The Pediatric Pharmacology Self-Assessment Exercise for CPNP-AC® Recertification

The 2007-2008 Pediatric Pharmacology SAE is a self-paced learning activity for independent study developed in response to requests from CPNPs® who are required by state law to have pharmacology continuing education credits. This unique SAE is written by CPNPs®, pediatricians and pharmacologists and follows a comprehensive Pediatric Pharmacology SAE Curriculum. The Pharmacology SAE may help you meet requirements for prescriptive privileges in your state.

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:

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:

SAE Requirements for the CPNP-AC® 7-Year Cycle

Two Acute Care SAEs

Your choice of an Acute Care, Primary Care, or Pharmacology SAE

What's included?

CPNPs® choosing the Pediatric Pharmacology SAE will receive:

A content outline and bibliography.
A test booklet of approximately 100 multiple choice questions.
An answer sheet to return for scoring.
The latest edition of Lexi-Comp's Pediatric Dosage Handbook.

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. See "What If I Don't Pass? below for full details.

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 late December.
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 Pharmacology 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 Pharmacology SAE. A certificate of continuing education is mailed along with an Item Performance Report (IPR) and Critique/Answer Booklet in July, after scoring of the answer sheet.

What if I don't pass?

CPNPs® who fail to achieve a passing SAE score (70%) will be given an additional opportunity to retake the test items in which you were not successful. Following the guidelines listed below will help to assure your completion of the SAE requirement:

In order to fulfill the SAE Recertification Program requirement you must redo the items answered incorrectly and pass with a minimum score of 70%. These items are noted on your Individual Performance Report, included in your July score packet.
If you do not achieve the minimum score, you are given an additional opportunity to successfully complete your SAE option, and you will be mailed instructions about a short online retest of twenty questions.
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. Please note that Acute Care CPNPs may choose a Primary Care or Pharmacology SAE as one of their SAE requirements in a seven-year cycle. Dually certified CPNPs (those who hold both Acute Care and Primary Care certifications) must complete 1 Primary, 1 Pharmacology, and 2 Acute Care SAEs.