Dually-Certified CPNPs® - Acute Care and Primary Care Certified

Certified in both Acute Care and Primary Care? Then you're in the right spot to find out about your Recert options.

Are you a Primary Care CPNP who added Acute Care certification in 2009? Then you'll enter the Dually-certified Recert Program starting October 1, 2010.

What happens to my past Recert activities? Once you enter the Dually-certified Recert Program, you begin a new 7-year cycle. This allows for tracking your new Dually-certified Recert requirements, which are different than what were required when you held only one CPNP certification.

Licensure is needed. You'll need to hold a current, valid license to practice as a registered nurse/APRN and remain in good standing with no current disciplinary action pending in any jurisdiction.

What's Required?

As a dually-certified CPNP®, you'll complete at least 4 Self-Assessment Exercises (SAEs) within each 7-year cycle. You'll decide when during each of your 7-year tracking cycles to complete the following requirements:

• 1 Primary Care SAE
• 1 Pharmacology SAE (primary-care focused)
• 2 Acute Care SAEs

Additional Options for Dual Certification:

You may choose to participate in an SAE option each Recertification year OR you may participate in one of the following Documentation Options for the remaining 3 years of your 7-year cycle:

• Record 10 continuing education contact hours. Contact hours must be earned within 24 months of the annual Recert enrollment deadline of February 1.
• Record a combination of 5 contact hours AND a minimum of 200 direct clinical practice hours earned within the past 12 months in an acute care or primary care setting.

Contact hours must include both primary care (50%) and acute care hours (50%).

• You may also choose the Inactive option, but be aware that only 1 year of inactivity is allowed within each 7-year cycle. More than 1 year of inactivity within a 7-year cycle will require the CPNP® to forfeit previous participation, and re-examination will be required to regain certification.

Visit our list of suggested contact hour agencies to learn more about CE documentation options.

*What is considered acceptable content for continuing education requirements for Dually-certified Recertification?

*Any educational programs which yield contact hours and follow the Primary Care or Acute Care Content Outlines are suitable for this requirement. Contact hours must include both primary care and acute care hours. Topics do not have to include the term "primary care" or "acute" in their titles. College courses that yield either credit or continuing education hours in the area of primary care or acute care PNP practice will also be accepted. Contact hours received for completing a PALS course will not be accepted, as PALS is a requirement to sit for the exam. Learn more>>

The Inactive option is not recommended but is included as a choice should you be faced with unusual circumstances that prevent you from completing an activity. Only 1 year of inactivity is allowed within each 7-year cycle. More than 1 year of inactivity within a 7-year cycle will require you to forfeit previous participation and you'll need to take the exam again to regain certification. Please note: You may take an inactive option only as a substitute for CE-related documentation options. Please be aware that to maintain certification you will need to complete any required SAEs within each 7-year cycle.