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Your Guide to
CPNP Certification
®
A PNCB Toolkit for Students and Faculty
© 2012, Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
About PNCB

Established in 1975 by AAP and NAPNAP

Largest independent certification board for
nursing professionals caring for pediatric
populations

Primary Care CPNP exam launched 1977

Acute Care CPNP exam launched 2005
PNCB Mission & Vision
Mission
PNCB provides the highest quality certification
services for nursing professionals who care for
pediatric populations.
Vision
Every child receives care from a PNCB certified
nursing professional.
Why PNCB?

Rigorous, respected exams

Strong Recertification programs

Focused solely on pediatrics

CPNPs are on staff and board of directors

Over 95% of your peers choose PNCB
Understanding…

Credentialing

Accreditation

Certification

Licensure
Credentialing Overview
Credentialing

Overarching term to mean formal recognition of
meeting a standard

Describes processes of licensure, professional
certification, education, and accreditation

Offers a way to document this recognition for
employers and the public
Accreditation Overview

Validates quality of credentials offered by an
organization, institution, business, etc.

Requires a renewal process to ensure on-going
quality of processes

Examples:

Hospitals are accredited by JCAHO

University nursing programs are accredited by CCNE
or NLNAC
What does this mean for you?
Accreditation means that:




Certification programs are vetted by a higher authority
Processes are validated against a rigorous industry standard
On-going, regular reviews are conducted by a third-party
Testing, scoring, and recertification requirements are
trustworthy
PNCB exams are accredited by the National Commission for
Certifying Agencies (NCCA).


NCCA was the first accreditation board to be recognized by the
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
PNCB was the first nursing certification board to earn NCCA
accreditation.
Certification: The process that…

Recognizes individuals for meeting predetermined standards, usually by exam

Validates your qualifications, knowledge, and
expertise in a defined clinical area in nursing

Awards you a specific credential

Allows you to apply for state board NP authority
to practice as required in 47 states

Renewing your certification is not the same as
renewing your state license
Licensure: The process that…

Grants you authority to engage in the practice of
a profession within your state

Authorizes you to use a particular title

Protects the public by requiring an entry level of
professional competence

Requires its own renewal process – renewing
your license is not the same as renewing your
certification
State Licensure Tips

After you pass the CPNP exam…

All states accept PNCB’s verification documentation.
Please do not submit your state’s forms to us after
passing the exam. The process is automatic.

PNCB documents each verification for you in your
online account as a PDF file. You can see the date it
was sent, and to whom it was sent for your state
board.

Please remember to update your PNCB record
immediately after your renew with your state board, or
if you change states.
More Licensure Tips
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing
has an in-depth state-by-state resource showing:

What your “authority to practice” is called in your state

Independent practice & prescribing

Titles and roles

http://www.ncsbn.org/2567.htm
Steps in Testing
1. Register to create an online account with PNCB
2. Complete the online application and submit payment
3. Arrange to have documentation sent
4. Await staff review
5. Receive eligibility notification
6. Schedule your appointment with a Prometric Testing
Center
7. Take your exam
Steps in Applying

Go to www.pncb.org
1.
Navigate to choose
your exam type
2.
Register at the site to
create online account if
you haven’t already
3.
Complete the online
form with payment
4.
Arrange for
documentation to be
sent
Tips

Create your online account before arranging
to have documentation sent. Applying lets
PNCB staff connect your documents with your
account faster.

Your name on your application must match
your official government identification.

Type your name with appropriate capitalization
so your PNCB documents (wallet card and
wall certificate) look professional.
What info will I provide?
You’ll answer brief questions about:
Contact information and demographics
 Education and employment
 Current RN license
 Attestation that the information is true

Tour the exam application
In the following slides, we show the Primary Care
CPNP exam form. Acute Care program
graduates use the AC version.
Getting started


Go to www.pncb.org
Choose Certify, then select your exam type:
Find the application



On your exam’s
application home page,
click the link to apply
If you have not already
created an online account,
you will be automatically
prompted to do so. The
application appears after
registration.
Creating an online
account is not the same
as applying for the exam.
Select your exam
Learn about optional resources
Enter Basic Information
Education & Employment
Employer

We also ask if you currently work in a hospital
Documentation Reminder

Next we remind you about required
documentation.

Update effective May 2012: Students will be contacted if a
Documentation of Education Form is needed. Students in programs
with up to date participation in PNCB’s Program Resources will not
need to submit this form.
Current Licensure

You can enter more than one license if needed.
Membership & Mailing List

Please note that third-party mailing list preference does
not include your free Pediatric Annals and Infectious
Diseases in Children subscriptions. This special benefit is
managed separately.
Attestation Statement

Simply type your name and confirm the
date after reading.
Enter Payment

Click the button
beside payment
type to open the
section to enter
details.
Confirm Order

You’ll have a chance to review your order and
click the Place Order button.

Emailed receipt arrives in minutes. Check your
spam box.

Once your application has been reviewed, your
exam status will be changed to “Awaiting
Information.”
Next Steps

After we receive your application, fees,
and required documentation, we review
all materials to determine eligibility
status within 2 weeks.

After this review, you are notified by the
PNCB via email and postcard informing
you of your assigned 90-day testing
period.

Once notified of eligibility, make your
appointment to sit for the exam with a
Prometric Testing Center near you.
Your 90-day Testing Window

Don’t delay in scheduling your
test appointment. Hundreds of
organizations use Prometric’s
services. Waiting to schedule
increases the risk not getting
your preferred day or time.
Extensions

Unable to test within your 90-day window? You
may purchase an extension. Visit www.pncb.org for
full policies regarding extensions.

You may purchase a non-refundable extension at
www.pncb.org.

The new testing period begins once your application for an
extension is processed and does not grant you a total of 180
days to take the exam.

You must apply for an extension 5 business days before
termination of the 90-day testing period.

If you have already scheduled a testing date and time, you
must cancel your appointment with Prometric per their
cancellation schedule.
Rescheduling / Cancellations

Managed by Prometric per their policies


Read and refer to your Candidate Testing Handbook.
If you need to reschedule/cancel, don’t wait.

Prometric charges a fee if you wait until 15 days
before your previously scheduled test date to make
changes.

Please show for your exam appointment. PNCB
is billed if you do not show, and you forfeit fees.

Remember to bring the required photo ID.
Documentation Checklist

Transcript(s)

Documentation of Education Form

Update effective May 2012: Students will be
contacted if this form is needed. Students in
programs with up to date participation in PNCB’s
Program Resources will not need to submit this
form.

Special Accommodations Form, if needed

Acute Care CPNP exam only: PALS card
Transcripts

Master’s, Post-Master’s, or DNP transcripts
must be final and show degree conferred.

Transcripts must be official.


Direct from your institution

Mailed, sealed, hard copy – no emails
Transcripts must be requested by you.
PNCB cannot request a transcript on your
behalf.
Documentation of Education Form

Reminder: Students will be
contacted if this form is needed.
Students in programs with up to date
participation in PNCB’s Program
Resources will not need to submit this
form.

Find this form online at PNCB. Your
program director may also have this
form on file.

You will complete the top part, then
ask your program director to complete
and sign.

Your program director will submit the
form to PNCB.
Other Forms


Special Accommodations Form

For disabilities covered by the Americans with
Disabilities Act

Confidential form will be completed by you and an
appropriate licensed professional

Must be faxed to PNCB the same day you apply
online. We need this documentation before we
export your information to Prometric.
Acute Care exam: PALS card

Fax a copy of both sides to 301-330-1504
Weekly Updates

Once a week after you apply, PNCB sends you an email about
documentation not yet received. If you feel documentation
should have arrived at PNCB when it actually has not, contact
your school for follow-up.

You can also check your status by logging in at www.pncb.org
then click My Application Status.
Essentials as You Prepare to Test

Review the exam content outline/test blueprint

Identify possible textbooks for reference

Create a study plan

Read the Prometric computer testing handbook

What ID will I need?

What can I bring with me?

How long is the exam? How many questions?

What are cancellation/rescheduling policies?
More Resources to Consider
PNCB online preparatory resources


Peds Exam Prep practice test

75 questions per module

Score report to indentify weak areas

In-depth rationale for answers
Test-taking Strategies Module

Strategies for answering multiple-choice questions

Techniques to manage anxiety
Please note that these are not review courses
.
Exam Pass Rates & Scoring


2012 Pass Rates

90% of Primary Care CPNP exam testers passed

81% of Acute Care CPNP exam testers passed
You need a scaled score of 400 to pass

A passing score is determined for each exam by a
standard setting committee who has analyzed
questions and weighted them for difficulty.

There are several forms of each exam and no
advantage to taking one form over another.
What if I don’t pass?

You will receive mailed Individual Score Report in 2-3
weeks plus a re-test tip sheet.

Use score report to identify weaknesses

In most instances, there is no waiting period and you can
re-apply after receiving your mailed results and you feel
ready to test again.

Reduced cost to re-apply

Can test 4 times in a 12-month period. Must meet
current exam eligibility criteria when re-applying.
What happens after I pass?


Pass packet (allow 2-3 weeks)

Individual Score Report

Lapel pin, wall certificate to promote your
achievement

Benefit details

Important information on the annual renewal process
called Recertification or “Recert”
Free verification to your state board(s)

Automatically sent from PNCB in 2-3 weeks
Important Recert Tips

Plan ahead for Recertification

Recert for your new certification starts the following
year

Recert will be annual, with an open enrollment
window between October 1 and January 31

Explore the PNCB website for policies and options

Options document completed activities – be
proactive in your planning

Log in to use My ReCErt Tracker to log completed
activities
Are you a CPN?

Some CPNPs choose to maintain their CPN
certification. PNCB merges your CPN and
CPNP Recert in a modified program to save
you time and money.

Contact PNCB for details about how this works.
How to list credentials
PNCB recommends to following order:

Highest nursing degree

Other non-nursing degrees (e.g., MBA)

Licensure

Certification in order received

Fellowships, awards, or honors
Examples of listing credentials
Terri Moore, MSN, RN, CPNP
Joan Smith, DNP, RN, CPNP-PC/AC
Joseph Garcia, MS, APRN, CPNP-PC, FAANP
Yu Xiao, PhD, APN, CPNP, CCRN

You can choose to add -PC or -AC to show
which specific credential you hold. Some CPNPs
simply use CPNP.
How CPNPs can list both AC & PC
Dually certified CPNPs (holding both Primary Care
and Acute Care) choose how to display using
these PNCB recommendations:

CPNP-AC/PC

CPNP-PC/AC

CPNP-AC, CPNP-PC

CPNP
Using DNP

Avoid redundancies:
 Lisa Lamar, DNP, RN, CPNP
 Dr. Lisa Lamar, DNP, RN, CPNP

Can DNPs identify themselves to as “Doctor” to
the public when they practice?

Contact your state board as they are the final
authority on this issue.
I have my first PNP job!
Congratulations! What happens now?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
 Consider seeking out a mentor as you learn
the ropes.
 Learn about coding protocols from your new
employer.

Connect with your peers

Consider joining a professional association.




Network locally with others in your role
Develop peer relationships
Discuss work-related issues
Find close-by CE opportunities and conferences
Become a leader

Think about leadership and precepting.


The overall PNP population is nearing retirement age.
The PNP profession needs leaders for the future on
local, state, and national levels.
Consider your personal role in the future of the PNP
profession and chart the course for the next
generations of graduates. Help the role thrive.
Mental Health Specialty
Certification

Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist
(PMHS) Certification

For advanced practice nurses who





provide early access to care for children and adolescents with
behavioral and mental health concerns.
are experienced in early identification and intervention for
these concerns typically seen in primary care.
assess, diagnose, and manage these concerns. When
needed, these providers also help patients and their families
manage these concerns until specialized care is available.
plays a role in collaboration and coordination of care with other
professionals in medical and educational settings.
Learn more at www.pncb.org
Other PNCB opportunities

Volunteer with PNCB!



Short-term assignments as needed to pilot test
surveys and modules on a variety of topics.
Feedback helps PNCB put the final polish on these
projects before sharing them with a larger audience.
Periodically, test item writers are needed. PNCB
provides the training and communicates via email
when these opportunities are available.
Questions?
For more about applying,
recertifying, or any other aspect
of CPNP certification, visit our
website at www.pncb.org or
email [email protected].
We’re here to help, and we wish
you much success in testing…
and in your new PNP career!