Can contact hours provided by my hospital count?
If your hospital is accredited by an approved provider, you can claim the contact hour.
I have more than the 50 required contact hours, should I include them?
For initial certification, it is not necessary to include anything over 50 contact hours. For recertification, 80 total contact hours are required, with a minimum of 50 contact hours specific to gerontology. It is suggested that you limit additional contact hours to 5.
The program I am looking at to earn my 50 contact hours only partly pertains to gerontology. Would that count toward my 50 contact hours?
The candidate may submit NCPD contact hours for partial credit. It is the candidate’s responsibility to determine the portion of the NCPD contact hour’s content that was related to gerontology or applicable to gerontological populations. The candidate may also submit the course's objectives and content outline for a determination on a case-by-case basis by the GNCC Board of Directors.
My practice is a mixture of patients from all age groups. Can I count all the hours for my practice hour requirement?
No you cannot count ALL of your practice hours, however, you may only count the hours and portions of working with gerontology patients. This will be verified with your supervisor.
Do you want copies of my contact hour (CE) certificates?
No, do not send copies of your NCPD/CNE certificates when you submit your application. Just send your application and contact hour documentation forms. If your application is selected for random audit, copies of your certificates will be requested at that time.
How many continuing educations hours are required for eligibility to take the Gerontological Specialist certification exam?
For Initial Certification, the applicant must have completed fifty (50) contact hours of approved continuing education in gerontology within 3 years prior to submitting the exam application. Continuing education hours must be accredited by a provider of approver of continuing nursing education, or medical education, such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a state board of nursing, nursing association, Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
Does GNCC offer educational courses or training materials to prepare exam candidates to take the Gerontological Specialist certification exams?
No, GNCC is a certification agency and does not approve, develop, offer, or endorse any educational programs. The commission does provide a list of resources that may be helpful in preparing for the GS-C certification exam. We also recommend that you contact the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) for study materials.
If I already have a foundational nurse practitioner certification, why should I take the exam?
Foundational nurse practitioner certifications, such as the APRN-CNS(c), provide acknowledgement of the competency of the CNS in working with adults and older adults. The APRN Gerontological Specialist (GS-C) certification demonstrates expert proficiency for the management of complex older adults. With the retirement of the Gerontological NP and CNS certification, the validation for knowledge, skills, and experience on working with the health issues of the complex older adults is a missing piece to credentialing for this advanced experience.
As an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner or Family Nurse Practitioner, why should I get Gerontological Specialist-Certified (GS-C)?
The GS-C specialty certification distinguishes APRNs who possess expert knowledge, experience, and skill in managing the complex health needs of older adults. This certification recognizes expertise at the proficient level in managing complex older adults.
What certification exams are offered by GNCC?
GNCC currently offers the APRN Gerontological Specialist Certification exam.