Initial PCCN Certification

Congratulations! You have taken your first step toward becoming a certified nurse. By demonstrating you have mastered certain skills, knowledge and abilities, you can distinguish yourself as a leader at the bedside.

• PCCN Exam Content
• Initial Eligibility Requirements
• PCCN Initial Exam Fees

The Certification Exam Policy Handbook will provide you with detailed testing and policy information. The CCRN/PCCN Exam Handbook includes exam-specific information, including the PCCN application/honor statement and the PCCN test plan.

• Certification Exam Policy Handbook
• CCRN/PCCN Exam Handbook

Once you have reviewed all available information and are ready to sit for the PCCN exam, we recommend you submit your application online.

• Apply Online

PCCN Exam Content

• The PCCN exam is a 2.5-hour test consisting of 125 multiple-choice items. Of the 125 items, 100 are scored and 25 are used to gather statistical data on item performance for future exams.
• The PCCN exam focuses on adult patients only.
• Of the exam, 80% focuses on Clinical Judgment and is age-specific for the adult population.
• The remaining 20% covers Professional Caring and Ethical Practice; these questions may be asked about any age across the life span.

Initial Eligibility Requirements

• Current unencumbered licensure as an RN or APRN in the United States is required. An unencumbered license is not currently being subjected to formal discipline by any board of nursing and has no provisions or conditions that limit the nurse’s practice in any way. Candidates and PCCN-certified nurses must notify AACN Certification Corporation within 30 days if any restriction is placed on their RN or APRN license. If randomly selected for audit, you will be asked to provide a copy of your RN or APRN license — please do not submit with your application.
   
• Practice as an RN or APRN is required for 1,750 hours in direct bedside care of acutely ill adult patients during the previous two years, with 875 of those hours accrued in the most recent year preceding application. Clinical practice hours for the PCCN exam or renewal eligibility must take place in a U.S.-based or Canada-based facility or in a facility determined to be comparable to the U.S. standard of acute/critical care nursing practice, as evidenced by ANCC Magnet Status or Joint Commission International accreditation.
   
• Nurses serving as manager, educator (in-service or academic), APRN or preceptor may apply their hours spent supervising nursing students or nurses at the bedside. Nurses in these roles must be actively involved in caring for patients at the bedside (e.g., demonstrating how to measure pulmonary artery pressures or supervising a new employee or student nurse performing a procedure).
   
• The name and address of a professional associate must be given for verification of eligibility. A professional associate is defined as either a clinical supervisor (RN or physician) or RN colleague with whom you work. If randomly selected for audit, this associate will be asked to verify in writing that you have met the clinical hour eligibility requirements.
   
• AACN Certification Corporation may adopt additional eligibility requirements at its sole discretion from time to time. Any such requirements will be designed to establish, for the purposes of PCCN certification, the adequacy of a candidate's knowledge and experience in caring for the acutely ill.

PCCN Initial Exam Fees

Payable in U.S. Funds. Fees are subject to change without notice.