CARN-AP Certification: Overview and FAQ
If you’re a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist working in addiction care, earning your CARN-AP certification could help advance your career. This acronym stands for Certified Addiction Registered Nurse — Advanced Practice, and it’s one of the leading certifications for this specialty. It shows that you’ve gone above and beyond to improve care for patients with substance use disorders.
More than 46 million people — 16.5% of the population — meet the qualifications for having a substance use disorder. Nurses who work in addiction and substance use treatment facilities are essential for helping these patients obtain quality, evidence-based care. Advanced practice nurses help expand access to treatment, and might work in the following areas:
- Inpatient psychiatric and substance units
- Outpatient treatment centers
- Community health centers
- Mental health facilities
- Hospitals
- Private practices
- Corrections facilities
- Public health agencies
- Telehealth services
- Academic and research institutions
What Is Addiction Nursing Certification?
The Certified Addiction Registered Nurse — Advanced Practice (CARN-AP) credential is offered by the Addictions Nursing Certification Board (ANCB). It’s designed for advanced practice nurses with specialized knowledge and skills in addiction nursing. Achieving this certification signifies a nurse’s commitment to excellence in the field and their ability to provide high-quality care to individuals struggling with substance use disorder.
Becoming certified in addiction is not a practice requirement, but an additional credential that requires prior experience to apply. To earn certification, a nurse must meet the qualifications, apply, pass an exam, and maintain their credentials. Going through the certification process has potential benefits like additional credibility, higher job satisfaction, more career opportunities, and improved care quality.
Who Should Pursue an Advanced Practice Addiction Nursing Certification?
This certification is ideal for advanced practice nurses with experience in addiction, as well as those with one or more of the following credentials:
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
How to Earn CARN-AP Certification
Ready to become certified in this essential area? Here are the steps you’ll need to take to earn this credential:
Step 1: Meet Certification Requirements
To qualify for certification, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:
- Current and valid RN license
- Master’s degree or higher in nursing
- 45 hours of continuing education in addictions nursing within the past 3 years
- At least 500 supervised hours in addictions care (may be completed during a master’s program)
- At least 1,500 hours of advanced practice nursing experience in addiction within the past 3 years
Step 2: Apply for Certification
Once you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply through the ANCB website. Complete the online application form and provide proof of licensure and academic records. You’ll also need to pay the certification fee, which are as follows:
- Standard application fee: $400
- Incomplete application fee: $50
- Bank fee: $35
You should receive an exam permit in about four weeks if you’re approved, which will include a link to schedule your test. Your permit will expire after 90 days, after which you’ll have to pay the fees again, so don’t delay scheduling.
Step 3: Pass the CARN-AP Exam
The test is offered in person, and you’ll need a valid government ID to enter the testing facility. The certification exam consists of 150 questions, and 125 of them are scored. Here’s what it covers:
- Alcohol use disorder
- Cannabis use disorder
- Co-occurring and comorbid psychiatric conditions
- Opioid use disorder
- Other use disorders (prescription drugs, inhalants, hallucinogens, designer drugs, process addiction)
- Stimulant use disorder
- Tobacco use disorder
To prepare for the test, use the CARN-AP study guide in ANCB’s handbook, and consider enrolling in an online CARN-AP review course. You can also take a CARN-AP practice exam by going through the free practice questions provided by the Association for Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance Use and Addiction (AMERSA).
Step 4: Maintain Certification
CARN-AP certification is valid for four years, and you’ll renew online. To be eligible, you’ll have to meet the initial certification requirements in addition to the following:
- Complete 80 continuing education credits, which may be earned in academic coursework, volunteer service, or scholarly activities.
- Complete at least 1,200 hours of practice in addictions or addictions-related settings.
You’ll also need to pay the recertification fee, which is $375. If you apply to recertify after your credential expires, you’ll need to pay an additional $100 fee.
Advanced Practice Addiction Nursing Certification FAQs
How hard is the advanced practice addiction nursing exam?
On average, about 65% of test takers pass the certification exam. How difficult you find the test will depend on your level of preparation and experience in addiction nursing. Creating a study plan and sticking to it can help you feel confident and ready to succeed. If you don’t pass the first time, there’s no limit on the amount of time you can take the test, but you’ll have to pay the exam fees and apply again.
What’s the difference between CARN-AP vs. CARN?
Both credentials are offered by ANBC, and both certify that a nurse is dedicated to excellence in addiction care. The difference is that they are tailored to different nursing professionals. CARN is for experienced RNs who provide direct care to patients, while the advanced practice credential is for nurses with additional training to prescribe, diagnose, and create medical care plans.
Related Certifications
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC)
- Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Certification (PMH-BC)
- Crisis Prevention Institute Certification (CPI)
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