PNCB's Annual Recertification Programs

The purpose of the PNCB's recertification program is to document continued growth in nursing knowledge for the PNCB-certified registered nurse. An RN or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) passing the CPN, CPNP-PC, or CPNP-AC exam demonstrates to the public that they have, at the time of initial successful certification exam completion, met national standards for their certification. To meet professional standards, all certification programs in any discipline or professional practice area should require a renewal or recertification process to document that certificants are staying up to date in their certified role. The PNCB requires that each of its certified nurses annually document completion of continuing education, clinical practice, academic or other professional learning activities to assure that they are enhancing their nursing knowledge. As all 50 states and US territories require registered nurses to renew their RN licenses at 1, 2, or 3 year intervals (state determined), the PNCB's annual Recertification requirement helps the nurse to not only enhance the respective knowledge associated with their earned certification, but also assists the nurse to meet requirements in compliance with state regulatory (RN licensure) guidelines and professional expectations.

Technology, treatment strategies, and groundbreaking studies can rapidly change practice in healthcare and nursing and this becomes an issue for public safety. These reasons also support the PNCB's policy to require annual recertification for CPNs, CPNP-PCs, and CPNP-ACs. Annual recertification offers assurance to the public that these certificants are meeting stringent requirements for continued competency to update their knowledge and show commitment to lifelong learning.

How does annual recertification benefit certificants and the public?

• Annual recertification reassures employers that their PNCB-certified nursing staff are actively involved in strategies to grow knowledge and competency every year.
• Annual recertification requires all certificants to update their contact information with the PNCB. Current certificant contact information is crucial in the event that a member of the public needs to file an ethics policy complaint.
• Annual recertification reduces the certificant's burden of record keeping for continuing education activities that are used to document compliance with recertification requirements. The cost of annual recertification is not a financial barrier as it does not exceed the average cost per year when compared to certification organizations that have a longer time interval (4 to 5 years) between required recertification.
• Annual recertification also fosters a stronger relationship between certificants and the professional nursing community. Communication is enhanced, as certificants are engaged in annual activities associated with strong professional growth.

The PNCB is proud of its annual recertification program as it represents a program of participation in continuing education strategies that require the nurse to update her knowledge and demonstrate current involvement in professional learning activities.