CPN - Certified Pediatric Nurse

About CPN Certification

The Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) exam is offered through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB). It is a specialized certification for registered nurses focused on providing exceptional care to pediatric patients. Achieving this credential demonstrates a nurse’s expertise in the care of children, including the management of acute and chronic conditions, health promotion, and addressing the unique needs of pediatric patients and their families. This certification reflects a high standard of competency in pediatric nursing and recognizes a nurse's dedication to promoting the health, well-being, and safety of children across diverse clinical settings.

BoardCerts CPN Question Bank

BoardCerts offers an extensive question bank tailored to help you succeed on the Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) exam. Featuring BoardCerts practice questions and multiple predictor exams, our content is fully aligned with the CPN exam blueprint. Each question is meticulously reviewed by certified pediatric nurses and medical professionals, ensuring accuracy and relevance. The question bank reflects the exam’s rigor and includes in-depth rationales and explanations to reinforce your understanding and preparation.

CPN Exam Content Outline

The Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) exam encompasses four primary content areas, each evaluating a candidate's knowledge and expertise in pediatric nursing:

• Health Promotion (23%): Focuses on tailored health guidance, injury prevention, and psychosocial factors.

• Assessment (35%): Covers physical and psychosocial evaluations, including growth, pain, and emotional health.

• Planning and Management (33%): Addresses care for physical and behavioral health, prioritizing care, and ensuring safe environments.

• Professional Responsibilities (9%): Includes advocacy, maintaining professional boundaries, and engaging in interdisciplinary collaboration.

For more detailed blueprint outline, please review the CPN exam blueprint, which can be found here: Preparation and Resources.

CPN Exam Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for the Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) exam requires a current, valid, unrestricted RN license in the U.S., Canada, or certain U.S. territories. Candidates must meet one of the following experience requirements: Either 1,800 hours of pediatric clinical experience within the past 24 months or five years of experience as an RN in pediatric nursing with 3,000 hours in the last five years, including at least 1,000 hours in the past 24 months. International practice is accepted for those holding an active U.S. RN license. Eligible experience includes direct patient care and indirect care.

CPN Application Process

CPN Exam Dates and Costs

The CPN exam is available year-round, with flexibility for scheduling at either a PSI testing center or via live remote proctoring (LRP).

For the most up-to-date information regarding exam dates, application deadlines, and fees, please visit the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board website.

CPN Exam Format

Number of Questions: The CPN exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions. Of these, 150 are scored, while the remaining 25 are unscored pretest questions, which are included to gather data for future exam development.

Exam Response Options: Multiple-choice test.

Testing Options: The exam is available at designated test centers and can also be taken via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP), providing flexibility for candidates.

Time Allotted: Candidates have 3 hours to complete the exam.

Passing Score for CPN

Difficulty Level: The CPN exam is known to be challenging, with an annual pass rate of around 75% in recent years.

Passing Score: The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) uses a scaled scoring system from 200 to 800, with 400 as the passing score across all exam versions. This ensures consistency, regardless of which exam form a candidate takes.

Exam Statistics: Detailed statistics, including annual pass rates and the number of candidates tested, are available on the PNCB's official website.

Score Reporting: After completing the computer-based CPN exam, you will receive an unofficial pass/fail notification on-screen. Official results are emailed within 2-3 weeks.

CPN Exam Proctoring

The Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) exam is administered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) in collaboration with PSI. Candidates have the flexibility to choose between two proctoring options:

• Live Remote Proctoring (LRP): This option allows you to take the exam from a location of your choice, such as your home or office. During the exam, a professional proctor monitors you in real-time via your computer's webcam and microphone to ensure the integrity of the testing process.

• In-Person Testing Centers: Alternatively, you can opt to take the exam at one of PSI's designated testing centers, which are available across various locations. This traditional method involves attending a physical location to complete the exam under supervised conditions.

Both options are designed to maintain the exam's security and integrity while providing flexibility to accommodate your preferences and circumstances.

CPN Preparation and Resources

BoardCerts meticulously aligns its practice questions with the Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) exam blueprint to ensure relevance and comprehensive content coverage. The question bank is developed in coordination with this blueprint, incorporating the same authoritative resources that form the foundation of the official exam. This structured approach provides candidates with an effective and thorough preparation experience.

Topics on Exam: Understand topics on the CPN exam blueprint, which can be found here: Preparation and Resources.

Review Course: Consider enrolling in a review course, such as the CPN Review Course offered by PNCB, to help solidify your knowledge of the exam content.

Question Bank: Utilize a comprehensive resource like the BoardCerts CPN Question Bank, which aligns with the exam blueprint and is reviewed by CPN certified nurses. The question bank provides extensive practice essential for success and includes predictor exams to help gauge your exam readiness.

CPN Certification Renewal

CPN recertification is an annual requirement. Additional information can be found directly on the PNCB website. Recertification can be achieved through one of the following methods. Individuals will only need to choose one method below to recertify:

• Contact Hours Only: 15 contact hours

• Contact Hours + Practice Hours: 10 contact hours + 200 practice hours or 5 contact hours + 400 practice hours

• Contact Hours + Pediatric Professional Learning (PPL): 5 contact hours + 1 PPL

• Contact Hours + Academic Credit: 5 contact hours + 1 academic credit

• Practice Hours + PPL: 200 practice hours + 1 PPL

• PPL + Academic Credit: 1 academic credit + 1 PPL

• Academic Credit + Practice Hours: 1 academic credit + 200 practice hours

• Record Review Year: No additional activity required; a lower recertification fee applies.

Candidates must select their preferred recertification method when submitting the online application. For detailed information on the renewal process and requirements, visit the PNCB's official recertification page.

CPN Practice Questions

• Practicing sample questions is essential for effective CPN exam preparation, helping you become familiar with the exam structure and key topics. The BoardCerts CPN Question Bank offers a range of well-designed, exam-focused questions that reflect the CPN exam blueprint, ensuring you're thoroughly prepared for the test.

• Access Practice Questions: Explore sample questions here. These questions are designed to match the difficulty and application level of the CPN exam.

CPN Related Certifications

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers a nurse pediatric board exam:

• Pediatric Nurse - Board Certified (PED-BC): This is a similar pediatric nursing certification but offered through ANCC. Additional information can be viewed here. The PNCB has developed a comparison webpage for both exams.

The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) also offers a variety of other certifications for healthcare professionals in pediatric care:

• Primary Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-PC): For advanced practice registered nurses focusing on primary pediatric care.
• Acute Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-AC): For advanced practice registered nurses in acute pediatric care.
• Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist (PMHS): For professionals focusing on pediatric mental health in primary care.