AGCNS-BC Certification: Overview and FAQ

If you’re in your final semester of a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) program, you’re probably thinking about board certification. One of your options is the Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist – Board Certified (AGCNS-BC) credential, which shows that a CNS is prepared for entry-level practice. But what is the certification process like, and what should you know if you’re preparing for it? Here’s a deep dive into this credential and how to earn it.

What Is AGCNS-BC?

Awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), this national certification shows that a CNS has the knowledge and skills to practice nursing at an advanced level. A CNS is a registered nurse with additional training and education that allows them to work under an expanded scope of practice. They bridge the gap between patient care and research, serving as clinicians, consultants, researchers, and more.

To earn this certification, a nurse must have an RN license and complete a master’s, doctoral, or post-master’s certificate program. Nurses with this credential may work in any of the following healthcare settings:

• Long-term care facilities
• Acute care units
• Outpatient clinics
• Home health agencies
• Hospice and palliative care
• Academic and research institutions
• Healthcare administration

AGCNS-BC Salary Average

On average, a typical CNS salary is $106,604 per year. What you make in this role depends on several factors, like your experience level, specialty area, and any additional credentials you obtain.

How to Become a Board-Certified Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist: 4 Steps

Step 1: Meet Certification Requirements

To qualify, you’ll need to meet ANCC’s Adult-Gerontology CNS certification requirements. These include the following:

• Hold a current, active RN license in the U.S. or a recognized jurisdiction.
• Have a master’s, postgraduate, or DNP degree from an accredited CNS program.
• The CNS program must include at least 500 supervised clinical hours and coursework in:
• Advanced pathophysiology
• Advanced pharmacology
• Advanced health assessment
• Clinical specialty focus on adult-gerontology
• The CNS program must also include content in health promotion/maintenance, differential diagnoses, disease management, and pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions.

Step 2: Apply for Certification

Once you meet the requirements, create an ANCC login to get started on your application. Here are the items you’ll need to apply:

• Validation of Education form as a PDF
• Transcripts in one of the following forms:
• Final, official transcripts from your university after graduation
• Official transcripts from your university before graduation
• Unofficial transcripts from your university after graduation

Note that you can apply for the certification exam before your graduation date as long as your coursework and clinical hours are complete. ANCC strongly recommends sending e-transcripts rather than paper forms to avoid application delays.

You’ll also need to pay an application fee when you submit your forms. The fees are as follows:

• American Nurses Association (ANA) members: $395
• Non-ANA members: $295
• American Association of Nurse Practitioners members: $340
• Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) members: $340
• National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) members: $340

Step 3: Pass the Certification Exam

Once your application is approved by the board, you’ll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT), allowing you to schedule your certification exam. The test is scheduled through Prometric, and it’s 150 questions long. Here’s what it covers:

• Assessment and diagnosis
• Planning and implementation
• Evaluation

Along with these general question categories, you’ll also need to know about the 13 body systems, 12 types of drug agents, and four age groups. The ANCC offers readiness tests and sample test questions to help you understand how to improve your knowledge for exam day. You can also read the test reference list for more resources.

ANCC’s exams are pass/fail, and if you don’t do well, you’ll receive a score report with information on content areas to review. You can apply for retesting after 60 days, but you can’t test more than three times in a year. Once you pass the exam, you’ll be able to find your credentials using the ANCC certification verification portal.

Step 4: Maintain Your Credential

ANCC’s credentials are valid for five years, after which you’ll need to complete the renewal process to continue practicing. You can submit your renewal up to a year before your credential expires, so don’t wait to do so. View the requirements for ANCC renewals below:

• Current, active RN license
• Current ANCC certification
• At least 75 continuing education hours
• At least 1 of the 8 renewal categories below:
• 75 additional continuing education hours
• 5 academic semester credits or 6 quarter credits
• 1 or more presentations, with a total of 5 clock hours in your specialty
• 1 evidence-based or quality-improvement project, publication, or research
• 120 advanced practice preceptor or clinical supervision hours
• 2 or more consecutive years of volunteer service with a healthcare organization
• 1,000 CNS practice hours within the certification period
• Retake and pass the certification exam

In addition, renewals require a fee. See the fee that applies to your situation below:

• ANA members: $275
• Non-ANA members: $375
• American Association of Nurse Practitioners members: $295
• GAPNA members: $320
• NACNS members: $320

AGNCS-BC FAQ

Does AGCNS-BC certification allow me to prescribe medication?

Not necessarily. Some states grant prescriptive authority to CNSs, but others do not. Check with your state board of nursing for specific regulations.

AGCNS vs. AGPCNP: What’s the difference?

An Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) has different education requirements, job goals, and scope compared to an AGCNS-BC, meaning, the two have some role overlap but the professions are distinct. Below are the key differences between these roles:

• Education and credentialing: Both CNSs and NPs have either an MSN or DNP, but NPs attend their own educational programs that focus on patient care.
• Career focus: CNSs work at the systems level, improving care and advancing education. NPs typically provide direct care to patients in hospitals, clinics, and other areas.
• Prescriptive authority: NPs can prescribe in every state (although some states require supervision), while CNS can only prescribe in some states.

Related Certifications

• Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist (CCNS)
• Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist – Board Certified (ACNS-BC)
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (AGACNP-BC)
• Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – Board Certification (ACNP-BC)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C or FNP-BC)
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist – Board Certified (PMHCNS-BC)

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