Advance Your Career with AAPACN Certification Programs
AAPACN’s certification programs are built by nurse experts and trusted by thousands of long-term and post-acute care professionals. Whether you’re new to the MDS or a seasoned DON, AAPACN certifications provide the knowledge and confidence to lead with excellence.
Explore AAPACN Certifications
| Certification | Best For | Focus Areas | Courses | Outcome | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAC-CT® Resident Assessment Coordinator – Certified |
Nurse assessment coordinators, LTPAC nurses | MDS 3.0, RAI process, Medicare, care planning, federal regulations | 10 | Industry-standard certification in MDS accuracy and compliance | |
| RAC-CTA® Advanced Certification |
Experienced MDS professionals, Medicare specialists, clinical reimbursement consultants | Auditing, ICD-10-CM, quality initiatives, PPS, Medicare compliance | 10 | Advanced designation for MDS and Medicare experts | |
| DNS-CT® Director of Nursing Services – Certified |
DNSs, clinical leaders, nurse managers | Leadership, HR, team building, compliance, budgets | 10 | Credential in nurse leadership and facility operations | |
| QCP® Quality Care Process Certification |
Quality managers, infection preventionists, DNSs, administrators, medical director, members of QAPI and/or IDT | QAPI, root cause analysis, quality measures, process improvement | 5 | Credential in leading quality and performance initiatives | |
| Need help choosing? View the AAPACN Education Guide | |||||
Additional Recommendations
- AAPACN recommends at least six months of experience working with the RAI process and the MDS 3.0 to reap the full benefits of this program. If you have less than six months of experience, consider MDS Essentials as a foundation to get started and prepare for RAC-CT.
- If you’re new to the DNS role, the DNS Fundamentals course provides foundational knowledge to help you navigate the DNS position more effectively.
Why Get Certified with AAPACN?
Built for LTPAC Nurses – Designed by experts who understand the demands of post-acute care
Flexible Learning – 100% online and self-paced courses that fit your schedule.
National Recognition – Recognized by employers across the country and trusted throughout the LTPAC profession
Career Growth – Strengthen your resume, gain confidence, and position yourself for leadership roles
Better Resident Outcomes – Apply what you learn to improve resident outcomes and elevate your team’s performance
Additional Resources
- How to Prepare for AAPACN Certification, LTC NAC Chat podcast
- Learning Timeline
- Candidate Handbook
- Education FAQs page
- Value of Certification
- Organizational Membership + Certification Options
- Scholarship and Funding Opportunities
What Nurses Are Saying
“RAC-CT gave me the confidence and knowledge I needed to succeed. My facility saw improvements in accuracy and reimbursement within months.”
— Jennifer L., RN, RAC-CT
“I earned my DNS-CT while transitioning into a leadership role. The program was a game-changer for my management skills.”
— Marcus H., DNS-CT
Ready to Get Started?
Invest in your future. Invest in better care.
RAC-CT
RAC-CTA
DNS-CT
QCP
Did you know AAPACN members save on the cost of certification? Join AAPACN before registering for your certification to secure the lowest price possible.