The Vascular Access-Board Certified™ or VA-BC™ examination is the standardized measure of the basic knowledge, skills and abilities expected of professionals working in vascular access.
It is an accredited credential by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and is ANCC Magnet-recognized.
The exam is multiple-choice, consisting of 150 questions (125 of these questions are used in computing the score). Each item consists of a question with four (4) possible answers.
You have two and one half (2 ½) hours to take the exam. In addition there is a separate 15 minute tutorial at the beginning of the exam and a separate 15 minute survey following the exam.
The certification exam is available only in English and all references used to develop it are US based and reflective of US clinical practice.
Upon passing the certification exam, candidates are Vascular Access-Board Certified™ (VA-BC™) for three years, at which point they qualify for renewal. Read more about the difference between certifications like the VA-BC™ and certificate programs.
It is offered each year during the entire month of June and the entire month of December.
Registration begins in March for June test takers and in September for December test takers. Find a breakdown of our deadlines and fees here.
We currently offer two testing environments for the VA-BC™ Exam:
- Test Centers — recommended, if possible
- in numerous locations across the U.S. and Canada, with varied international sites.
- ProProctor Remotely-Proctored Exams — you’ll need:
- To pass this system check on your computer prior to scheduling your appointment.
- A secure internet connection to take the exam.
- A secure testing location where you will not be interrupted during the exam by coworkers, family, or pets.
- We recommend you schedule your exam at a test center to provide a user-friendly experience and limit the possibility of testing issues or stress.
- International candidates (outside the U.S. and Canada) may have a testing site operating near them, or they may choose to use ProProctor.
Explore additional details and find a testing center near you with our testing company, Prometric.
- Review our eligibility requirements to determine if the VA-BC™ is right for you.
- Refer to the Candidate Handbook for complete information about the exam.
- The exam questions (items) are based the content outline or blueprint. It details the topics that fall in the scope of the VA-BC™ credential, and you can use it to guide your studying. The VA-BC™ exam test specifications (Blueprint) are based on a Role Delineation Study, also known as a Job Task Analysis. This type of study is done every 4-5 years to assure that the examination content remains relevant and current to the specialty. The present examination Test Specification is based on a Job Analysis done on 2020.
If you’re eligible, apply to sit for the exam online when applications open — it takes around 5-10 minutes to complete the application.
Join our email list to know when applications open and when you can get discounted rates.
Benefit breakdown of the VA-BC™:
For clinicians:
- Personal and professional satisfaction
- Recognition from other healthcare professionals and peers
- Enhances professional reputation
- Demonstrates a high level of commitment to the field of vascular access
- Validates skills and knowledge
For patients:
- Increases confidence in service providers
- Meets the public demand for safety and standards
- Ensures caregivers with validated experience
- May increase patient satisfaction
For employers:
- Improved customer satisfaction
- Increased safety and competence in providing vascular access services
- Helps to recruit and maintain qualified professionals
- Provides professional development opportunities
- Demonstrates your commitment to competence
Watch an overview of the testing process and get answers to the most common questions about the VA-BC™ exam in this video with VACC staff and former President Dr. J. Hudson Garrett Jr., PhD, MSN, MPH, FNP-BC, CSRN, PLNC, CDONA, FACDONA, VA-BC™.