Certification: Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

9605 Medical Center Drive, Suite 250, Rockville, Maryland 20850

The Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) exam offers respected, accredited board certification since 1989 for RNs with experience in the pediatric specialty. CPN certification can open doors to advancement, increase confidence, and provide a personal sense of accomplishment. Recertification is annual.

You will need a current, valid, unrestricted, and unencumbered RN license plus a minimum of 1800 hours of pediatric clinical experience completed within the past 24 months. Examples of accepted experience are direct patient care, teaching, administration, clinical research, school-based care, home health care, or consultation in pediatric nursing. You may have a diploma, associate's, bachelor's, master's, or Doctorate in nursing.
More information about this certification

More than two years of education or training after high school required?
Yes
More than two years of work experience required?
Yes
Oral or Written Exam Required?
Yes
Renewal Required?
Every 1 Year(s)
Renew through Continuing Educational Units(CEU)?
Yes
Renew through Re-Examination?
No
Renew through Continuing Professional Development(CPD)?
Yes
Does applicant have choice of at least two options from above for renewal (CEU, CPD, or exam)?
Yes

Specialty

The certification corresponds to a specialty within a recognized occupation. For example, Oncology Nurse and Pediatric Nurse are specialties within the nursing field, so Certified Oncology Nurse and Certified Pediatric Nurse would be classified as specialty certifications.

  • This certification is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
  • This certification is related to military occupational specialties.