CNE Certification: Overview and FAQ

Excellent educators help improve healthcare by instructing the next generation of nurses. If you’re an experienced nurse educator looking for a credential that validates your expertise, earning the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) certification might be a great option.

The National League for Nursing (NLN) established the nursing education specialty in the early 2000s, and state leadership organizations encourage certification in this area. Ready to elevate your career as an academic nursing instructor? Learn more in this deep-dive on earning nurse educator credentials.

What Is a CNE?

A CNE is a Certified Nurse Educator. The NLN offers this credential, which validates the knowledge and skills required to excel as an academic nursing educator. It focuses on nursing education principles, curriculum development, assessment strategies, and student learning facilitation. You may qualify for CNE if you work in one or more of the following educational institutions:

• Hospital-based nursing education programs: Train new nurses and leading continuing education initiatives within healthcare organizations.
• Technical schools and community colleges: Prepare students for entry-level nursing roles as LPNs and RNs.
• Four-year colleges and universities: Teach bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral nursing students; conduct research and develop curricula.

Why Get CNE Certified?

There are currently fewer than 10,000 credentialed Certified Nurse Educators, so earning this title could set you apart and show your dedication. The CNE designation is a mark of expertise and can enhance your credibility in your current role. Plus, if you’re considering a vertical or lateral career move, additional credentials like this one can set you apart when applying for nurse educator jobs.

How to Get CNE Certification: 4 Steps

Step 1: Meet CNE Certification Requirements

Before applying, ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements set by the NLN. These include the following:

• An active, unencumbered RN license
• One of the following criteria:
• Hold a master’s or doctoral degree with an emphasis in nursing education.
• Hold a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing with a post-master’s nursing education certificate.
• Hold a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing with 9 or more hours of graduate-level education courses.
• Hold a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing with an emphasis in a role other than education, along with 2 or more years of employment in a nursing program in an academic institution within the past 5 years.

Step 2: Apply for Certification

Apply for CNE certification online through the NLN’s certification portal. Completing the application will take about ten to fifteen minutes, and you’ll need the following information:

• RN license number and expiration date
• NLN account
• Credit card for the application fee

You can find the CNE certification cost for members and nonmembers below:

• NLN members: $425
• Nonmembers: $525

Once you submit your application, you’ll have 90 days to schedule and pass the exam. Check your inbox for an email from Meazure Learning, the exam provider, to set your test date and time.

Step 3: Pass the CNE Exam

The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, and 130 of them count towards your score. Major content areas on the exam are as follows:

• Learning facilitation, including evidence-based teaching strategies, learning environments, and teaching modifications
• Learner development and socialization, such as identifying unique learner needs, and constructive evaluations
• Assessment and evaluation strategies, including designing and applying evaluations, analyzing assessment data, and providing learning feedback
• Curriculum design and program outcome evaluation, including developing program standards and policies and implementing program evaluation plans
• Functioning as a change agent and leader, such as determining needed change within an organization, advocating for nursing education, and managing conflict
• Continuous quality improvement, including improving role effectiveness, seeking mentors, and self-reflection
• Functioning within the organizational environment and academic community, including analyzing educational impact, serving as a nurse leader, and participating in policy development

How should you prepare for the test? CNE certification programs can help add structure to your studying process. The NLN offers CNE exam prep materials, including a self-assessment exam with 65 practice questions similar to the ones you’ll see on the real exam. You can purchase the CNE review book through the NLN bookstore.

Once you pass, you’ll be able to find your CNE certificate through your NLN portal account. You can now display your credentials as a CNE-certified nursing instructor.

Step 4: Maintain Your Credentials

Your CNE credential is valid for five years, and renewals must be submitted by October 1 of the year it expires. You’ll need to continue to meet the following requirements to qualify for renewal:

• Valid licensure documentation
• Compliant with the CNE code of ethics
• Renewal fees paid on time
• Continuing competency either through document submission or passing the CNE exam

See renewal fees below:

• NLN members: $350
• Nonmembers: $450

CNE FAQ

CNE vs. NPD certification: What’s the difference?

While the NLN offers the credentials for Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), ANCC offers the Nursing Professional Development (NPD) certification for hospital-based nurse educators. But which one is right for you? See the key differences between the two credentials below:

• Professional areas: CNE is for academic educators, while NPD is for nurses who support education and development in healthcare settings.
• Focus: CNE focuses on curriculum development, instructional strategies, assessment, and student learning, while NPD focuses on more professional education strategies such as staff development, continuing education, onboarding, and leadership.

Can I take the CNE exam online?

Yes, this exam is available on your home computer through remote proctoring. You’ll still need to formally schedule your exam, and there may be additional fees associated with taking the test remotely.

Can I become CNE-certified if I work in a clinical education setting rather than an academic institution?

The NLN lists hospitals among their qualified teaching settings for CNE, but the answer to this question may be determined by your title. You may be better suited for either NPD or the NLN’s Academic Clinical Nurse Educator (CNEcl) credential, which is for nurses in the following roles:

• Clinical faculty
• Part-time faculty
• Adjunct faculty
• Clinical instructor
• Preceptor

Related Certifications

• Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE)
• Certified Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)
• Academic Novice Nurse Educator (CNEn)

Find Your Next Opportunity

IntelyCare has roles for nursing leaders and educators with or without CNE certification. Learn more with personalized job notifications that alert you when jobs open up in your location.