Your Guide to
®
CPEN Certification
Why Certify?
Nurses seek certification for
different reasons:
 Professional development
 Career advancement
 Patient outcomes
 Public accountability
Your Benefits
 Recognition from colleagues
 Personal accomplishment
 Increased confidence in clinical skills
 Increased job satisfaction
 An edge on career advancement
Professional Benefits
 Special recognition





Peers
Nurses Week, Certified Nurses Day
Patients/families
Credential on name badges
Opt-in to BCEN® Registry for public listing
Professional Benefits
 Potential for career/financial rewards



Bonuses
Salary differential
Send proof of your credential to your current
employer, or to potential employers, using
BCEN’s online Publish Credential service
Professional Benefits


Proof of professional growth

Meets a national standard for specialized knowledge
Certified RNs = quality indicator for Magnet®

CPENs are Category N for Magnet application
“Nurses who are nationally certified carry a body of knowledge that
directly impacts patient outcomes. Patient outcomes are a large part of
advancing on the clinical ladder.”
- Debbie White, MSN, MSA, RN, ACNS-BC, NEA-BC
Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer
Saint Luke's Hospital, Kansas City, MO
From State of Nursing Salaries: 2011
Patient Benefits
 Increases consumer confidence
 Promotes accountability
 Increases awareness of nursing
certification
“Nearly 8 out of 10 people surveyed in 2002 were
aware that nurses could be certified in a specialty
area—in fact, more aware of nurse certification
than teacher or physician certification.”
Harris Interactive, Inc. American Association of Critical Care Nurses Survey. November
2002.
What is the CPEN Exam?

Exam developed jointly by PNCB and
BCEN

Tests knowledge and skills of RNs who
provide urgent and emergent nursing
care to pediatric patients



Experience-based
Not limited to peds-only or ED-only RNs
Content reviewed and updated, if needed,
every 4 to 5 years
Who is BCEN ?
®
Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing


Established in 1979

Develops robust certification exams
fostering empowered nurses across the
emergency spectrum, who contribute
noticeably to patient care, safety, and
outcomes
Largest certification board for emergency
nursing professionals
Who is PNCB?
Pediatric Nursing Certification Board

Established in 1975 by the American
Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the
National Association of Pediatric Nurse
Practitioners (NAPNAP)

Largest certification board for nursing
professionals who care for pediatric
populations

Strengthening care for children is at the
heart of everything PNCB does
CPEN Exam Eligibility
Recommended
 2 years of full-time practice in pediatric emergency nursing care
 Direct care, health care facilitation, education, and advocacy for
pediatric emergency patients and their families
Required
 1,000 hours in pediatric emergency nursing practice as an RN
in the past 24 months
 A current, active, unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or Canada
Eligibility Examples

Full-time employment as an emergency nurse in a pediatric
emergency setting for 6 months, or

Full-time employment as an emergency nurse in a mixedage emergency setting for 2 years with a population of
approximately 20% pediatric patients, or

Part-time employment as an emergency nurse in a pediatric
emergency setting, for example, 20 hours per week for 1
year, or

Any other combination of practice involving direct care,
health care facilitation, education, and advocacy for
pediatric patients and their families for a total of 1,000 hours
in the past 24 months.
Eligibility FAQs
Q:
Do I need a BSN to take the exam?
A:
No. You can hold a diploma, associate’s degree,
bachelor’s, or master’s degree in nursing.
Q:
If I have 1,000 hours of experience before I reach
the 24-month point, do I have to wait to apply?
A:
No. This timeframe just makes sure the
experience is recent.
Q:
What counts for clinical practice hours?
A:
Providing direct care, health care facilitation,
education, and advocacy for patients and
families.
1
Exam Content Outline
2
CPEN Reference List
3
CPEN Exam Prep
4
Test-taking Strategies Modules
CPEN Content Outline

Consists of six major content areas:
1. Triage process
2. Assessment
3. Technical skills
4. Medical conditions
5. Surgical/Trauma emergencies/Procedural sedation
6. Special considerations

Lists percentage of questions in each subject
matter area

Access the detailed content outline here
CPEN Exam


175 multiple-choice questions

Goal is to determine one best answer among
choices

For current pass rates, visit the BCEN website
or the PNCB website.
Tests your ability to apply knowledge and
think critically
Reference List


A list of respected texts

Not inclusive of all resources that
could be used

Access the reference list here
Consider using one textbook with
which you’re familiar
What texts are available where you work?
Are funds available to create a study library?
CPEN Prep Exam
Optional online practice test developed
by BCEN and PNCB




50 questions
Shows how questions are presented
Includes the rationale for answers
Score report can show weak areas and
help you focus your studies
Not a study or review course.
See the prep exam webpage for current pricing.
Test-taking Strategies Module
Optional online learning activity
developed by PNCB


Exam preparation tips

Techniques to manage test anxiety
Strategies for answering multiplechoice exam questions
Not a study or review course.
See PNCB’s website for current pricing.
Preparation FAQs
Q:
A:
Do I have to take a review course?
No, BCEN and PNCB do not require that you take a
review course. We can’t endorse a review course,
but BCEN lists classes as a courtesy here.
Q:
Does PNCB or BCEN offer a review book or
course?
No. Doing so would be a conflict of interest,
especially if a candidate failed the exam after
paying for a PNCB or BCEN review.
A:
Q:
A:
Can BCEN or PNCB recommend the best text?
We can’t endorse specific texts or review courses,
but we recommend using one pediatric emergency
nursing textbook with which you’re familiar.
Tip!
Know colleagues
who recently
passed? Ask
what texts or
other resources
they found most
helpful.
1
Apply Online with AMP
2
Schedule Exam with AMP
3
Take the Exam at AMP
How do I apply?
Allow 15 minutes to complete the online
application. Have your RN license info handy.

Go to the Applied Measurement
Professionals (AMP) website.



Click “Candidates.”

Select category, program, and exam.
Enter requested information.



Basic info about you
RN licensure
Education and employment
Pay the exam fee.
Tip!
You will need to take
your exam within 90
days of applying.
Be sure you’re ready
to schedule your test
within that timeframe
when you submit the
application.
Eligibility Notification
This is your green light to schedule your exam!

You can set your exam date, time, and location at
the time of application or

Schedule your test after AMP notifies you by email
and postcard that your application is approved

Check your spam/junk folder for this important email.
Important timing information:
You receive a 90-day testing window soon after
applying:

You must schedule your test date and sit for the exam
during that timeframe.
Scheduling Your Exam

Soon after eligibility notification, visit
Applied Measurement Professionals
online to schedule your testing day
and time.

Changing or cancelling test dates is
managed by AMP.

A 90-day extension is available from
AMP for a fee.
Tip!
Even before you
apply, find the closest
testing center to you
at AMP’s website.
Test Administration

You will test at a proctored AMP Testing
Center.





More than 200 locations across the U.S.
3 hours testing time
175 multiple-choice questions
You’ll be offered a tutorial on using
the computer.
Pass/fail status received before leaving
the center (official mailed results within 3
weeks)
What to Expect
Watch a 5-minute video about scheduling and
testing with Applied Measurement Professionals:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYUFF-Sux28
Test Administration Tips


Arrive at least 30 minutes early.

Download your Candidate Handbook
for explanations of all policies,
including what can and cannot be
brought in with you.

You are allowed to take breaks, but
they count as part of your testing
time.
Bring the 2 required, unexpired IDs
matching your name on your
application.
Testing FAQs
Q:
Is the CPEN exam like the NCLEX?
A:
While there are similarities (e.g., testing on a computer in a
secure, proctored environment), there are also differences.
The CPEN exam asks only multiple-choice questions, while
NCLEX contains alternate item formats (fill in the blanks,
hot spot items, etc.). With the CPEN exam, you can also
return to questions and change an answer before final
submission.
The CPEN exam does not use adaptive testing, which can
vary the number of questions a candidate sees, and ends
when competence is determined. The CPEN exam does not
end until 3 hours are up, or unless you submit answers
before that time limit.
More Testing FAQs
Q:
Is there a penalty for incorrect answers?
A:
No, so it is better to answer every item rather than
skip any items.
Q:
How is the exam scored?
A:
The number of questions that must be answered
correctly to pass is decided by a psychometrician
and an expert panel of CPENs. Each question is
evaluated for difficulty. Each test form is analyzed for
the passing cut point. Your ability to pass the
examination depends on the knowledge and skill you
display, not on the performance of other candidates.
After the Exam
Candidates who pass
 Receive pass packet by mail in 3 weeks
 Celebrate your achievement!
 Wear your lapel pin
 Frame your certificate
 Let your leadership know
 Use BCEN’s online Publish Credential service
Opt-in to BCEN’s online Public Registry
 Ask CPEN to be added to your name badge
 Get familiar with the recertification process

Candidates who are unsuccessful
Score report mailed in 2-3 weeks
 Reduced fee to retest
 90-day waiting period to retest

Celebrate & Recognize!
Visit the PNCB or BCEN websites for…





T-shirts
Badge appliques
Plaques
Download a sample press release
Print out a Wall of Distinction poster
Maintaining Certification
All certification boards require a
renewal process.
CPEN recertification documents that
you’re keeping practice and knowledge
current.
CPENs recertify every 4 years.


The testing company (AMP) will contact
you with reminders.
Learn what counts for your
recertification here.
Questions?
Visit our websites or contact us for assistance:
AMP
online.goamp.com
888-519-9901
BCEN
www.BCENcertifications.org
877-302-BCEN
PNCB
www.pncb-cpen.org
888-641-2767
?
Free Resources



Unit meetings?
Skills fairs?
Certified Nurses Day or
Nurses Week events?
Order free materials here
Thank you!
BCEN and PNCB thank you for the
difference you make for children in
your ED.
We wish you much success in your
future professional development!