What is the purpose of the CPEN certification?

The CPEN certification validates the expertise of registered nurses in pediatric emergency care, demonstrating their specialized knowledge and commitment to providing high-quality care to pediatric patients in emergency settings.

Can the exam be taken through remote proctoring?

Yes, the CPEN exam can be taken via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP), allowing candidates the flexibility to complete the exam from a secure location of their choice, such as their home or office, while being monitored in real-time by a professional proctor.

What organization offers the CPEN certification?

The CPEN certification is offered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN).

What are the other certifications offered by BCEN?

BCEN offers several specialty certifications, including: - Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) - Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) - Certified Transport Registered Nurse (CTRN) - Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN) - Certified Burn Registered Nurse (CBRN)

How often does the CPEN certification need to be renewed?

The CPEN certification must be renewed every four years.

What is the average pass rate?

The CPEN exam is a difficult exam with a recent pass rate of 63%.

What are the examination windows?

The CPEN exam is offered year-round, allowing candidates to apply and schedule their exam at their convenience within their assigned 90-day testing window.

Where is the main exam website, and where can I find candidate handbooks?

The main exam website is [bcen.org](https://www.bcen.org), where candidate handbooks are available and updated regularly.

Do the questions become more difficult based on answers to previous questions?

No, the CPEN exam does not adjust in difficulty based on previous answers.

How many CEs are required to renew?

To renew the CPEN certification, individuals must complete 100 contact hours of nursing continuing education within their current 4-year certification period. At least 75 of these hours must be specific to pediatric emergency nursing, and a minimum of 50 hours must be from accredited sources.

All Exams

CPEN

CPEN - Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse

Updated on 2025-03-23

Buy CPEN Question Bank

Credential earned: CPEN

Number of exam questions: 175

Exam pass rate: 63%

About CPEN Certification

The Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) exam is administered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN). This certification is designed for registered nurses who specialize in providing emergency care to pediatric patients. Achieving the CPEN credential demonstrates a nurse's proficiency in handling the unique challenges of pediatric emergencies, including acute illnesses, injuries, and trauma in children from infancy through adolescence. This certification underscores a commitment to delivering high-quality, specialized care in pediatric emergency settings.

Category	Details
Exam Description	A comprehensive certification exam for professionals in pediatric emergency nursing.
Credentials Earned	Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN).
Eligibility Requirements	Active RN license. It is recommended to have least two years of full-time experience in pediatric emergency nursing care.
Completion Time	3 hours to complete exam.
Subjects Covered in the Exam	Key areas include triage, pediatric assessment, medical emergencies, special considerations, multisystem considerations, and professional practice.
Number of Questions	175 multiple-choice questions (150 scored and 25 unscored pretest questions).
Exam Format	Multiple-choice, computer-based test.
Exam Proctoring	Exam can be taken in a testing center or via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP).
Recertification Details	Required every 4 years. Must recertify by exam or complete 100 contact hours.
Pass/Fail Rates	Pass rates vary annually with a recent pass rate of 63%.
Difficulty Level	Hard.
Study Material	BoardCerts CPEN Exam Prep.

BoardCerts CPEN Question Bank

BoardCerts offers a meticulously crafted question bank to support your preparation for the Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) exam. Featuring BoardCerts practice questions and multiple predictor exams, our resources are tailored to align closely with the CPEN exam blueprint. Questions are reviewed by certified CPEN nurses to ensure content accuracy and relevance. The question bank reflects the complexity of the CPEN exam, providing detailed rationales and explanations for each answer to strengthen your understanding and boost your confidence.

CPEN Exam Content Outline

The Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) exam evaluates a nurse's proficiency in pediatric emergency care through a structured content outline. The exam comprises 150 scored multiple-choice questions, distributed across six primary domains:

Triage Process (20 questions): Assesses the nurse's ability to perform initial evaluations, prioritize care based on acuity, and implement emergency preparedness protocols
Assessment (25 questions): Focuses on conducting comprehensive patient assessments
System-Focused Emergencies (56 questions): Covers the management of emergencies related to various body systems
Special Considerations (25 questions): Addresses care for specific populations and situations
Multi-System Considerations (12 questions): Involves scenarios requiring integrated care approaches
Professional Issues (12 questions): Encompasses legal and ethical considerations, nursing practice standards, patient and family considerations, and aspects of professional development

For a comprehensive breakdown of the exam content, please review Preparation and Resources.

Exam Categories: Percentage Distribution

CPEN Exam Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) exam, candidates must hold a current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the United States, its territories, Canada, or Australia. While there is no mandatory minimum number of practice hours required to sit for the exam, it is recommended that candidates have at least two years of experience in pediatric emergency nursing to ensure adequate hands-on experience in the field before pursuing certification.

CPEN Application Process

Online Application:

Begin by visiting the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) website to access your BCEN Account. If you're a first-time user, you'll need to create an account. Returning candidates can sign in using their existing credentials.

Application Submission:

Submit application directly to BCEN.

Scheduling the Exam:

After your application and payment are processed, you'll receive an exam eligibility email from BCEN. This email will contain important information about your 90-day testing window and instructions on how to schedule your exam with BCEN's test delivery provider, PSI. You have the option to take the exam at a PSI testing center or via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP), providing flexibility in how you take the test.

Preparation:

To prepare effectively for the CPEN exam, BoardCerts offers a question bank to help you study. This tool is designed to align closely with the exam content outline and reflect the level of difficulty found on the actual test. Utilizing this resource can help streamline your preparation and ensure you're well-equipped for exam day.

CPEN Exam Dates and Costs

Application Window: The Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) exam is offered year-round, allowing candidates the flexibility to apply at any time. Once your application is approved, you'll receive a 90-day testing window during which you must schedule and complete your exam.

CPEN Exam Format

Number of Questions: The CPEN exam comprises of 175 multiple-choice questions, of which 150 are scored, and 25 are unscored pretest items. These unscored questions are interspersed throughout the exam and do not affect the final score, as they are utilized for future test development.
Exam Response Options: Each question presents four response options.
Testing Options: Candidates have the flexibility to take the exam at PSI testing centers or opt for Live Remote Proctoring (LRP), allowing for a remote testing experience.
Time Allotted: Examinees are given 3 hours to complete the exam.

Passing Score for CPEN

Difficulty Level: The Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) exam is recognized for its rigor, assessing a comprehensive range of topics pertinent to pediatric emergency nursing.
Passing Score: To pass the CPEN exam, candidates must correctly answer 110 out of the 150 scored questions, equating to approximately 73.3%.
Score Reporting: Upon completing the exam, candidates receive immediate on-screen notification of their pass/fail status. A detailed score report is provided shortly thereafter, offering insights into performance across different content areas. This prompt feedback allows candidates to understand their strengths and areas for improvement.

CPEN Exam Proctoring

The Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) exam is administered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) in partnership with PSI testing services. Candidates have the flexibility to choose between two proctoring options:

In-Person Testing:

PSI operates a network of testing centers worldwide where candidates can take the exam in a controlled, proctored environment. This traditional method ensures a standardized testing experience.

Live Remote Proctoring (LRP):

This option allows candidates to take the CPEN exam from a secure location of their choice, such as their home or office. During LRP, a professional proctor monitors the candidate in real-time using the computer's webcam and microphone to ensure exam integrity.

CPEN Preparation and Resources

At BoardCerts, we meticulously align our practice questions with the Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) exam blueprint to ensure your preparation is both relevant and comprehensive. Our question bank is developed in coordination with this blueprint, utilizing the same authoritative resources that underpin the official exam. This approach ensures that our practice materials reflect the content and difficulty level you will encounter on test day.

Topics on the Exam: Familiarize yourself with the CPEN exam blueprint to understand the topics covered. The detailed content outline is available here: Preparation and Resources.
Review Course: Engaging in a structured review course can solidify your understanding of exam content. The BCEN offers review materials, which provide comprehensive insights into pediatric emergency care. For more information, visit the BCEN website.
Question Bank: Utilizing a comprehensive question bank is crucial for effective exam preparation. BoardCerts offers the CPEN Question Bank that aligns with the exam blueprint and is reviewed by certified pediatric emergency nurses. This resource provides extensive practice questions and includes predictor exams to help gauge your readiness.

CPEN Certification Renewal

The Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) certification is valid for four years. To maintain your credential, you must complete the recertification process before your certification expires. The Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) offers two primary methods for recertification:

Recertification by Continuing Education (CE):

Continuing Education Requirements: Accumulate 100 contact hours of nursing continuing education within your current 4-year certification period. Of these, at least 75 contact hours must be clinical content specific to pediatric emergency nursing, while up to 25 hours can be non-clinical content. Additionally, a minimum of 50 contact hours must come from accredited sources.

Recertification by Examination:

Process: Apply to retake the CPEN exam through your BCEN account. Once your application is approved, schedule and pass the exam within the assigned 90-day testing window. You can choose to take the exam at a PSI testing center or via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP).

CPEN Practice Questions

Practicing sample questions is a crucial part of CPEN exam preparation, helping you become familiar with the exam format, question style, and key content areas. The BoardCerts CPEN Question Bank offers high-quality, exam-focused sample questions that align with the CPEN exam blueprint, ensuring you are well-prepared and confident on test day.

Access Sample Questions: Find sample questions from the BoardCerts question bank here. These questions are crafted to reflect the level of application and difficulty found on the CPEN exam.

A

B

C

M

N

O

P

R

S

T

A

B

C

M

N

O

P

R

S

T