ANCC defines competency as "…behavior based on beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge matched to and in the context of a set of expected outcomes as defined by nursing scope of practice, policy, code of ethics, standards, guidelines, and benchmarks that ensure safe performance of professional activities." ( Scope and Standards of Practice for Nursing Professional Development, ANA, 2000.) Nursing Skills Competency Programs accredited by ANCC are combined educational/evaluative experiences designed to be consistent with recognized criteria and provide evidence of the learner's satisfactory ability to perform a particular skill set at a given point in time. A credentialing process for these programs has been developed to provide consumers, employers, and credentialing bodies with a consistent, measurable expectation of the knowledge and abilities of the graduate of a skills competency program accredited by ANCC.

Consistent adherence to all ANCC accreditation criteria for the Nursing Skills Competency Program is expected of the accredited Nursing Skills Competency Program for the full credentialed period. It is NOT required that the provider of a Nursing Skills Competency Program be accredited by the ANCC Accreditation Program as a provider of continuing nursing education. In order to receive ANCC accreditation, Nursing Skills Competency programs may be provided only by single entities. They are not co-provided.

Application Instructions

In addition to the Organization and Program Information form, the Nursing Skills Competency Program accreditation application is composed of two pieces – Proof of Eligibility and Support for Program Criteria. Please be certain to address each of the "Supporting Evidence" bullet points in each section. All documents and attachments must be clearly labeled following the application outline.

Supporting evidence should be provided as a series of narrative statements or documents, written in a concise and easily understood manner. The goal is to explain as clearly as possible how your organization's educational program meets the eligibility and program criteria. Supporting exhibits may be integrated with the narrative or accumulated in a separate section of the report.

When your application is complete:

• Check that all attachments are properly labeled following the application outline
• Sign and date the Attestation Form
• Consolidate all materials in one complete package. Materials may be submitted in printed and/or electronic format. Acceptable electronic formats include CD or flash drives. All electronic documents must be compatible with Microsoft Office applications and must be titled to match the application outline.
• Mail the completed documents to:

Nursing Skills Competency Program
American Nurses Credentialing Center
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 400
Silver Spring , MD 20910-3492

If you have questions about your application, please contact the ANCC Accreditation office at 301.628.5261.