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Benefits of RAC-CT Certification for MDS Nurses

Written by LS Admin | Dec 03, 2024

In long-term care, Resident Assessment Coordinator-Certified (RAC-CT®) certification is the distinguishing characteristic of an expert in resident assessment and MDS nurse education. A RAC-CT certification is commonly referred to as the "gold standard" for quality measures in skilled nursing facilities.

RAC-CT workshops are offered via the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing, or AAPACN. And as MDS nurses are searching for their next career opportunity in 2025, earning this certification is a great way to stand out from the crowd and get the attention of hiring managers.







Read on for everything nurses should know about how to earn a RAC-CT certification.

How can I earn my RAC-CT certification?
RAC-CT workshops are available via AAPCN on a regular basis, both in-person and virtually. View a comprehensive list of upcoming RAC-CT courses n the Live Workshops page. Workshop dates can range from three to five days, depending on the Master Teacher (MT).

LeaderStat is hosting four virtual RAC-CT workshops in 2025. These workshops will be hosted by Scott Heichel, RAC-MT and Director of Clinical Reimbursement at LeaderStat. 



To earn the RAC-CT certification, workshop attendees must complete all certification exams with a score of 80% or higher. Individuals have three exam attempts, per course, to pass.

What are the requirements to take a RAC-CT workshop?
To register for a course, individuals are required to have at least six months of experience with the the RAI process and MDS 3.0. 

For nurses that are new to their MDS role, AAPACN offers an MDS Essential course that is specifically designed for those with less than six month of experience. This 10-session education program is virtual and helps attendees perform essential job duties of a Nurse Assessment Coordinator (NAC).

RAC-CT Curriculum 
AAPACN's RAC-CT certification program consists of 10 education courses designed for long-term care professionals with at least six months of experience with the MDS/RAI process. Most often, attendees are Registered Nurses (RNs) or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who are currently working in an MDS role.

Attendees earn 22.5 continuing education (CE) credits and will have access to the following self-study courses:

  • MDS 3.0 Coding for OBRA and PPS
  • ICD-10 CM Coding for Long-Term Care
  • OBRA Timing and Scheduling for the MDS 3.0
  • Intro to Medicare Part A
  • Quality Measures
  • The Five-Star Quality Rating System
  • Care Planning & Care Area Assessments
Benefits of having the RAC-CT credential
MDS Coordinators who further their education by earning their RAC-CT will learn how about coding and regulatory knowledge, understand how to navigate and troubleshoot coding dilemmas, avoid overpayment and recover clinical reimbursement, identify issues reflected in Quality Measure and Five Star reports, and much more. Earning this credential is a way for long-term care professionals to gain confidence in their position and to be seen as trusted subject matter experts on clinical assessment and resident care planning.

AAPACN's Value of Certification research page shows that skilled nursing facilities with a RAC-CT staff member have a 16% higher overall Five-Star rating than facilities without a RAC-CT staff member.

What is the cost?
For AAPACN members, a RAC-CT workshop cost is $732. For non-members, $938. Course materials may have additional costs.

Does a RAC-CT certification expire?
Yes. As with many nursing certifications, RAC-CT recertification is required every two years. AAPACN offers on-demand RAC-CT Recertification programs.

Helpful resources from AAPACN
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