Complaints and Disciplinary Policy

As a national certifying body, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Board, Inc. develops and administers certification programs for individuals wishing to enter, continue and/or advance in the nurse practitioner profession through established certification processes. To be eligible for certification or recertification, an individual must comply with AANPCB Standards of Conduct, and Policies and Procedures set forth in AANPCB Disciplinary Policy.

The AANPCB Disciplinary Policy:

• Articulates standards of conduct for individuals seeking certification and recertification and for individuals holding certification.
• Establishes a fair process for addressing noncompliance.

Violations and Sanctions
Actions which constitute a violation of AANPCB Disciplinary Policy include, but are not limited to:

• Cheating on an examination.
• Providing false information.
• Misrepresenting certification status.
• Misusing AANPCB property.
• Being subject to any regulatory, criminal, or civil action related to the practice as a certified NP.

Grounds for sanctions are as follows:

• Conviction of a felony or other crime of moral turpitude under federal or state law in a matter related to the practice of, or qualifications for professional activity.
• Gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of professional services or other unethical or unprofessional conduct based on the formal determination of a licensing body.
• Fraud or misrepresentation of the NP-C credential.

It is the certified nurse practitioner’s responsibility to renew their certification in a timely manner prior to expiration. AANPCB-certified Nurse Practitioners who allow their certification to expire may not use the NP-C credential or present themselves as an AANPCB-certified nurse practitioner. AANPCB awards the Nurse Practitioner-Certified (NP-C) credential. As the owner of the NP-C trademark, AANPCB controls its use.

Process for Submitting a Complaint or Concern
Complaints about an applicant or a Nurse Practitioner certified by AANPCB may be submitted by any individual or entity, must be in writing, and include the identity of the submitter as well as the identity of the Certificant. Address correspondence to the attention of the AANPCB Business Manager at Certification@aanpcert.org or mail to the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board at P.O. Box 12926, Austin, TX 78711. Appropriate and complete documentation must be submitted in writing before a complaint or violation of policy will be reviewed. Review will take place within 30 days of receipt of documents. Notice of determination shall be provided within 10 business days of the decision via electronic or paper methods to include email and postal service.

Individuals who bring forth complaints are not entitled to relief or damages by virtue of this process. Actions taken by AANPCB do not constitute enforcement of the law, although referral to appropriate federal, state or local government agencies, including boards of nursing, law enforcement, public health agencies, or employers may be made about an applicant or Certificant’s conduct in appropriate situations. The Board of Commissioners may amend, modify, or change the Disciplinary Policy and procedures without prior notice.

Process for submitting an appeal of a disciplinary decision

Appropriate and complete documentation must be submitted along with the required fee before the appeal can be reviewed. The written appeal will be reviewed within 30 days of receipt of documents. Notice of determination shall be provided to the applicant within 10 business days of the decision via electronic or paper methods to include email and postal service. The appeal decision is final. There is no further appeal beyond this point. The applicant will be responsible for any expenses incurred during the Appeals Process. Correspondence regarding an appeal should be addressed to the attention of the Director of Certification at certification@aanpcert.org.

Examination Security Conditions

The certification examinations and all items on the examinations are the exclusive property of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Board, Inc.

Candidates who apply for the certification examination must acknowledge that they understand the following prior to taking the examination:

• Federal copyright law protects AANPCB’s examinations and the items contained therein.
• Retention, possession, copying, distribution, disclosure, discussion or receipt of any AANPCB certification examination question, in whole or in part, by written, electronic, oral, or other form of communication, including but not limited to emailing, copying or printing of electronic files, and reconstruction through memorization and/or dictation, before, during or after the certification examination is strictly prohibited.
• Theft or attempted theft of examination content is punishable by law.
• Candidate participation in any irregularity occurring during or after the examination, such as giving or obtaining unauthorized information or aid, as evidenced by observation or subsequent statistical analysis, may be sufficient cause to terminate participation, invalidate results of the examination, or necessitate other appropriate action per AANPCB Disciplinary Policy.
• All incidents involving examination administration security will be reported to the AANPCB Board of Commissioners. Grounds for sanction may be warranted.
• Prometric testing center regulations may be viewed at www.prometric.com