An approach is provided for certifying wireless access nodes for use in connection with emergency calls. A certification platform certifies location information of a wireless access node as part of an emergency response service for packetized voice calls. The location information is then stored in a database that includes a plurality of certified location information of a respective plurality of wireless access nodes including the activated wireless access node. The database is accessed in response to an emergency call to assist with determination of position information of wireless devices based on location information of the wireless access node that detects presence of the wireless device.