PED-BC Exam - Pediatric Nursing Certification
About the PED-BC Exam
The Pediatric Nursing (PED-BC) certification exam, administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), is a professional credential for registered nurses who specialize in the care of infants, children, and adolescents. It acknowledges a nurse’s expertise in managing the developmental, physical, and psychosocial needs of pediatric patients, with an emphasis on evidence-based care and sound clinical judgment. Earning this certification confirms advanced proficiency in pediatric nursing practice and reflects a strong commitment to improving health outcomes and overall well-being for children and their families.
BoardCerts PED-BC Question Bank
BoardCerts offers an in-depth PED-BC Question Bank built to support your success on the Pediatric Nursing certification exam. Featuring more than 1,000 high-quality practice questions and multiple timed predictor exams, the material is carefully aligned with the PED-BC exam blueprint. The content is rigorously reviewed by PED-BC–certified professionals to ensure clinical accuracy and exam relevance. Comprehensive rationales for both correct and incorrect answer choices help reinforce key concepts and strengthen your confidence throughout your exam preparation.
Content Outline of PED-BC Exam
The PED-BC exam evaluates nurses across three primary domains:
- Assessment and Diagnosis (42%) – Assessing infants, children, and adolescents; recognizing developmental milestones and deviations; identifying health risks; and evaluating clinical findings.
- Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation (31%) – Implementing evidence-based pediatric interventions, promoting safety, coordinating age-appropriate care, and monitoring treatment effectiveness.
- Professional Foundation (27%) – Health promotion and disease prevention, legal and ethical considerations in pediatric practice, culturally responsive care, family-centered approaches, and the use of technology to support pediatric health care.
For more detailed blueprint outline, please review the PED-OB exam blueprint, which can be found here.
Exam Categories: Percentage Distribution
Eligibility Requirements of PED-BC Exam
To qualify for the Pediatric Nursing (PED-BC) exam, a registered nurse must hold a current, active RN license and have at least 2,000 hours of specialty practice in pediatric nursing completed within the past three years. In addition, candidates are required to have earned 30 hours of continuing education in pediatric nursing during the same three-year period.
Application Process for PED-BC Exam
- Online Application: Visit the application portal on the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) website.
- Application Submission: Complete the online application with all required personal and professional details. Be sure that all eligibility criteria for the PED-BC certification are met before submitting your application.
- Scheduling the Exam: After your application is approved, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) notice. You will then have 120 days to schedule your exam at a Prometric testing center of your choice.
- Preparation: Prepare confidently using the BoardCerts PED-BC Question Bank.
The question bank is closely aligned with the PED-BC exam blueprint and reflects the difficulty level of the actual exam, making it a comprehensive tool for building readiness and exam confidence.
PED-BC Exam Dates and Costs
The Pediatric Nursing (PED-BC) exam is offered year-round, allowing candidates to submit applications at any time without designated testing windows. After receiving application approval, candidates are given a 120-day period to schedule and complete the exam.
For the most up-to-date details regarding exam fees and scheduling options, candidates should consult the official ANCC website.
PED-BC Exam Format
Number of Questions: The Pediatric Nursing (PED-BC) certification exam includes 150 multiple-choice questions, with 125 scored items and 25 unscored pretest questions used for future exam development.
Exam Response Options: Each question provides four answer choices (A, B, C, D).
Testing Options: The exam is administered at approved Prometric testing centers.
Time Allotted: Candidates are given 3 hours to complete the exam.
PED-BC Exam Pass/Fail Rates
Difficulty Level: The PED-BC certification is considered challenging, with recent annual pass rates averaging around 77%.
Passing Score: The exam uses a criterion-referenced scoring system, where the passing score is determined by set standards rather than a fixed percentage. Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 350 out of a possible 500 to pass.
Exam Statistics: Comprehensive statistics, including yearly pass rates and candidate numbers, are available on the ANCC Exam Statistics webpage.
Score Reporting: Candidates can check their status at the Prometric Test Center immediately after testing. Official results and score reports are usually available within 24–48 hours following exam completion.
PED-BC Exam Proctoring
The PED-BC certification exam is administered by the ANCC in collaboration with Prometric. Candidates can choose a Prometric Testing Center at their preferred location to take the exam.
PED-BC Exam Preparation and Resources
At BoardCerts, our practice questions are meticulously aligned with the PED-BC exam blueprint to ensure thorough coverage of the material you’ll encounter on the exam. The question bank is developed according to the official blueprint and draws from authoritative pediatric nursing resources, providing a structured and effective preparation experience.
- Topics on Exam: Review the subjects outlined in the PED-BC exam blueprint to guide your study. Access the blueprint here.
- Review Course: Consider participating in a review course, such as those offered by the ANCC, to strengthen your understanding of key pediatric nursing concepts.
- Question Bank: Leverage the BoardCerts PED-BC Question Bank, which is fully aligned with the exam blueprint and reviewed by experienced pediatric nurses. The question bank includes extensive practice questions and predictor exams to help you evaluate your readiness and build confidence for test day.
PED-BC Certification Renewal
The PED-BC certification is valid for five years. To maintain your certification, you must complete the following steps:
Continuing Competency Assessment: At the start of your maintenance cycle, complete the assessment to identify areas for professional growth and development.
Continuing Education (CE) Hours: Complete the required 75 continuing education contact hours in pediatric nursing.
Professional Development Activities: Fulfill at least one activity from the eight certification renewal professional development categories.
Maintenance Application: Submit your maintenance application online via the ANCC website before the due date, ensuring all CE activities are documented and aligned with your professional development plan.
For complete details on renewal requirements and procedures, visit the ANCC’s official website.
PED-BC Exam Practice Questions
Practicing sample questions is a crucial part of PED-BC exam preparation, helping you become familiar with the exam format, question style, and key pediatric nursing content areas. The BoardCerts PED-BC Question Bank offers high-quality, exam-focused practice questions aligned with the PED-BC exam blueprint, ensuring you are confident and well-prepared for test day.
- Access Sample Questions: Explore sample questions from the BoardCerts question bank here. These questions are designed to reflect the level of application and difficulty you will encounter on the PED-BC exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
