Career Advice > Continuing Education > Credentialing and Licensing > How to Become a Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS)

How to Become a Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS)

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Written by Ann Real, BSN, RN Content Writer, IntelyCare

A Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist assesses the skin on a patient's face.

Are you a nurse with a passion for beauty and skincare? Earning the Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS) credential allows you to bridge the gap between medical science and cosmetic artistry to help clients look and feel their best. CANS certification highlights your expertise in Botox injections, laser treatments, and other noninvasive cosmetic procedures, giving you a competitive edge in the field.

The aesthetics medicine industry is expanding rapidly, so your expertise will likely be in high demand. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about earning and launching your career in this field.

Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist: Career Snapshot

Mission: Enhance clients’ appearance and confidence.
Responsibilities: Administer cosmetic treatments, such as neuromuscular injections, dermal fillers, chemical peels, skin rejuvenation, and laser therapies, and provide post-treatment care and follow-up.
Workplaces: Medical spas, dermatology and plastic surgery offices, aesthetic clinics, and private practices.
Path: Nursing degree and clinical experience, followed by specialized aesthetic certification.
Length of study: 2 to 4 years.

What Is Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist Certification?

CANS certification is a specialized credential offered by the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board (PSNCB) that validates a nurse’s expertise in performing aesthetic and cosmetic procedures. It highlights your dedication to patient safety, best practices, and the latest industry standards, positioning you as a skilled and trusted practitioner.

For nurses wanting a change from fast-paced hospital environments, this credential offers exciting career paths. Here are a few of the locations where CANS-certified nurses can work:

Medical spas
Plastic surgery clinics
Dermatology offices
Aesthetic clinics
Private practice
Wellness and anti-aging centers

How to Become a Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist

If you’re ready to pursue a career in aesthetic nursing, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:

Step 1: Become a Nurse

Your first step is to become a licensed nurse. There are two pathways to eligibility for CANS certification:

Registered nurse (RN): Earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and pass the NCLEX-RN to obtain your nursing license.
Nurse practitioner (NP): Obtain an advanced degree such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and pass the required licensure exam for NPs.

Step 2: Meet CANS Certification Requirements

Your next step is to meet the eligibility requirements set by the PSNCB. Keep in mind that they will differ based on your education.

RN Pathway	NP Pathway
Hold a current, unrestricted RN license in the U.S., its territories, or Canada. Complete at least 1,000 hours of work experience in core specialties within the past 2 years. Have at least 2 years of nursing experience working with a board-certified physician or a CANS-certified NP. Be currently employed in a practice with a board-certified physician in aesthetic-related specialties or a CANS-certified NP. Obtain a letter of recommendation from your collaborating physician and/or NP.	Hold a current, unrestricted NP or APRN license in the U.S., its territories, or Canada. Complete at least 1,000 practice hours in core specialties within the past 2 years. Have at least 2 years of nursing experience working with a board-certified physician or a CANS-certified NP. Be currently employed in a practice with a board-certified physician in aesthetic-related specialties or a CANS-certified NP. Obtain a letter of recommendation from your collaborating physician and/or NP. If you’re not working with a board-certified physician, provide proof from your Board of Nursing that you’re not required to work in collaboration.

RN Pathway

NP Pathway

Hold a current, unrestricted RN license in the U.S., its territories, or Canada.
Complete at least 1,000 hours of work experience in core specialties within the past 2 years.
Have at least 2 years of nursing experience working with a board-certified physician or a CANS-certified NP.
Be currently employed in a practice with a board-certified physician in aesthetic-related specialties or a CANS-certified NP.
Obtain a letter of recommendation from your collaborating physician and/or NP.

Hold a current, unrestricted NP or APRN license in the U.S., its territories, or Canada.
Complete at least 1,000 practice hours in core specialties within the past 2 years.
Have at least 2 years of nursing experience working with a board-certified physician or a CANS-certified NP.
Be currently employed in a practice with a board-certified physician in aesthetic-related specialties or a CANS-certified NP.
Obtain a letter of recommendation from your collaborating physician and/or NP. If you’re not working with a board-certified physician, provide proof from your Board of Nursing that you’re not required to work in collaboration.

Step 3: Prepare for the Exam

To earn your CANS certification, you’ll need to pass a comprehensive exam. According to the certified aesthetic nurse specialist study guide, the test covers two key areas. The first focuses on three core clinical practice areas in aesthetic nursing:

Clinical practice areas	Examples of topics
Aesthetic injectables	Neurotoxins Dermal fillers Sclerotherapy
Laser, light, and energy-based therapies	Nonablative laser, light-based, and energy-based treatments Ultrasound Cryolipolysis
Clinical skincare	Topical products Topical devices Chemical peels

The second area of the exam evaluates essential nursing skills required for safe and effective practice in aesthetic medicine:

Assessing and monitoring patient status, including physical and psychosocial well-being.
Planning and administering aesthetic procedures safely and effectively.
Educating patients on post-treatment care and ways to achieve optimal results.

Review each topic in the study guide and reinforce your knowledge with practice tests. If you need additional support, the International Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Nurses (ISPAN) provides study resources, including the following:

Core Curriculum for Plastic Surgical Nursing book
CANS review course

Step 4: Apply for the Exam

Next, complete the application form, and make sure you fill out each section. You’ll need to provide your Social Security number, as it will serve as your identification. Once everything is complete, ask the physician you work with to endorse your application and mail it to the PSNCB. You’ll also need to include a check or money order. The application fee is $495, but if you’re an ISPAN member, you’ll only need to pay $325.

After your application is reviewed and approved, you’ll receive an examination permit with details including your test date and test center address.

Step 5: Pass the Exam

After all your studying, you might be wondering what the test will be like. Here’s a glimpse of what to expect on exam day:

Your test will last 4 hours.
You’ll need to answer 150 questions (125 scored and 25 unscored).
You’ll need to score 75% or higher to pass the CANS examination.
Your results will be available within 4 to 6 weeks.

Step 6: Maintain the Certification

Congrats on earning your CANS credential. But the journey doesn’t end here — keeping your certification active requires some ongoing steps. The PSNCB requires recertification every three years to make sure you stay up to date with the latest techniques and industry standards.

To renew your CANS certification, you’ll need to earn 45 hours of continuing education over the three-year period. Of those hours, at least two must focus on patient safety and a minimum of 30 hours must be earned in one or more of the following core specialties:

Plastic/aesthetic surgery
Ophthalmology
Dermatology
Cosmetic surgery
Facial plastic surgery (ENT)

You’ll also need to submit your recertification application and pay the renewal fee ($350 for nonmembers and $200 for ISPAN members) before your certification expires.

What Is a Typical Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist Salary?

Your salary as an aesthetic nurse will largely depend on your education and experience. For instance, the typical aesthetic nurse salary is around $51,000 annually, whereas aesthetic nurse practitioners earn about $142,000 per year.

Whether you own your practice or work as part of a team can also impact your earnings. And let’s not forget, where you’re located can make a big difference, too. If you’re aiming for the highest pay, consider sending your aesthetic nurse resume to employers in these high-paying states for registered nurses:

Becoming a Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist: FAQ

What are the best certified aesthetic nurse specialist programs available?

High-quality CANS programs are typically accredited, offer comprehensive training, and provide valuable resources for exam preparation. For example, ISPAN, one of the leading organizations for aesthetic nursing, offers review courses, conferences, and educational materials tailored to the CANS exam.

Other organizations offering useful courses for aesthetic nurses include:

Which aesthetic treatments do nurses typically perform?

As a CANS, you’ll perform a range of treatments. Here are the top five minimally invasive cosmetic treatments in the U.S.:

Neuromodulator injections
Hyaluronic acid fillers
Skin resurfacing
Skin treatment, combination lasers
Lip augmentation with injectable materials

What are the benefits of becoming a CANS?

Becoming certified comes with several benefits for healthcare professionals. Certified nurses often report greater job satisfaction, while their patients experience enhanced safety and better clinical outcomes, such as lower infection rates and reduced risks of complications.

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