The Acute Care CPNP® Exam

About the Exam
Administration of the Acute Care CPNP® exam began in February 2005.

The purpose of the Acute Care CPNP® Exam is to measure the candidate's knowledge of pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) practice content as found in the Acute Care CPNP Exam Content Outline and to evaluate the candidate's ability to meet the specialized physiologic and psychological needs of children with complex acute and chronic health conditions, response to rapidly changing clinical conditions, including the recognition and management of emerging health crises, organ dysfunction and failure.

Acute Care CPNP® Exam content areas are those defined as essential to pediatric nursing practice by a national task force of pediatric nursing leaders and experts through comprehensive PNP Exam Role Delineation Analysis. The exam content also corresponds to the essential areas of pediatric nurse practitioner knowledge defined by the Association of Faculties of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs (AFPNP) and national PNP practice guidelines.

Eligibility
Two Pathways to Certification are available for individuals seeking Primary Care PNP certification through the PNCB. Pathways I and II link graduation from an Acute Care PNCB Recognized Graduate Program to certification as an Acute Care PNP. Explore Pathways>>

Exam Administration
Examinations are delivered by computer at over 280 Prometric Testing Centers geographically located throughout the United States. The "Apply Now" link at left will start the fast and secure online application.

Exam Preparation

• The PEDs Exam Prep: Acute Care is now available from the PNCB. This online practice exam can help you become familiar with the structure and presentation of actual CPNP® exam questions while earning contact hours upon successful completion.
• The Acute Care CPNP® Certification Reference List is available for use in studying for the CPNP® Exam but the PNCB does not endorse nor have any proprietary relationship with any of the texts or resources listed.

Verification of Certification
After a candidate passes the exam, verification of certification is shared with your state board of nursing at no cost. To provide verification for employers or other agencies, visit our verification page.

Maintaining Your Certification through Recertification
Beginning the year after initial certification, annual recertification through the PNCB's Recertification Program is required for all CPNPs in order to maintain national certification.

Doctorate of Nursing Practice
For questions about the DNP and certification, see the PNCB's statement on PNP Certification and the DNP and the NP Roundtable's DNP Education, Certification and Titling: A Unified Statement.

For more information about the exam, see the following links:

• Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner National Exam Content Outline (PDF).
• Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Competencies (PDF) published by NONPF.
• Questions Answered Regarding the Acute Care Exam
• Our Acute Care CPNP® Program meets the National Council of State Boards of Nursing's APRN criteria for certification programs. Click here to view this documentation.