The AHCA/NCAL is pleased to offer members the opportunity to become a Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Certified Professional (QCP) through a partnership with American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN). 

The QCP designation and QAPI for Long-Term Care prep courses are setting the national standard in certification and education for CMS’s QAPI program. While the fundamental concept of the CMS QAPI program is to promote quality of care and quality of life for residents in skilled nursing facilities, the goal of QCP certification is to establish that professionals have the knowledge and skills necessary to demonstrate competence in QAPI for long-term care. 

The prep courses support achievement of the QCP credential. Upon completion of individual’s personal course of study and after passing the certification exam with a score of 80 percent or better, individuals are allowed to use the initials “QCP” to designate their status and expertise.

There are several benefits to individuals who attain the QCP designation, including:

• Verification by an independent organization of your mastery of the knowledge required to perform your job
• Professional growth and development
• Enhanced job opportunities

Nursing facilities also benefit through improved quality of care and quality of life for residents as the QAPI process is properly implemented and less training time needed to educate employees on the complex QAPI regulations and procedures. 

The QCP prep training program consists of five preparatory courses, offered as an online and PDF package. Candidates who complete all five self-study courses earn 16.21 hours of ANCC continuing education hours (CEs) or 18.5 NAB continuing education credits. Individuals have one year to complete the course from their registration dates. The member rate for the prep course is $427.50 when individuals register through the AHCA/NCAL QCP product store page.  

The price of the associated QCP certification exam is $110 when purchased from AAPACN through AHCA/NCAL by going here. AAPACN does require that certain prerequisites be met to be eligible for QCP certification which is valid for four years. AAPACN also has prerequisites for recertification and the fee is $110 when purchased here​.  

For questions about this certification program, review the QAPI Candidate Handbook. For general questions about AAPACN education, visit the FAQs page or contact the AAPACN Education Team at (800) 768-1880 or by going to this link​.