CPNP-PC Certification: Overview and FAQ
The Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care (CPNP-PC) certification is awarded to nurse practitioners (NPs) who have completed specialized training in pediatric care and plan to work with children from infancy through young adulthood. This credential ensures that pediatric nurse practitioners are prepared to meet the unique healthcare needs of young patients by testing their knowledge and skills through a specialized exam.
With more than 5 million pediatric hospitalizations in the U.S. each year, your expertise is in high demand. This guide will break down what the certification is, how to earn it, and the best ways to prepare for your exam.
CPNP-PC Certification: Snapshot
- Eligibility: You need a current RN license and a master’s or doctoral degree focused on pediatric primary care. Alternatively, you can qualify by completing a formal dual primary/acute care program or a post-master’s pediatric primary care NP certificate program.
- Preparation: Read the content outline, review the list of references, use practice tests, and consider investing in a review course or book.
- Application process: Create an online account, complete the exam application form, and request supporting documents from your school.
- Exam: Your test will have 175 multiple-choice questions, and you’ll have 3 hours to answer them.
- Cost: The exam fee is $395.
- Renewal: You’ll need to renew your certification annually.
CPNP-PC Meaning
CPNP-PC is a specialized credential that’s granted to NPs who have undergone extensive training in providing primary care for children, including preventive care, diagnosis, and treatment of common childhood illnesses. It is issued by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB), the largest certifying and education organization for nurses who care for children and young adults.
Want a glimpse into the exam content? It covers four key areas, all centered around the unique needs of pediatric patients.
| Knowledge topics: | Examples of testable tasks: |
|---|---|
| Health maintenance and promotion |
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| Assessment and diagnosis |
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| Management |
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| Leadership, ethics, and practice management |
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Curious about where these professionals can work? Aside from hospitals and medical centers, pediatric NP jobs are found in a range of places:
- Private practices
- Ambulatory care centers
- School-based clinics
- Community care centers
- Federally qualified health centers
Steps to Get Certified
So, how can you earn the right to add these prestigious letters to your name? Let’s dive into the steps to becoming a certified pediatric nurse practitioner.
1. Become a Nurse
Your first step is to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited program. Once you graduate, you’ll need to pass the NCLEX-RN and apply for your RN license through your state’s nursing board.
2. Gain Nursing Experience
Many NP programs require at least one year of clinical experience before you can apply. This ensures you’re well prepared to step into independent practice. Consider these specialties to help you build a solid knowledge and skill base in pediatric care:
3. Apply to Graduate Program
You can become a nurse practitioner by earning either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. Although each program has its own requirements and timeline, here’s an overview of what you can generally expect:
- An MSN takes about 2 years to complete and includes a minimum of 500 clinical hours.
- A DNP takes about 3 to 5 years to complete and requires you to accumulate at least 1,000 clinical hours to graduate.
4. Meet Certification Eligibility Requirements
Next up, you’ll need to fulfill the eligibility requirements for the exam. Here’s a checklist of what you should accomplish before applying:
- Licensure: Have a current, active, unencumbered RN license in the U.S. or Canada.
- Education: Graduate from an accredited MSN or DNP program with a focus on pediatric primary care or a dual primary/acute care program. Another option is to complete a post-master’s certificate program in pediatric primary care for nurse practitioners.
- Clinical hours: Choose a program that includes at least 500 supervised direct-care clinical hours in primary care pediatrics.
- Mandatory courses: Ensure your program includes advanced physiology and pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology classes.
- Transcripts: Request your school to send official transcripts directly to PNCB.
5. Prepare for the Exam
Your next step is to hit the books. Here’s a list of resources to help you get ready for your exam:
- Carefully study topics in the content outline.
- Review resources mentioned in the list of references.
- Test your knowledge with CPNP-PC practice questions.
- Read about tips for preparing for the PNCB board exam.
6. Apply for the Exam
Start by setting up an online account and clicking on the “Exam Applications” link to select your exam type. Complete the online application by filling in all the fields and uploading the required documents. After that, reach out to your school to have them send your transcripts directly to PNCB. Remember, your application won’t be complete until PNCB receives all the required paperwork.
Once your application is approved, you’ll have a 90-day testing window to schedule your exam through Prometric.
7. Pay the Exam Fee
To complete your application, you’ll need to pay the exam fee, which secures your spot for the test. Here’s the fee breakdown:
- Exam fee: $395
- Retest fee: $280
- Extension fee: $150
8. Pass the Exam
Curious about what the exam will be like? Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect when it’s time to take your test:
- Your exam will last 3 hours.
- You’ll need to answer 175 questions.
- You’ll need to score at least 400 to pass, with scores ranging from 200 to 800.
- You’ll receive an official notification with your test results within 2–3 weeks.
9. Maintain the Certification
Recertification is annual. To renew your credential, submit your online application between November 1 and January 31. Before recertifying, you’ll need to complete 15 contact hours. While practice hours aren’t required, you can count up to 10 of them toward your total contact hours.
Over the course of seven years, you’ll also need to complete:
- 15 hours of pediatric pharmacology.
- 4 PNCB modules (2 in primary care and 2 of your choice).
PNCB recommends starting on the module and pharmacology requirements by your third year at the latest.
What Is CPNP-PC Salary?
A typical salary for pediatric nurse practitioners in the U.S. is about $117,500 per year. Just keep in mind that your pay can differ greatly based on your work setting, years of experience, and education. For example, a DNP CPNP-PC may earn more than an NP who completed an MSN program.
Geographic location plays a big role in your salary too. If you want to earn top dollar, consider sending your NP resume to employers in these five top-paying states:
Frequently Asked Questions: CPNP-PC Certification
What does CPNP-PC stand for?
CPNP-PC stands for Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care, which is a credential for NPs who specialize in providing primary care to children from infancy through young adulthood.
What do I do if I fail the exam?
Worried about failing the exam? Don’t stress — you can retake it. You’ll need to wait 30 days before reapplying to schedule your first retake. If you’re retesting after the second or third attempt, you’ll need to show proof of completing a review course or 15 continuing education hours for each area of weakness based on your score report.
How hard is the exam?
With a first-time pass rate of 81.49%, most nurse practitioners earn the credential as long as they dedicate enough time to study.
How do I verify my credentials?
You and your employer can use the online portal for verification. The first two verifications to state boards are free each renewal cycle, but extra verifications or third-party requests cost $60 each.
CPNP-PC vs. MD: What’s the difference?
The first title refers to a nurse practitioner who specializes in pediatric primary care, typically completing a BSN degree followed by an MSN or DNP degree. A doctor of medicine (MD), on the other hand, completes medical school and a pediatric residency, allowing them to diagnose and treat more complex conditions, perform surgeries, and prescribe a wider range of medications.
APRN CPNP-PC vs. NP: What’s the difference?
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is an umbrella term that covers registered nurses (RNs) with advanced degrees and specializations, including NPs. Therefore, an NP is an APRN.
What other study resources can help me prepare for the exam?
While PNCB offers a wealth of resources to help you get ready for the exam, you may want to explore additional tools to boost your prep game. Here’s a list of resources you might want to explore:
- Quizlet practice questions
- PNCB YouTube channel
- Pediatric primary care books, such as Lippincott Certification Review: Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Study apps, such as Pocket Prep
- Review courses, such as Fitzgerald Health Education Associates.
Keep in mind that PNCB does not endorse any of the resources mentioned above, so use your best judgment when selecting additional study materials.
Related Certifications
Want to explore more certification for NPs and nurses? These additional credentials may be useful:
- Board Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP-BC)
- Registered Nurse Certification in Maternal Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN)
- Registered Nurse Certification in Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB)
- Registered Nurse Certification in Neonatal Intensive Care (RNC-NIC)
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
- Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) certifications
- Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization (PEARS)
- Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- S.T.A.B.L.E. certification
Looking for a Nursing Career Upgrade?
If you’re a CPNP-PC–certified nurse practitioner or seeking a nursing position to gain valuable practice hours, IntelyCare can connect you with quality nursing jobs tailored to your career goals. Learn how we can help you open the door to new possibilities.