Revised PCCN Exam Launches Feb. 6, 2024

PCCN (Adult) – Direct Care Eligibility Pathway

Maintaining PCCN® specialty certification reflects your dedication to excellence as you provide direct care to acutely ill adult patients and their families.

Renewal Eligibility Requirements & Fees

PCCN Adult – Direct Care Eligibility Pathway

Renewal Eligibility Requirements & Fees

  • Renewal by Synergy CERPs

  • Renewal by Exam

The Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERPs) program encompasses a wide spectrum of learning topics and activities such as research activities, preceptorship, committee involvement, leadership responsibilities and volunteer activities. CERP learning topics and activities are listed in the PCCN Renewal Handbook – Direct Care Pathway.

Eligibility Requirements
  • An unencumbered license has not been subjected to formal discipline by the board of nursing in the state(s) in which the nurse practiced during the most recent renewal period and has no provisions or conditions that limit the nurse's practice. Provisions or conditions may include, but are not limited to, direct supervision of practice, drug administration limitations and/or practice area exclusions.
  • Completion of 100 CERPs is required, with a minimum of 60 CERPs in Category A and 10 each in Categories B and C, plus 20 in the category of your choice.
  • Clinical practice hours are required. Practice as an RN or APRN for 432 hours in direct care of acutely ill adult patients during the three-year certification renewal period, with 144 of those hours accrued in the 12-month period prior to the scheduled renewal date is required.
    • Eligible hours are those spent actively providing direct care to acutely ill adult patients – or supervising nurses or nursing students at the bedside of acutely ill adult patients, if working as a manager, educator, preceptor or APRN.
    • All hours must be completed in a U.S.-based or Canada-based facility, or in a facility determined to be comparable to the U.S. standard of progressive care nursing practice.
  • For complete eligibility requirements, refer to the PCCN Renewal Handbook – Direct Care Pathway

AACN Members

$150

Nonmembers

$230

Renew
For renewal by exam, you must meet eligibility requirements for renewal and successfully apply for, take and pass the exam before your scheduled renewal date. Refer to the PCCN Exam Handbook – Direct Care Pathway. for the current test plan and to the Certification Exam Policy Handbook for exam scheduling and testing information.
Eligibility Requirements
  • An unencumbered license has not been subjected to formal discipline by the board of nursing in the state(s) in which the nurse practiced during the most recent renewal period and has no provisions or conditions that limit the nurse's practice. Provisions or conditions may include, but are not limited to, direct supervision of practice, drug administration limitations and/or practice area exclusions.
  • Take and pass the PCCN Adult exam before your scheduled renewal date.
  • Clinical practice hours are required. Practice as an RN or APRN for 432 hours in direct care of acutely ill adult patients during the three-year certification renewal period, with 144 of those hours accrued in the 12-month period prior to the scheduled renewal date is required.
    • Eligible hours are those spent actively providing direct care to acutely ill adult patients – or supervising nurses or nursing students at the bedside of acutely ill adult patients, if working as a manager, educator, preceptor or APRN.
    • All hours must be completed in a U.S.-based or Canada-based facility, or in a facility determined to be comparable to the U.S. standard of progressive care nursing practice.
  • For complete eligibility requirements, refer to the PCCN Renewal Handbook – Direct Care Pathway.

AACN Members

$175

Nonmembers

$280

Renew

Handbooks

PCCN Renewal Handbook

Direct Care Pathway

  • • Detailed Renewal Eligibility
  • • Application Instructions
  • • CERP Category Descriptions/CERP Log
  • • Renewal Audit Information

Synergy CERPs Brochure

  • • CERP Requirements
  • • Categories A, B and C Examples
  • • How to Calculate CERPs
  • • Documentation of CERPs

PCCN Exam Handbook

Direct Care Pathway

  • • Detailed Eligibility Requirements
  • • Test Plan/Testable Nursing Actions
  • • Sample Questions
  • • Products for PCCN Exam Preparation

Synergy CERPs Overview

Following is a summary of how CERPs are categorized in the Renewal by Synergy CERPs program. The three categories (A, B and C) cover a range of topics organized by the Synergy Model. A total of 100 CERPs, with a minimum number in each category, is required. Click on a category below to access available continuing education activities.

Category A

Clinical Judgment, Clinical Inquiry

60 CERPs minimum

Category B

Advocacy/Moral Agency, Caring Practices, Diversity, Facilitation of Learning

10 CERPs minimum

Category C

Collaboration, Systems Thinking

10 CERPs minimum

Synergy CERPs Brochure

Explore

Active Renewal Options

At renewal time, eligible PCCN certificants may seek an active certification renewal option. Those certificants who no longer meet eligibility requirements may select an alternate option. Only one option may be selected.

PCCN Adult

Direct Care Pathway

Progressive Care Nursing

  • • For RNs or APRNs providing direct care to acutely ill adult patients
  • • Eligibility based on verifiable clinical practice hours and current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license
  • • Managers, educators, preceptors and APRNs who supervise nurses providing direct care may also be eligible

PCCN Adult

Knowledge Professional Pathway

Progressive Care Nursing

  • • For RNs or APRNs influencing care of acutely ill adult patients but not primarily or exclusively providing direct care
  • • Eligibility based on verifiable practice hours and current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license
  • • Nurses in roles such as educator, manager/supervisor, director, academic faculty or nursing administrator may be eligible

Alternate Options

Status change options for certificants who no longer meet renewal eligibility requirements for active certification. Only one option may be selected.

Inactive Status

  • • For nurses who don’t meet eligibility for active renewal but believe they may do so in the near future
  • • Available for up to three years from most recent certification date, during which time eligibility requirements (CERPs and/or practice hours) may be completed to allow reactivation
  • • If unable to renew active certification by the end of your Inactive Status period, you may move to Alumnus status

Alumnus Status

  • • For nurses who no longer work with or influence care of acutely ill adult patients but continue to work in nursing in another capacity
  • • Involves no practice hour or CERP requirements
  • • Renewable every three years

Retired Status

  • • For those retired and no longer working in a position requiring an RN or APRN license
  • • Involves no practice hour or CERP requirements
  • • Renewable every three years

Renew

A current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license, minimum number of clinical practice hours caring for acutely ill adult patients, and CERPs or exam are required.

Renew

Renewal Information

PCCN Renewal Handbook – Direct Care Pathway
PCCN Renewal Policy – Direct Care Pathway
Renewal Practice Decision Tree
Audits