The Primary Care Self-Assessment Exercise for CPNP-AC® Recertification

The Primary Care SAE is a self-paced, independent study tool profiling updated knowledge of PNP practice, clinical management and pharmacology. The SAE is developed by CPNPs®, pediatricians and pharmacologists following a comprehensive Primary Care SAE Curriculum.

Scroll down to learn all about this acclaimed learning tool to update your knowledge, and visit these quick links elsewhere on our site for even more details:

• Current & Future Topics
• Important Dates
• Fees
• SAE Updates

Is it required for Acute Care CPNPs®?

Yes...if you are dually-certified in both Primary Care and Acute Care. Dually-certified CPNPs® are required to complete one Primary Care SAE per 7-year cycle.

No...if you hold only Acute Care certification. But you may select this option as one of your SAE requirements during your 7-year Recert cycle:

What's included?

The Primary Care Self-Assessment Exercise (SAE) includes:

• Content outline and bibliography
• Over 100 multiple choice test questions
• Copies of the journal articles used as primary references for approximately 90% of the Primary Care SAE questions
• An answer sheet and return envelope

After you complete the SAE and send it back to us, we score it in June. Then in July, we mail those who pass a certificate for 18 hours of accredited continuing education (NAPNAP), an Individual Performance Report (IPR), plus a Critique/Answer booklet with rationale for all right and wrong answers. Those who did not pass will have an opportunity to re-take the answers they missed. Two of the 18 contact hours are pharmacology CE. See "What If I Don't Pass? below for full details on the re-take policy.

When do I get the SAE? When is it due?

When you select this option for Recertification, you're making a commitment to complete the SAE the following year. Here's how it works:

• You select an SAE option between October 1 to December 1.
• We mail your SAE in January of the following year.
• You'll have until May 15th to return your answer sheet to us.
• If you miss this due date, you may still return your answer sheet along with the appropriate late fee. See the SAE calendar for more details.
• We then score your answers and mail your scores and corresponding documents in July.

How do I pass?

Participants in the Primary Care SAE must return the answer sheet for scoring and receive a minimum score of 70% or more in order to meet the annual Recertification Program requirement.

Passing CPNPs® are awarded 18 contact hours (NAPNAP) for successful completion of the Primary Care SAE. Two of the 18 contact hours are pharmacology CE. A certificate of continuing education is mailed along with an Item Performance Report (IPR) and a Critique/Answer Booklet with explanations for all right and wrong answers in July, after scoring of the answer sheet.

What if I don't pass?

CPNPs®

August 1, 2008 - Online retest completion date

• CPNPs who fail to achieve a passing SAE score (70%) will be given an additional opportunity to to successfully complete your SAE option by taking a short online retest created from the current SAE. Following the guidelines listed below will help to assure your completion of the SAE requirement:

  • If you do not achieve the minimum score, you will be mailed instructions about a short online retest.
  • An additional $30 administrative fee for re-scoring will be required and must be paid online using the link sent in your mailed instructions.
  • The deadline to complete the SAE retest is August 1.
  • Upon successful completion of the retest, we will send the Critique/Answer booklet and a CE certificate awarding 18 NAPNAP contact hours.
  • If you fail to successfully complete this SAE requirement, your current Recertification Option will be changed to INACTIVE.