There are many organizations, boards, and centers that may certify specific roles as a nurse, whether you are a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or registered nurse. We’ve outlined some of the major nursing certifying bodies and their correlating abbreviations for you at the bottom of this page for reference.
Information for certifications, fees, renewals periods, and availability was retrieved as of December 2019. For the most up-to-date information on your interested nursing certification, refer to the certifying body’s website.
Nurse Practitioner Certifications
| Specialty | Certifying Body | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Renewal Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) (Renewal only available) |
ANCC | N/A | $375 Non-Member $275 ANA Member $295 AANP Member |
5 years |
| Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification – Adult Gerontology (ACNPC-AG) | AACN | $255 Member $360 Non-Member |
Practice/CE: $120/$220 Exam/Practice/Pharma CE: $120/200 Exam/CE: $120/$220 |
5 years |
| Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP-BC) (Renewal only available) |
ANCC | N/A | $375 Non-Member $275 ANA Member $295 AANP Member |
5 years |
| Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) (Renewal only available) |
ANCC | N/A | $375 Non-Member $275 ANA Member $295 AANP Member $250 APNA Member $295 ISPN Member |
5 years |
| Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP) | AANP | $290 Member $365 Non-Member |
Clinical Hours: $170/$245 Exam: $290/$365 |
5 years |
| Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP) | ONCC | $296 Member $416 Non-Member $225 for +65 $315 for Non-Member +65 |
ONC-PRO: $340/$460 Test: $296/$416 Test and ONC-PRO: $396/$496 |
4 years |
| Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner- Acute Care (CPNP-AC) | PNCB | $385 | Modules: $170 Module/CE: $130 CE: $85 Record Year Review: $65 |
1 year |
| Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner- Primary Care (CPNP-PC) | PNCB | $385 | Modules: $170 Module/CE: $130 CE: $85 Record Year Review: $65 |
1 year |
| Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) | ANCC | $395 Non-Member $295 ANA Member $340 AANP Member $290 AANP Student Member |
$375 Non-Member $275 ANA Member $295 AANP Member |
5 years |
| Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) | AANP | $290 Member $365 Non-Member |
Clinical Hours: $170/$245 Exam: $290/$365 |
5 years |
| Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP-BC) (Renewal only available) |
ANCC | N/A | $375 Non-Member $275 ANA Member $295 AANP Member $295 GAPNA Member |
5 years |
| Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (PPCNP-BC) (Renewal only available) |
ANCC | N/A | $375 Non-Member $275 ANA Member |
5 years |
| Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) (PMHNP-BC) | ANCC | $395 Non-Member $295 ANA Member $340 AANP Member $290 AANP Student Member $220 APNA Member $340 ISPN Member |
$375 Non-Member $275 ANA Member $295 AANP Member $250 APNA Member $295 ISPN Member |
5 years |
| Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHNP-BC) | NCC | $325 | $100 | 3 years |
Clinical Nurse Specialist Certifications
| Specialty | Certifying Body | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Renewal Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (PMHCNS-BC) (Renewal only available) |
ANCC | N/A | $375 Non-Member $275 ANA Member $295 NACNS Member $250 APNA Member $295 ISPN Member |
5 years |
| Advanced Oncology Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist (AOCNS) (Renewal only available) |
ONCC | N/A | ONC-PRO: $340/$460 Test: $296/$416 Test and ONC-PRO: $396/$496 WOCNCB |
4 years |
| Child/Adolescent Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (PMHCNS-BC) (Renewal only available) |
ANCC | N/A | $375 Non-Member $275 ANA Member $295 NACNS Member $250 APNA Member $295 ISPN Member |
5 years |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist Adult Health (ACNS-BC) (Renewal only available) |
ANCC | N/A | $375 Non-Member $275 ANA Member $295 NACNS Member |
5 years |
| Critical Care Nurse Specialist (CCNS) – Adult, Pediatric, or Neonatal (Renewal only available) |
AACN | N/A | Practice/CE: $180/$260 Practice/Exam/Pharma CE: $200/$305 CE/Exam: $200/$305 |
5 years |
| Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (PCNS-BC) (Renewal only available) |
ANCC | N/A | $375 Non-Member $275 ANA Member $295 NACNS Member |
5 years |
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- Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
- Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
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- Prepares RNs to pursue board certification as family nurse practitioners
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Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Certification
| Specialty | Certifying Body | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Renewal Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | NBCRNA | $995 | $110 every two years. Effective 2020, $250 every four years | 4 years |
Certified Nurse-Midwife Certification
| Specialty | Certifying Body | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Renewal Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) | AMCB | $500 | $70 | 1 year |
Other Nurse Speciality Certifications (A-C)
| Specialty | Certifying Body | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Renewal Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurses (ACHPN) | HPCC | $345 Member $465 Non-Member |
$310 Member $430 Non-Member |
4 years |
| Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse (AOCN) (Renewal only available) |
ONCC | N/A | ONC-PRO: $340/$460 Test: $296/$416 Test and ONC-PRO: $396/$496 WOCNCB |
4 years |
| Ambulatory Care | ANCC | $395 Non-Member $295 ANA Member $295 AAACN Member |
$350 Non-Member $250 ANA Member $295 AAACN Member |
5 years |
| Cardiac Medical Subspecialty Certification (CMC) | AACN | $130 Member $215 Non-Member |
CERPS: $60/100 Exam: $110/$155 |
3 years |
| Cardiac Surgery Subspecialty Certification (CSC) | AACN | $130 Member $215 Non-Member |
CERPS: $100/$175 Exam: $110/$155 |
3 years |
| Cardiac Vascular | ANCC | $395 Non-Member $295 ANA Member $340 AACVPR Member $340 SVN Member |
$350 Non-Member $250 ANA Member $295 PCNA Member $280 SVN Member |
5 years |
| Case Management | ABOHN | $150 Application Fee + $250 Exam Fee | $50 | 1 year |
| Certification for Emergency Nursing (CEN) | BCEN | $230 ENA Member $370 ENA Non-Member |
CE or Exam: $210/$350 | 4 years |
| Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) | ABPANC | $314 ASPAN Member $424 Non-Member |
Exam: $314/$424 Continual Learning: $194/$315 |
3 years |
| Certified Breast Care Nurse (CBCN) | ONCC | $296 Member $416 Non-Member |
ONC-PRO: $340/$460 Test: $296/$416 Test and ONC-PRO: $396/$496 |
4 years |
| Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse (CCTN) | ABTC | $325 | $300 | 3 years |
| Certified Continence Care Nurse (CCCN) | WOCNCB | $395 | $395 | 5 years |
| Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) | BCEN | $230 ENA Member $370 ENA Non-Member |
CE or Exam: $210/$350 | 4 years |
| Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse (CGRN) | ABCGN | $430 SNGM Member $520 Non-Member |
Computer: $420/$505 Contact Hours: $350/$435 |
5 years |
| Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN) | HPCC | $295 Member $415 Non-Member |
$260 Member $380 Non-Member |
4 years |
| Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) | MSNCB | $255 Member $375 Non-Member |
$175 Member $275 Non-Member |
5 years |
| Certified Nephrology Nurse (CNN)/Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN) | NNCC | Exam: $300/$350 | Exam: $300/$350 CE: $150/$175 |
3 years |
| Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN) | ABNN | Credit Card: $300 Member $400 Non-Member Check: $325 Member $425 Non-Member |
Credit Card: $275/$385 Check: $300/$410 |
5 years |
| Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) | NLN | $400 Member $500 Non-Member |
$350 Member $450 Non-Member |
5 years |
| Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN) | ABOHN | $400 Exam + $150 Application | $150 | 1 year |
| Certified Occupational Health Nurse-Specialist (COHN-S) | ABOHN | $400 Exam + $150 Application | $150 | 1 year |
| Certified Ostomy Care Nurse (COCN) | WOCNCB | $395 | $395 | 5 years |
| Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON) | ONCC | $296 Member $416 Non-Member |
ONC-PRO: $340/$460 Test: $296/$416 Test and ONC-PRO: $396/$496 |
4 years |
| Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) | PNCB | $295 | CE: $65 |
1 year |
| Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse (CPON) (Renewal only available) |
ONCC | N/A | ONC-PRO: $340/$460 Test: $296/$416 Test and ONC-PRO: $396/$496 |
4 years |
| Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) | CCI | $395 | CE: $325 – $375 Exam: $395 |
5 years |
| Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA) | AORN | $550 | CE or Exam: $450 – $500 | 5 years |
| Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI) | INCC | $360 Member $500 Non-Member |
Exam: $535/$700 CE: $225/$350 |
3 years |
| Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) | ARN | $285 Member $425 Non-Member |
$320 Member $455 Non-Member |
5 years |
| Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) | WOCNCB | $395 | $395 | 5 years |
| Certified Wound, Ostomy Care Nurse (CWON) | WOCNCB | $395 | $395 | 5 years |
| Certified Wound, Ostomy, Continence Care Nurse (CWOCN) | WOCNCB | $395 | $395 | 5 years |
| Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) | AACN | $239 Member $344 Non-Member |
Exam: $170/$275 CERPS: $120/$200 |
3 years |
Other Nurse Speciality Certifications (E-S)
| Specialty | Certifying Body | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Renewal Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM) | NCC | $210 | $50 | 3 years |
| Gerontological | ANCC | $395 Non-Member $295 ANA Member |
$350 Non-Member $250 ANA Member |
5 years |
| Informatics Nurse | ANCC | $395 Non-Member $295 ANA Member $340 ANIA Member |
$350 Non-Member $250 ANA Member $295 ANIA Member |
5 years |
| Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB) | NCC | $325 | $100 | 3 years |
| Legal Nurse Consultant Certification (LNC) | AALNC | $350 Member $495 Non-Member |
$300 Member $445 Non-Member |
5 years |
| Low Risk Neonatal Intensive Care (RNC-LRN) | NCC | $325 | $100 | 3 years |
| Maternal Newborn Care (RNC-MNN) | NCC | $325 | $100 | 3 years |
| Medical-Surgical Nurse | ANCC | $395 Non-Member $2950 ANA Member |
$350 Non-Member $250 ANA Member |
5 years |
| Neonatal Pediatric Transport (C-NPT) | NCC | $210 | $50 | 3 years |
| Nurse Executive Advanced (NEA-BC) | ANCC | $295 Member $395 Non-Member |
$250 Member $350 Non-Member |
5 years |
| Nursing Case Management | ANCC | $395 Non-Member $295 ANA Member |
$350 Non-Member $250 ANA Member |
5 years |
| Nursing Professional Development | ANCC | $395 Non-Member $295 ANA Member |
$375 Non-Member $275 ANA Member |
5 years |
| Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) | ONCC | $296 Member $416 Non-Member |
ONC-PRO: $340/$460 Test: $296/$416 Test and ONC-PRO: $396/$496 |
4 years |
| Orthopaedic Nurse (ONC) | ONCB | $295 Member $410 Non-Member |
Learning Builder: $230 Member/$345 Non-Member Paper submission: $230 Member/$345 Non-Member |
5 years |
| Pain Management | ANCC | $395 Non-Member $295 ANA Member $340 ASPMN Member |
$350 Non-Member $250 ANA Member $295 ASPMN Member |
5 years |
| Pediatric Nurse | ANCC | $395 Non-Member $295 ANA Member |
$350 Non-Member $250 ANA Member |
5 years |
| Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN) | AACN | $189 Member $289 Non-Member |
Exam: $120/$200 CERPS: $135/$215 |
3 years |
| Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing | ANCC | $395 Non-Member $295 ANA Member $220 APNA Member $340 ISPN Member |
$350 Non-Member $250 ANA Member $250 APNA Member $295 ISPN Member |
5 years |
| School Nurse | NBCSN | $360 | $245 | 5 years |
Nursing Certification Bodies
Sponsored Online Nursing Programs
Sponsored
Earn a Master of Science in Nursing online from Simmons University.
- Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Preparation to pursue certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner
- Part-time, full-time, and extended plans of study
Earn an MS in Nursing online from Georgetown University.
- Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
- Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
- Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice
Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing
- The Wegmans School of Nursing is ranked among the top 100 nursing schools nationally, and is No. 6 in New York state1
- Part-time and accelerated tracks available
- Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP
Earn your MSN online from USC’s Top-Ranked School of Social Work.
- Prepares RNs to pursue board certification as family nurse practitioners
- Earn a CCNE-accredited MSN in as few as 21 months
- Choose from part-time and full-time study options
1 U.S. News & World Report, 2022 Best Nursing Schools: Master’s. Ranked in 2021.
Sponsored