Frequently Asked Questions

1. I graduated from a PNCB Recognized Program. When may I apply to take the exam?
2. How do I distinguish between the Acute Care role and the Primary Care role?
3. Do I need a master's in nursing to take the CPNP™ Exam?
4. My educational preparation is as a family nurse practitioner. May I take the CPNP® Exam?
5. If my university isn't a PNCB Recognized Program, how can it be approved?
6. How do I study for the Exam? Can you recommend a particular review course or book?
7. May I mail my transcript personally?
8. What transcript(s) are required to apply for the exam?
9. What if my name has changed since I graduated?
10. What is the registration process for year-round testing?
11. How long does it take to determine exam eligibility?
12. Do I need computer knowledge to take the exam?
13. How long is the exam?
14. When will I receive my exam results?
15. What must I do to have a verification of my certification sent to my employer or state board of nursing?
16. Will I be able to take the exam at the time and place I want or need?
17. I have a disability-related need and may require special accommodations to take the exam. What do I do?
18.If I take the exam and am unsuccessful, may I take the exam again? If so, how long must I wait in order to re-exam?
19. If I successfully complete the exam, what are the requirements to maintain national certification?
20. What if I am unable to take the exam once I have applied?
21. May I extend or have my 90-day testing period reassigned?
22. What if I do not show up to take the exam at my assigned date and time?
23. Once my exam is scheduled with AMP, may I reschedule within my 90-day testing period?
24.What circumstances would cause me to forfeit the exam fee?
25. I've lost my lapel pin. How do I get another?
26. I would like a duplicate wall certificate. Can you mail me one?
27.

1. I graduated from a PNCB Recognized Program. When may I apply to take the certification exam?
Candidates graduating after December 31, 1997 will have 24 months after the completion of their program to apply and take the exam using Pathway I eligibility.

Candidates graduating before December 31, 1997, may apply to take the certification exam for PNPs at any time using Pathway II eligibility. Additional documentation of practice skills verification is required.

2. How do I distinguish between the Acute Care role and the Primary Care role?
The PNCB's role delineation research regarding the acute care PNP role determined that there was indeed shared content between primary care and acute care pediatric nurse practitioners. This shared content centers around knowledge and skills associated with well child growth and development and chronic care issues. The essential focus of care for the Acute Care PNP is restorative care. Acute Care CPNPs respond to rapidly changing clinical conditions, including the recognition and management of emerging health crises, organ dysfunction and failure. The descriptions below should assist you to determine if your practice includes a majority focus on the primary care or the acute care needs of the child and their family.

Acute Care PNP
The CPNP acute care role is designed to meet the specialized physiological and psychological needs of children with complex acute and chronic health conditions. CPNP-AC's respond to rapidly changing clinical conditions, including the recognition and management of emerging health crises, organ dysfunction and failure. In accordance with this practice focus, CPNP-AC role activities encompass a wide range of NP practice strategies including contributions to the management of children's illness/health states, the client nurse relationship, the teaching - coaching function, the professional role, managing and negotiating health care delivery systems, monitoring and ensuring quality of health care practice, providing family-centered care, and demonstrating cultural competency. The short-term goal of care is stabilization of the child, minimizing complications and providing physical and psychological care measures. The long term goal of care is to restore maximal health potential through implementation of NP strategies to reduce health risks. The continuum of care spans the geographical settings including but not limited to emergency departments, hospitals, subspecialty clinics and intensive care units.

Primary Care PNP
The CPNP primary care role is designed to meet the specialized physiologic and psychological needs of children in the areas of health maintenance and promotion and management of disease process. The CPNP-PC provides wellness management of children and their families incorporating competencies related to health promotion, protection, disease prevention and the treatment focus of pediatric nurse practitioner practice to maximize wellness and assist children and families in the prevention and management of common pediatric acute and chronic conditions. The goal of care is to achieve optimum quality of life and/or prevent a condition or illness from occurring. Activities of the Primary Care PNP in this role include conducting wellness-focused history and physical examination, ordering, performing and interpreting age-appropriate screening test; prescribing vaccines and medications; and developing a wellness management plan. In the role of health maintenance and management, the primary care PNP diagnoses and manages common pediatric problems of pathophysiological and pathopsychological origins. The CPNP-PC prescribes a comprehensive therapeutic treatment plan including pharmacological strategies, patient and family education and admission to the emergency room or hospital. The functions of the primary care PNP are conducted through clinical practice, teaching, consultation and/or referrals. The PNP-PC role contributes to the well being of children and families through the client-nurse relationship, teaching coaching function, professional role, managing and negotiating health care delivery systems, monitoring and ensuring the quality of health care practice, providing family centered care and demonstrating cultural competency. The CPNP-PC practices in a variety of health care settings including, but not limited to, the home, ambulatory and school based clinics, private practice and subspecialty clinics.

3. Do I need a master's in nursing to take the pediatric nurse practitioner certification exam?

As of 1992, all candidates must have a master's degree in nursing. Call our office if you have any questions regarding this requirement.

4. My educational preparation is as a family nurse practitioner. May I take the pediatric nurse practitioner certification exam?

No, not unless you can document additional academic PNP education such as a post master's PNP certificate. If you are interested, please contact the program director of a recognized PNP program to discuss a post master's certificate or additional academic preparation. Your educational program does not include curriculum or pediatric clinical hours to equal that of a PNP Program.

5. If my university is not on the listing of PNCB Recognized Programs preparing PNPs, how can it be approved?

Have your program director call the Executive Director of the PNCB for specific information. The PNCB provides ongoing review of graduate PNP programs throughout the year.

6. How do I study for the Exam? Can you recommend a particular review course or book?

The PNCB cannot endorse a particular text or review course, but visit our Resources Page for possible suggestions and a list of questions to consider when selecting courses or books. The PNCB now offers a learning activity called PEDs Exam Prep that can help you become familiar with the presentation and structure of actual CPNP Exam questions. Users also earn continuing education hours upon completion of this unique practice testing tool.

7. May I mail my transcript personally?

No. All transcripts must be mailed directly from the Registrar's office of the educational institution to the PNCB.

8. What transcript(s) does the PNCB require for pediatric nurse practitioner registration?

An official MSN transcript, which includes the seal and evidence of PNP curriculum completed from the master's program or post master's program only (if applicable) is required.

9. What if my name has changed since I graduated?

Legal documentation of name change is needed if the name on the application is different from the name on the transcript. Legal documentation includes a copy of the marriage certificate or divorce decree. It may be mailed or faxed (1-301-330-1504) to our office. Name change issues must also be resolved before testing time.

10. What is the registration process for year-round testing?

Once the candidate receives notification of eligibility, an appointment may be made to sit for the exam. The "letter of eligibility" will indicate the candidate's assigned 90-day testing period which is assigned as each candidate's eligibility record is established with AMP. Specific instructions will be provided detailing the process of scheduling a testing time within the 90-day eligibility period.

11. How long does it take to determine eligibility in order to sit for the exam?

Once the PNCB receives all documentation (application, fees, transcript(s) and documentation of PNP education form) a letter of eligibility will be mailed to you. Determination of eligibility will be completed in a timely manner following receipt of all required materials. A verification of eligibility to sit will be sent, if requested.

12. Do I need computer knowledge to take the certification exam?

No. Computer knowledge is not required to take a computer-based exam at AMP. Before the exam begins, a customized introductory lesson is provided that explains the procedure used to select an answer and move from question to question. This introductory lesson does not reduce your assigned testing time.

13. How long is the exam?

The exam includes 200 multiple-choice questions. Total testing time is 3 hours and 30 minutes.

14. When will I receive my exam results?

Exam results are received immediately after taking the exam. No results are given over the telephone or Internet.

15. What must I do to have a verification of my certification sent to my employer or state board of nursing?

The PNCB will send a Verification of Certification (PDF) to your state board of nursing or employer when requested, following its policies and procedures. Click here for details.

16. Will I be able to take the exam at the time and place I want or need?

Probably. However, in order to obtain a desired time and place within your testing period, an appointment must be made as soon as possible. Many other groups use AMP for testing. Waiting to make your appointment may jeopardize your scheduling needs.

17. I have a disability-related need and may require special accommodations to take the exam. What do I do?

In order to facilitate disability-related needs, we work with AMP to arrange specific accommodations. Indicate your need for special accommodations when you register for the exam.

18.If I take the exam and am unsuccessful, may I take the exam again? If so, how long must I wait in order to re-exam?

Unsuccessful candidates may repeat the certification exam provided they meet the PNCB's eligibility criteria at the time the apply for reexamination. An eligible candidate may take the exam 3 times before validation of further training, education, or review is required. Application for reexamination my be made immediately following notification of unsuccessful exam results. A completed application form (either online or paper) and payment of re-exam fees are needed to reapply. No other documentation is needed.

19. If I successfully complete the exam, what are the requirements to maintain national certification?

Each CPNP is required to begin the first of successive 7-year Recertification Program cycles the year following their initial certification. CPNPs maintain their certification annually through a variety of options. Visit our Primary Care CPNP Recertification page to find out more.

20. What if I am unable to take the exam once I have applied?

Candidates who are unable to take the exam must submit a written request for withdrawal from the exam to the PNCB. To receive a refund of the exam fee, the request must be received before the termination of the assigned 90-day testing period. The registration fee is nonrefundable under any circumstances. If the candidate has scheduled an exam time and date with AMP, the candidate must also cancel with AMP within the 4-business notice period.

21. May I extend or have my 90-day testing period reassigned?

Yes, one time only. An email request for exam extension or reassignment must be received by the PNCB office five business days before the end of the candidate's 90-day testing period. Please note that at no time will your testing period be more than 90 days. Once you apply for the extension, your 90-day testing window will begin according to the day your request for an extension is approved. Many people incorrectly interpret this to mean that applying for an extension grants them 180 days.

An additional registration fee is required for an extension or reassignment. No fees will be refunded if a candidate fails to test within the assigned 90-day testing period. Candidates must cancel any scheduled testing time and date with with AMP with two business days' notice.

22. What if I do not show up to take the exam at my assigned date and time?

Candidates will forfeit all registration and exam fees if failure to cancel or re-reschedule an exam results in a "no show" recording with AMP. No fees will be refunded if a candidate fails to test within an assigned 90-day period. If candidates have already scheduled an appointment and either withdraw or request an extension of the testing period, it is their responsibility to cancel and/or reschedule their AMP testing appointment with AMP. Failure to cancel an assigned appointment with AMP within the appropriate 4-business day notice period will cause forfeiture of all exam and registration fees.

23. Once my exam is scheduled with AMP, may I reschedule within my 90-day testing period?

Yes, one time only. Candidates my cancel and reschedule their exam time and date within their 90-day testing period. Instructions for cancellation and rescheduling are provided by AMP. However, failure to cancel an appointment within the appropriate AMP 4-business day notice period will cause forfeiture of all exam and registration fees.

24.What circumstances would cause me to forfeit the exam fee?

The registration fee is nonrefundable under any circumstances. The exam fee will not be refunded if a candidate fails to test within the assigned 90-day testing period, or if a candidate fails to cancel and reschedule an assigned appointment with AMP within the appropriate 4-business day notice period, or if a candidate fails to submit a written request to the PNCB for withdrawal, extension, or reassignment before the termination of the 90-day testing period.

25. I've lost my CPNP® lapel pin. How do I get another?
Simiply email us and we'll be glad to send out a replacement.

26. I would like a duplicate CPNP® wall certificate. Can you mail me one?
We'll be glad to send you another copy. Click here to order a duplicate.