Acute Care CPNP Exam Schedule Updates & Resources
Special testing windows remain in effect for the CPNP-AC exam now through December 2023. Scroll down to see current and future testing window information. Please contact PNCB at exam@pncb.org with any questions.
Candidate Information
Available testing windows and eligibility notification for current CPNP-AC exam candidates: Candidates with completed applications will be emailed an eligibility notification with next steps in scheduling their exam. CPNP-AC exam candidates may test one time only during each testing window.
Results notification update: For each of these windows (unless otherwise *noted), preliminary unofficial results will be available onscreen at the testing center (with no printout). Official results will be emailed within 2-3 weeks.
Application deadline note: A complete application includes our online form with payment and final official transcript. Transcript not final? The 30-day transcript exception policies are still in effect.
| Testing Window Start & End Dates | Deadline for Complete Application |
|---|---|
February 15, 2023 through April 15, 2023 |
Apply December 8 through 5pm ET on March 31, 2023 |
June 15, 2023 through July 6, 2023* Preliminary unofficial results will not be available at the testing center. Scores will be held for a validation process, and PNCB anticipates releasing exam results by email within 8 weeks after the close of the window. |
Apply April 6 through 5pm ET on June 23, 2023 |
August 1, 2023 through November 22, 2023 |
Apply June 29 through 5pm ET on November 15, 2023 |
December 1, 2023
Year-round testing opportunities for the CPNP-AC Exam resume. Applications submitted November 16, 2023, and beyond will be reviewed and approved in the order received, including any applicable retest requirement, and processed with 90-day eligibility periods. Preliminary unofficial results will be available onscreen at the testing center (with no printout). Official results will be emailed within 2-3 weeks.
FAQs
For questions not addressed below, please contact exam@pncb.org.
A: “Transcript not final” exceptions are still bound by the official Board policy. If the final degree or certificate will be conferred within 30 days of graduation, then the student is not eligible for the “transcript not final” exception. See transcript not final policy infographic.
A: Each application will be reviewed for eligibility as quickly as possible. There will not be an expedited option.
A: The content outline/test blueprint is your #1 tool to start your study. It describes all subject areas covered by the exam and questions per category. PNCB certification exams are comprehensive tests, so be sure to study all areas of the content outline.
A: No, currently only 1 attempt is available per person per testing window. Year-round testing opportunities are planned to resume beginning December 2023. At that time, re-testing can occur according to the CPNP-AC Retesting Policy.
A: Please see the above for deadlines and note continuous testing opportunities are planned to resume beginning December 2023.
