The Primary Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Exam

The primary care CPNP® 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 CPNP-PC® role is historic and represents the first nurse practitioner role developed in the United States. For more about this role, please read our CPNP® Role Delineation Study.

For a more detailed look at this role, click here.

For the distinction between this and the acute care role, click here.

All PNCB exams are approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Veterans can now be reimbursed for the cost of their certification examination. For more information, call 1-888-GI Bill (442-4551) or visit the VA Web site at www.gibill.va.gov.

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

To Apply for the Exam:

Please be sure to review our links to the left, including our CPNP-PC Exam Tips, then select from the links below. The PNCB requires a completed application with payment as the first step in applying to take the Exam. We will be unable to match your supporting documentation without the receipt of application and payment.

Application for Computer-Based Exam

To print out and complete a paper application for the above, visit our Forms page.

To Re-Apply for the Exam:

Use our online Re-application for the Exam if you paid for the exam within the past 24 months and have taken the exam unsuccessfully within the past 12 months. If you have exceeded this timeframe, you will need to apply for an initial exam above.

To Apply for an Extension:

If you are unable to test during your assigned 90-day testing window, use our Application for 90-Day Extension and follow the procedures below:

Extension of a 90-day testing period is a one-time only option. The new testing period begins once your application for an extension is processed and does not grant you 180 days to take the exam.

The extension can be made ONLY if your testing period HAS NOT expired.

Step 1: If you have already scheduled a testing date and time, it is your responsibility to cancel your appointment with AMP per their cancellation schedule (2 full business days before scheduled exam).

Step 2: On receipt of request and fee, the PNCB will notify you of your newly assigned 90-day testing period. You may then schedule your new testing appointment with AMP.