GERO-BC Exam Information and Outline
Gerontological Nursing Certification
GERO-BC Exam Syllabus & Study Guide
Before you start practicing with our exam simulator, it is essential to understand the
official GERO-BC exam objectives. This course outline serves as your roadmap.
The information below reflects the 2026 syllabus defined by
ANCC.
Below are complete topics detail with latest syllabus and course outline, that will help you good knowledge about exam objectives and topics that you have to prepare. These contents are covered in questions and answers pool of exam.
Exam Code: GERO-BC
Exam Name: Gerontological Nursing Certification
Total number of questions: 150 (125 scored + 25 unscored pretest items)
Time allotted: 3 hours
Passing (scaled) score: 350 (on a 500-point scale)
- Tools and techniques for physical examination and psychosocial assessment (eg- fall risk- depression screening- pressure injury risk)
- Social determinants of health
- Pharmacotherapy (eg- interactions- polypharmacy)
- Age- and disease-related factors that affect clinical findings
- Age-related physiological change identification (eg- sensory- neurological- circulatory)
- Risk factor identification (eg- cognitive impairment- non-adherence- buse and neglect)
- Evidence-based interventions and expected outcomes
- Treatment modality contraindications (eg- food- drug- herbal supplements)
- Unique medication needs of older adults (eg- dosage- route modification- Beers Criteria)
- Nursing diagnosis and problem list evaluation (eg- individual preferences- patient-centered care- condition prioritization)
- Safety interventions
- Therapeutic environment creation (eg- individual risk factors- milieu management)
- Care coordination across the continuum (eg- case management- transitions- resources- support systems)
- Theoretical frameworks (eg- coping- developmental- hierarchy of needs)
- Disease prevention within the individual- family- and community (eg- screenings- education)
- Self-management and health promotion strategies
- Principles of adult learning and communication (eg- preferences- barriers)
- Diversity- equity and inclusion- and social justice for subpopulations of older adults (eg- grand-families- behavioral health disorders- veterans- homeless)
- Legal and ethical considerations (eg- advance directives- advocacy- research- scope and standards of practice)
- Regulatory compliance and quality improvement (eg- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services- The Joint Commission)
- Technology- and data-driven care (eg- electronic health record- remote patient monitoring- telehealth- hospital from home model of care)