ACHPN registration and the application audit
- Awarded by
- Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC)
- Holders
- 2,628 current ACHPN holders as of February 19, 2026 [6]
- Facts taken from
- HPCC: ACHPN Computer Based Examination Candidate Handbook, December 2025 + 5 more documents under Sources
- Last read
ACHPN registration runs through the credentialing center's portal and then PSI. One step works differently from the RN exam, where audits are random: every application for the advanced exam is audited, and no one books until it clears. As of Nov 11, 2026, the exam costs $355 for HPNA members and $515 for others, and the year has four testing windows.
On this page 7 sections
ACHPN booking and fee facts
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| How to book | Apply and pay online through HPCC, which hands you to PSI; after the audit clears, schedule a test center or remote appointment. Every ACHPN application is audited: license copy, practice-hours form, candidate checklist and transcript. The audit can take up to 14 business days after PSI receives all documents. | ACHPN (Advanced Practice RN) credential page [1][2] |
| Testing dates | Four one-month windows a year: March, June, September and December. Applications close February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 for the March, June, September and December windows. | ACHPN Computer Based Examination Candidate Handbook [1][2] |
| Where you test | About 500 PSI test centers in the US, or live remote proctoring from home. Fees and testing windows are the same for both. | ACHPN Computer Based Examination Candidate Handbook [2][3] |
| Test provider | PSI | ACHPN Computer Based Examination Candidate Handbook [1][2] |
| Rescheduling and cancellation | Rescheduling inside the same window is free if done at least 24 hours ahead; moving to the next window costs a $110 transfer fee | ACHPN Computer Based Examination Candidate Handbook [2] |
| Exam fee | $515 for non-members of HPNA. Fees are not refundable. | ACHPN (Advanced Practice RN) credential page [1][2] |
| Member price | $355 for HPNA members. Membership must be in place before you submit the exam application. | ACHPN (Advanced Practice RN) credential page [1][2] |
| Other charges | $110 transfer to the next window; $135 reTEST Assured | ACHPN Computer Based Examination Candidate Handbook [2][4] |
| Retake fee | $135 once through reTEST Assured, taken in one of the next three windows; after that, the full fee | ACHPN Computer Based Examination Candidate Handbook [2][4] |
| Renewal fee | $480 early-bird or $590 standard for non-members; $320 or $430 for HPNA members. Reactivation costs $750, or $590 for members. | ACHPN Computer Based Examination Candidate Handbook [2][5] |
Fees as of Nov 11, 2026; exam fees are not refundable.
What the audit asks for
Because every application is audited, have the documents listed in the table ready before the application period opens. The review starts only once PSI has all of them, and the table gives how long it can take, so leave that time before the deadline. You can book a date only after the audit clears.
Booking a seat or a remote session
After the audit, choose a PSI room or a remotely proctored session at home, on a day inside the window. A date change inside the window costs nothing when PSI hears in time; a later window costs the transfer fee shown in the table.
ACHPN costs over a certification cycle
Beyond the exam fee, a transfer and a single reTEST are the charges you may meet before you pass.
Renewal at 4 years runs $320–$590 as of Nov 11, 2026, cheaper for members and for early filers.
Before you apply for the ACHPN
- ACHPN
Who qualifies for the advanced practice exam, the audit, licensure and renewal
- ACHPN practice test
Free APRN-level questions on prognosis, prescribing, emergencies and ethics
- ACHPN exam facts
Length, pretest items, scaled scoring, results, pass rates and retakes
- ACHPN study guide
The four domains of the APRN exam, their traps, and the 2027 reweighting
Sources
- [1]HPCC: ACHPN (Advanced Practice RN) credential page advancingexpertcare.org, consulted Nov 11, 2026
- [2]HPCC: ACHPN Computer Based Examination Candidate Handbook, December 2025 (PDF) advancingexpertcare.org, consulted Nov 11, 2026
- [3]HPCC: Live remote proctoring advancingexpertcare.org, consulted Nov 11, 2026
- [4]HPCC: reTEST Assured program advancingexpertcare.org, consulted Nov 11, 2026
- [5]HPCC: How to recertify (CHPN and ACHPN pages) advancingexpertcare.org, consulted Nov 11, 2026
- [6]HPCC: Exam statistics (2025 exam results) advancingexpertcare.org, consulted Nov 11, 2026
ACHPN application questions
What documents does the APRN application audit require?
A copy of your APRN license or certification, the practice-hours form, the candidate checklist and a transcript from your NP or CNS program.
Do HPNA members pay less for the advanced exam?
Yes. As of Nov 11, 2026, members pay $355; the non-member price is in the table.
Can I change my test date after booking?
Yes, within your window and in time, at no charge. Pushing the exam into the next window is a paid transfer, and that is as far as it can move.