be in good standing in nursing with an active, unrestricted RN license;
4. Be actively involved in Holistic Nursing or Nurse Coaching (See Active Involvement below);
5. Completion of 100 continuing competency hours of continuing education or professional development activities that build your holistic nursing, or nurse coaching, knowledge, skills, attitudes, and expertise. (See Continuing Competency Hour Requirements below.) ;
6. Apply for Recertification in a timely manner;
7. If you UNSUBSCRIBE to any email sent by AHNCC, you will no longer receive Newsletters, notifications of upcoming events, important announcements, or continuing competency opportunities. (You will still receive reminder notices for upcoming Recertification.) If you did unsubscribe in the past and wish to continue receiving newsletters, etc., please contact info@ahncc.org. If you are retired, or no longer plan to renew for any other reason, please let us know.

Renewal of the Holistic Nurse and Nurse Coach Certifications are due every 5 years. At this time certain requirements must be met for an individual to demonstrate continuing competency in their specialty area, in this case Holistic Nurse or Nurse Coaching. Continuing competency is demonstrated by meeting the standardized requirements which include: maintenance of an unrestricted RN license; active practice in your specialty area; and 100 CNEs or equivalent credits through other professional development activities such as presentations or publishing.

Continuing competency is an ongoing, life-long process that includes self-assessment and self-reflection which facilitates self-awareness, self-development and reflective practice. Continuing Competency hours do not have to be official CNE’s. AHNCC believes that our certificants are committed to integrate and apply their knowledge, skills, judgement, and expertise, using attitudes, values, and beliefs required to practice safely, effectively, and ethically in their designated role, patient population and/or setting. The Holistic Nurse or Nurse Coach certificant is also expected to understand, respect, and honor different cultural views, values, beliefs, and behaviors of those they serve. Recertification requirements are required to ensure that certificants are in compliance with AHNCC’s continuing competency viewpoint.

The continuing competency criterion for renewal of your AHNCC certification is the equivalent of 100 continuing education hours in your specialty (i.e. holistic nursing or nurse coaching) and related disciplines. Continuing competency hours must have been acquired from the date of your last certification to the date for renewal and submission of your recertification application. Continuing competency means that you have completed learning experiences that result in updating and expanding your knowledge, and skills in your specialty. Therefore, credit is given for appropriate continued education courses and alternative and equivalent activities such as publishing, presentations at conferences, and academic courses in your specialty.

Specific information follows: All continuing competency hours submitted must build your knowledge, skills, attitudes and expertise in holistic nursing, holistic health, or nurse coaching related content. Contact hours may address holistic integrative nursing, theories, theorists or major concepts such as spirituality, intention, holistic self-care, sacred space or presence that are relevant to your practice. They can also be related to holistic, integrative modalities, methods of practice, communication skills, relationship-based patient-centered care, and studies that facilitate self-care, growth, and transformation within a holistic context. For individuals certified in nurse coaching, content focused on the skills, attitudes, and knowledge related to the role of nurse coaching can also be submitted.

Medical focused courses will not be accepted unless you can explain how they relate to your practice. Courses that are considered basic nursing preparation and courses for lay people are not accepted.

Specific written documentation must be provided if audited.

If you have questions about whether or not a course or activity will be accepted for continuing competency credit, please contact us at info@ahncc.org.

Click here to Learn more about possible sources of CNEs, Alternative Options for meeting requirements or Professional Development Activities.

Candidates applying for AHNCC recertification must have been actively involved in the practice of their specialty for one (1) full year or part-time for a minimum of 2,000 hours (1200 hours for Nurse Coaches) within the last five (5) years prior to application. This may include private practice, working as an educator, researcher, at the bedside or in the community, volunteer work, i.e. as a parish nurse, or anywhere else where you use your RN license, and offer holistic nursing knowledge, skills, beliefs, and expertise.

AHNCC has a couple of options for individuals interested in renewing their credentials: Active or Inactive recertification, and retired status.
You can view or download the Recertification Handbook here.

Specific questions about recertification can be directed to recertification@ahncc.org.

Certification is a professional pathway to validate your nursing specialty knowledge, competence, and expertise. With today’s healthcare focus on health promotion, wellness, and well-being your certification provides evidence and assures consumers, employers, and other key stakeholders that you are a leader in healthcare transformation.

All AHNCC certification examinations are nationally accredited through the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC) www.nursingcertification.org and are recognized by ANCC as Magnet approved and can be found at: https://absnc.org/certification/accredited-programs.

AHNCC Certification is the only nationally accredited certification program in Holistic Nursing and Nurse Coaching. Lead and support the shift in global healthcare from a paradigm of illness to one of wellness, and well-being. Renew your credentials now.

Certification is valid for a period of 5 years from the date appearing on the certificate. Recertification is due on the fifth year, the last day of the month appearing on the certificate.

AHNCC will notify Certificants by email approximately 6 months prior to their expiration date. Recertification documents should be sent 2 months or 60 days before the Certification Expiration Date to ensure time for processing.

Certification is no longer active after the date stated on the certificate if the recertification process has not been completed. Credentials are not backdated. Inactive certificants are not permitted to use certification credentials. The Recertification Application may be submitted at any time during the 3-year Inactive period. After three years the certification would be Expired. Re-application and re-testing would be required.

The HWNC-BC (Health and Wellness Nurse Coaching – Board Certified) credential is a nurse coach credential and is used instead of the NC-BC credential if you are actively certified with AHNCC as both holistic nurse and nurse coach. (It is not a combined credential. You want to use both the holistic nurse credential and the HWNC-BC credential.)

If your nurse coach and holistic nurse certifications are both due for recertification in less than 6 months, you may renew both with one recertification application. If they are due more than six months apart, each requires a separate recertification application. If you let the holistic nursing certification lapse, the HWNC-BC certification becomes NC-BC certification, and you would receive a new NC-BC certificate. Each requires a Recertification Fee, but the HWNC-BC recertification fee is discounted.