CCNS (Neonatal)

Maintaining CCNS® Neonatal certification reflects your dedication to excellence as a clinical nurse specialist caring for acutely/critically ill neonatal patients.

Renewal Eligibility Requirements & Fees

CCNS Neonatal

Choose one of the following renewal options:

  • Option 1 – Practice Hours and CE Points
  • Option 2 – Practice Hours and Renewal Exam (plus Pharmacology CE)
  • Option 3 – CE Points and Renewal Exam

Renewal Eligibility Requirements & Fees

  • Practice Hours & CE Points

  • Practice Hours, Exam & Pharma CE

  • CE Points & Exam

For renewal by practice hours and CE points, you must meet all eligibility requirements for renewal and submit your application prior to your scheduled renewal date.

Eligibility Requirements
  • A current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license is required. An unencumbered license is not currently being subjected to formal discipline by any state board of nursing and has no provisions or conditions that limit the nurse’s practice in any way. Nurses who do not hold an unencumbered license should email AACN at APRNcert@aacn.org.
    • Practice as an RN or APRN for 1,000 hours during the five-year certification renewal period is required.
    • Eligible hours must include active involvement as a CNS in the care of acutely/critically ill neonatal patients in the U.S. CNSs practicing outside the U.S. should contact AACN regarding eligible practice hours.
    • Contact information for your supervisor or a professional associate must be provided for verification of eligibility related to practice hours.
  • Completion of 150 CE Points, with a minimum of 75 in Category I (25 as Pharmacology CE), is required.
    • The CE Points program includes educational activities – both formal and informal – granting contact hours or CE, as well as optional activities such as presentations, preceptorships and volunteer work. CE Point topics and activities are summarized below and detailed in the CCNS Renewal Handbook.
  • For complete eligibility requirements, refer to in the CCNS Renewal Handbook.

AACN Members

$180

Nonmembers

$260

Renew

For renewal by practice hours, renewal exam & pharma CE, you must meet all eligibility requirements for renewal and successfully apply for, take and pass the renewal exam before your scheduled renewal date.

Eligibility Requirements
  • A current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license is required. An unencumbered license is not currently being subjected to formal discipline by any state board of nursing and has no provisions or conditions that limit the nurse’s practice in any way. Nurses who do not hold an unencumbered license should email AACN at APRNcert@aacn.org.
    • Practice as an RN or APRN for 1,000 hours during the five-year certification renewal period is required.
    • Eligible hours must include active involvement as a CNS in the care of acutely/critically ill neonatal patients in the U.S. CNSs practicing outside the U.S. should contact AACN regarding eligible practice hours.
    • Contact information for your supervisor or a professional associate must be provided for verification of eligibility related to practice hours.
  • Completion of 25 Pharmacology CE during the five-year certification period is required.
  • Successfully applying for, taking and passing the CCNS renewal exam before your scheduled renewal date is required.
    • Refer to the CCNS Renewal Handbook for the current test plan and the Certification Exam Policy Handbook for exam scheduling and testing information.
  • For complete eligibility requirements, refer to the CCNS Renewal Handbook.

AACN Members

$200

Nonmembers

$305

Renew

For renewal by CE Points and renewal exam, you must meet all eligibility requirements for renewal and successfully apply for, take and pass the renewal exam before your scheduled renewal date.

Eligibility Requirements
  • A current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license is required. An unencumbered license is not currently being subjected to formal discipline by any state board of nursing and has no provisions or conditions that limit the nurse’s practice in any way. Nurses who do not hold an unencumbered license should email AACN at APRNcert@aacn.org.
  • Completion of 150 CE Points, with a minimum of 75 in Category I (25 as Pharmacology CE), is required.
    • The CE Points program includes informal learning and formal educational activities granting contact hours or CE, as well as optional activities such as presentations, preceptorships and volunteer work. CE Point topics and activities are summarized below and detailed in the CCNS Renewal Handbook.
  • Successfully applying for, taking and passing the CCNS renewal exam before your scheduled renewal date is required.
    • Refer to the CCNS Renewal Handbook for the current test plan and the Certification Exam Policy Handbook for exam scheduling and testing information.
  • For complete eligibility requirements, refer to the CCNS Renewal Handbook.

AACN Members

$200

Nonmembers

$305

Renew

Handbooks

CCNS Renewal Handbook

  • • Detailed Renewal Eligibility
  • • Application Instructions
  • • CE Point Categories/Log
  • • Renewal Audit Information

Exam Policy Handbook

  • • Recognition of Certification
  • • Use of the Credential
  • • Name and Address Changes
  • • Code of Ethics/Upholding the Value of Certification

CE Points Program Overview

Following is an overview of categories in the CE Points program. A total of 150 CE Points, with a minimum of 75 in Category I (25 as Pharmacology CE), is required. Category II activities are optional but may account for up to 75 of the required CE Points. 

Category I

Acute Care Education

Programs granting CE or CME, academic courses and informal CE programs

Minimum 75 CE Points

Category II

Optional Activities

Includes professional publications, presentations, preceptorship and volunteer activities

Minimum 0 CE Points

For details about the CE Points Program, refer to the CCNS Renewal Handbook.

Explore

Renew

A current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license and a combination of practice hours, CE Points and/or renewal exam are required.

Renew

Renewal Information

CCNS Renewal Handbook
CCNS Renewal Policy
Audits