ACHPN Certification: Overview and FAQ

The Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN) certification is a credential for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) specializing in hospice and palliative care. This credential is a testament to your expertise in providing high-quality care for patients with serious, chronic, or terminal conditions.

With around 90 million Americans living with serious illness and 6 million needing palliative care, your skills are in high demand. If you’re ready to earn this valuable certification, this guide walks you through the process step by step.

Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse Certification: Snapshot

• ACHPN meaning: Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse
• Eligibility: Hold an active APRN license or certification, complete an accredited NP or CNS program, provide an academic record or transcripts, and accumulate 500 hours (in the past 12 months) or 1,000 hours (in the past 2 years) of specialty experience.
• Preparation: Study the content outline, review the candidate handbook, use exam study tips, take practice tests, and consider enrolling in a review course.
• Application process: Submit an online application, upload supporting documents, and wait for the eligibility verification.
• Exam: The test will include 175 questions, and you’ll have 3 hours and 30 minutes to answer them.
• Cost: The exam fee is $515.
• Renewal: You’ll need to renew your certification every 4 years.

What Is ACHPN Certification?

This professional credential is for nurse practitioners (NPs) and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) specializing in symptom management, ethical decision-making, and holistic support for patients and families facing serious illnesses in hospice and palliative care settings. To qualify for this credential, APRNs must meet eligibility requirements and pass a specialized exam administered by the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC).

Looking for a glimpse of the exam content? The content is structured around four main areas of knowledge, each featuring its own set of specialty-specific topics.

Steps to Get ACHPN Certification

Ready to obtain this specialized credential? Here’s a clear guide to help you through the process.

Step 1: Meet Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to sit for the exam, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:

• Hold a current, unrestricted APRN license or certification in the U.S., its territories, or Canada.
• Complete an accredited NP or CNS program from a U.S. school or a Canadian program approved by the Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators (CCRNR).
• Have at least 500 hours of hospice and palliative advanced nursing practice as an NP or CNS in the past 12 months or 1,000 hours in the past 24 months.

Step 2: Prepare for the Exam

Now that you’re eligible, let’s dive into studying. The HPCC offers valuable study resources to help. Here’s where to begin:

• ACHPN review book
• ACHPN Study Guide for the Hospice and Palliative APRN
• Candidate handbook
• Detailed content outline
• HPCC exam study tips
• ACHPN review course (interactive, live virtual, or lecture-based)
• ACHPN practice test
• Publications for APRNs

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Once you’ve completed your preparation, it’s time to apply for the exam. Create an online account, submit an application for your certification type, and upload necessary documents like your practice hours verification and academic record. Once approved, you’ll receive an eligibility letter and can schedule your exam at a PSI testing center or online with live remote proctoring. Here are the testing windows:

Step 4: Pay the Exam Fee

Once your application is submitted, complete your payment to finalize registration. Here’s a budget breakdown:

• HPNA member initial certification: $355
• Nonmember initial certification: $515
• Review courses: Up to $500
• Practice exam: $45
• Books: Up to $260

Step 5: Pass the ACHPN Exam

You’ve put in the work — now it’s time to take the exam. Here’s what to expect on test day:

• Arrival: You’ll need to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled testing time with a valid identification, such as a driver’s license or passport.
• Time limit: You’ll have 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete the exam.
• Format: Your test will consist of 175 questions (150 scored, 25 unscored).
• Passing score: You’ll need to score at least 500 to pass, with scores ranging between 200 and 800. 
• Results: You’ll receive pass/fail results immediately after the exam; a detailed score report arrives via email within 24 hours.

Step 6: Maintain Your Certification

To keep your certification current, you’ll need to renew it every four years. Here’s what you need to do to maintain your credentials:

• Hold a current certification.
• Hold an active APRN license.
• Complete the required practice hours in your specialty (500 hours in the past 12 months or 1,000 hours in the past 2 years).
• Complete 100 professional development points.
• Pay the $590 renewal fee. 

You’ll need to renew through the Hospice and Palliative Accrual for Recertification (HPAR) process, which starts with submitting an HPAR application on the online platform called LearningBuilder and following the learning plan. You’ll also need to complete the Situational Judgment Exercise (SJE), which is a case-based assessment of your clinical reasoning and decision-making skills.

Frequently Asked Questions: Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse

What accreditation does this credential hold?

The HPCC has met all the accreditation standards set by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC). Plus, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has added the HPCC to the list of recognized national certifying bodies for NPs and CNSs. 

How do I verify my certification?

The HPCC online portal offers ACHPN certification verification, enabling certification holders and employers to quickly validate a nurse’s credentials. Just enter the name, state of practice, and certification type, and the credential details will be displayed.

How difficult is the exam?

The exam’s difficulty primarily hinges on your preparation. The exam has a pass rate of 67.1% for first-time test takers, so most candidates successfully earn their ACHPN certification, but a significant number still need to retake the exam.

What do I do if I don’t pass the exam?

If you’re concerned about failing the exam, consider the reTEST Assured program, which lets you retake it for $135. You must use this option within one of the next three test windows.

Is there financial assistance available?

The HPCC offers the Sandra Lee Schafer Certification Scholarship to help eligible nurses cover their certification fees. Here’s what you need to qualify:

• Provide a professional reference letter from a supervisor or manager.
• Write a brief essay (maximum 250 words) on why this certification is important to you and how you will use it to enhance your practice, benefit your workplace, and promote your profession.

Related Certifications

Want to specialize further? Take a look at these relevant certifications that can strengthen your expertise:

• Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (ACNP-BC) 
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (AGACNP-BC) 
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
• Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care (CPNP-PC)
• Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist (CCNS)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) 
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (WHNP-BC)

Ready for a New Nursing Opportunity?

No matter where you are in your ACHNP journey, IntelyCare can connect you to high-quality nursing opportunities that match your expertise and aspirations. Start discovering new possibilities today.