Nursing certifications are your stamp of approval that you are an expert in a certain specialty. It tells your employers and colleagues that you are very knowledgeable in your field and hold yourself to a high standard professionally. A certification signifies that you have not only the nursing experience and the expert knowledge, but also the commitment to continuing your education and a commitment to continuous learning in your field.
A nursing certification is earned after passing a rigorous proctored exam that is comparable to your nursing licensure exam. You don’t necessarily need to get a certification to work in nursing specialties, but it can be a wonderful step in your career. It could open up doors to promotions, land you a nice hourly raise, or earn you a bonus.
What's Needed for Nursing Certifications?
Before you’re eligible to obtain a nurse certification, you must first be a licensed or registered nurse, possessing an LPN or RN license. The exact eligibility criteria will differ depending on each certification.
Almost all certifications for nurses will require a few years of experience or a certain number of practice hours in a specific speciality. Some certifications require both. On average, most certifications will require at least two years of nursing experience. However, you can explore micro-credentials to earn training credit more quickly.
What Do Nursing Certifications Cost?
As you may have guessed, nursing certification fees vary depending on the certification and the certifying organization. In general, the exam fee is around $300.
Employers may pay for the exam cost upfront or reimburse you. You may also receive a one-time bonus for receiving the nursing certification. Find out how your unit rewards you by talking to your nursing manager.
How Can I Prepare?
Set yourself up for success by preparing for your nursing certification exam similarly to how you would prepare for the NCLEX-RN.
Try these tips:
- Take a review course specific to the certification.
- Use practice exams.
- Create study groups.
- Commit to a study schedule.
What's Needed for Renewal?
Renewing your nursing certification proves you still know your stuff. Because of this, you may be required to submit proof of continuing education hours or employment in the nursing speciality you’re certified in.
You’ll need to pay a fee to keep your certification active, similar to renewing a nursing license. Don’t let your certification lapse, or you may have to redo the entire process over again, including taking another proctored exam.
Top 8 Nursing Certifications for RNs
There is no one best certification for nurses. It’s all dependent on your goals, desires, career plans, and experience level. And remember — you must have a minimum amount of practice hours to be eligible for each certification. Wondering where you might put these new skills to use? Check out all the RN jobs available on our job board.
Before we get to our list, here’s a quick note on the General Nursing Practice Certification (RN-BC). Certification for this credential has been retired by the American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC). However, nurses who have already obtained RN-BC certification can renew it every five years and continue to use this designation.
For more information, explore our comprehensive article about RN certifications.
1. Nursing Professional Development Certification (NPD-BC)
Who it’s for: For entry-level nurses, the nursing professional development certification is a good option for RNs who focus on the NPD specialty. The nursing professional development certification exam provides a trusted assessment of your clinical training and skills once you receive your initial RN license. Learn more about NPD certification.
What you need: BSN degree or higher, plus an active and current RN license in the U.S. or a professionally recognized equivalent if you’re living outside the U.S. You’ll also need the equivalent of 2 years of full-time work as an RN. Additionally:
- Minimum of 2,000 clinical practice hours in NPD within the past 3 years
- Completed 30 hours of nursing professional development continuing education within the past 3 years
Cost: $295 for ANA members. $395 for nonmembers.
Renewal: Every five years.
2. Informatics Nursing Certification (NI-BC)
Who it’s for: The NI-BC informatics nursing certification is perfect for nurses who love working with technology, electronic health records, and communications. This specialty requires strong technical skills, the ability to adopt new innovations, project management skills, and the desire to analyze and communicate data. Learn more about NI-BC certification.
Earning NI-BC certification signifies you have a high level of competency in informatics. This makes you stand apart from your competitors when applying for that new job.
What you need: You must have an active and current RN license in the U.S. or a professionally recognized equivalent if you’re living outside the U.S. You’ll also need a bachelor’s degree and two years of full-time nursing experience. Within the last three years, you must have completed 30 continuing education hours in informatics nursing.
Practice hour requirements must be one of the following:
- Minimum of 2,000 hours in informatics nursing within the last 3 years
- Minimum of 1,000 hours in informatics nursing within the last 3 years and 12 semester hours in informatics
- Completed a graduate program with a 200-hour practicum in informatics nursing
Cost: $295 for ANA members; $395 for nonmembers; $340 for ANIA members.
Renewal: Every five years. Cost for renewal is:
- $350 for nonmembers
- $250 for ANA members
- $295 for ANIA members
Additionally, you must have completed 75 continuing education hours in informatics nursing within the past five years.
Learn more about how to become a nurse informaticist.
3. Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN)
Who it’s for: The critical care nursing certification is for nurses who work in intensive care units, cardiac care units, medical or surgical intensive care units, trauma units, or critical care transport. This specialty requires attention to detail, critical thinking, the ability to work well under pressure, and great communication skills.
Nursing certifications, such as CCRN, tell your employer and coworkers that you are dedicated to excellence in your care of critically ill patients and their families. Learn more about CCRN certification.
What you need: You’ll need an active, unencumbered RN license in the U.S. From there, you can meet eligibility through one of two experience pathways:
Option 1: The 2-year pathway
- 1,750 hours of direct care for critically ill patients in the past two years
- At least half of those hours completed within the last year
Option 2: The 5-year pathway
- 2,000 hours of direct care for critically ill patients in the past five years
- At least 144 hours completed in the year before you apply
Cost: $255 for AACN members. $370 for nonmembers.
Renewal: Every three years. Cost for renewal is $180 for AACN members and $285 for nonmembers. You have the option to renew with an exam or by continuing education requirements. Clinical practice hours in direct care of critically ill patients are required within the three-year renewal period.
Learn more about critical care nursing and view the latest jobs for nurses in ICU, ER, OR, and med-surg units.
4. Inpatient Obstetric Nurse (RNC-OB)
Who it’s for: The inpatient obstetric nursing certification is for nurses who love working in labor and delivery, antepartum, and postpartum. This specialty requires excellent decision-making skills, empathy and compassion, and good time management. This certification proves that you know your stuff and are an expert when it comes to all things obstetrics. Learn more about RNC-OB certification.
What you need: A minimum of two years of specialty RN experience in the U.S. or Canada. This must include at least 2,000 practice hours. Both practice hours and years of RN experience must be met. You must have worked in the obstetric specialty within the past two years.
Cost: $325 total. The exam itself is $275, and there is a $50 application fee.
Renewal: This certification must be renewed every three years. You can renew by taking a competency assessment or by completing the alternative maintenance option, which requires 50 continuing education hours. The cost is $100 for the assessment or $175 for the alternative pathway. Clinical practice hours providing direct care to obstetric patients are also required within the three-year renewal period.
Learn more about how to become an OB-GYN nurse and view the latest jobs for nurses in OB-GYN, mother-baby, and labor and delivery units.
5. Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Who it’s for: The progressive care nursing certification is for RNs who enjoy caring for adult patients who are acutely ill, regardless of the unit or location. These nurses work in step-down units, telemetry, emergency rooms, direct observation, and intermediate care units. Learn more about PCCN certification.
What you need: You’ll need an active, unencumbered RN license in the state where you practice. You must also complete 1,040 hours of RN practice related to the specialty within the past two years, with at least 260 of those hours completed in the year before applying.
Cost: $255 for AACN members and $370 for nonmembers.
Renewal: Every three years. You may either take a renewal certification exam or complete a sufficient number of continued education recognition points. Both options require an active, unrestricted RN license and practice hours. The cost is $150 for AACN members and $230 for nonmembers.
Learn more about working in a progressive care unit (PCU) and view the latest PCU nurse opportunities on our job board.
6. Holistic Nurse Board Certified (HN-BC)
Who it’s for: The holistic nursing certification is for RNs who enjoy health coaching, promoting wellness, and implementing holistic care modalities into their practice. This certification distinguishes nurses who take a whole-person approach to care, addressing patients’ physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.
What you need: An active, unrestricted RN license in the U.S. You must have 2,000 practice hours or one year of full-time holistic nursing practice in the last five years. You will also need 48 hours of continued education.
Cost: $100 qualification fee and $395 certification exam fee.
Renewal: You’ll need to renew this certification every five years. During that time, you must have completed 1,200 hours of practice. Renewal can be done either by retaking the exam or by fulfilling continuing competency requirements.
Learn more about holistic nursing.
7. Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)
Who it’s for: The pediatric nursing certification is great for RNs who enjoy caring for children from infancy through adolescence. This exam tests knowledge of pediatric conditions, health promotion, pediatric patient care, acute and chronic illness management, and psychosocial family assessment. Learn more about CPN certification.
What you need: An active, unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or its territories. You have two options for clinical hours:
- At least 1,800 practice hours in clinical pediatric nursing care in the past two years.
- At least five years of pediatric RN experience and 3,000 practice hours in pediatric nursing in the last five years. Of that, 1,000 hours must have been completed within the past 2 years.
Cost: $309, with a $45 discount for SPN members.
Renewal: Every year. You must maintain an active, unencumbered RN license and complete 15 contact hours related to your certification specialty. The cost varies from $69 to $210, depending on how early or late you apply.
Learn more about how to become a pediatric nurse and view the latest pediatric nurse opportunities on our job board.
8. Clinical Research Nurse Certification (CRN-BC)
Who it’s for: The clinical research nurse certification is for RNs who are committed to speciality practice excellence and wish to further their career in clinical research. The certification showcases competence and expertise in clinical research involving human subjects, knowledge of the RN’s professional role in clinical research, and the ability to apply skills ethically.
What you need: An active, unencumbered RN license and two years of nursing experience. You must have at least 4,000 practice hours as an RN in clinical research in the three years preceding your application. Unlike many nursing certifications, CRN-BC is not earned by taking an exam. Instead, you submit a professional portfolio demonstrating your expertise in clinical research, including continued education hours, activity points, and an exemplar.
Cost: $345 for IACRN members and $495 for nonmembers.
Renewal: Every five years. During that time, you’ll need to complete 4,000 hours of practice in a clinical research role. Renewal costs $300–$375, depending on your membership status.
Learn more about how to become a research nurse.
Additional Nursing Certifications for RNs
Looking for more certifications and courses for RNs? Explore the following options and click the links to learn more about each one:
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification (AMB-BC)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Case Management Nurse – Board Certified (CMGT-BC)
- Certification in Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing (CHPN)
- Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA)
- Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
- Certified Legal Nurse Consultant (CLNC)
- Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN)
- Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
- Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse (CWOCN)
- Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC)
- Legal Nurse Consultant Certification (LNCC)
- Med-surg certification (MEDSURG-BC or CMSRN)
- National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
- Nurse Coach Board Certified (NC-BC)
- Orthopedic Nurse Certification (ONC)
- S.T.A.B.L.E.
- Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN)
- Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)
Top 7 Nursing Certifications for LPNs
Nursing certifications for LPNs can help you reach that next step in your nursing career. Depending on where you work, earning certification in your specialty may provide you with a raise or allow you to work in additional areas of nursing. When you’re finished reading, check out all the LPN jobs and LVN jobs available now on our job board.
1. IV Therapy
Who it’s for: Being certified in IV therapy is perfect for LPNs who enjoy mastering IV insertion and want to be the expert in that field. This certification requires knowledge of operating IV pumps, an understanding of IV fluids, the ability to calculate various flow rates, and knowledge of IV pharmacology.
What you need: To qualify, you must hold an active LPN license in the state where you practice and successfully pass the certification exam.
Cost: $100 paid to NAPNES and $60 for testing.
Renewal: Every three years.
Learn more about IV certification and view the latest infusion nurse opportunities on our job board.
2. Long-Term Care
Who it’s for: The LPN long-term care certification is great if you enjoy working in rehabilitation, skilled nursing facilities, or long-term care facilities. This certification tests for competency in the nursing skills of both geriatric and long-term patient care, anatomy and physiology, and therapeutic diets.
What you need: You’ll need an active, current LPN license in the state where you practice, as well as a passing score on the certification exam.
Cost: $100 to NAPNES and $60 for testing.
Renewal: Every three years. Recertification costs $150.
Learn more about the benefits of long-term care jobs.
3. Pharmacology
Who it’s for: The pharmacology certification for LPNs tests your knowledge base of various medications, their implications, adverse reactions, and other medication considerations. Having this certification tells your employers and coworkers that your skills and knowledge of pharmacology are above the standard level required of LPNs.
What you need: An active, current LPN license in the state you are practicing in.
Cost: $100 to NAPNES and $60 for testing.
Renewal: Every three years. Recertification costs $100 for nonmembers and $50 for NAPNES members.
4. Wound Care
Who it’s for: The Wound Treatment Associate - Certified (WTA-C) is wonderful for LPNs who care for patients with wounds and ostomies. The exam tests your knowledge of acute and chronic wounds, pressure injuries, ostomy care, and continence disorders.
What you need: An active, current LPN license in the state you are practicing in. You also have two pathways for eligibility: traditional or experiential. Both require additional nursing education and clinical practice hours.
Cost: $250.
Renewal: Every five years.
Learn more about how to become a wound care nurse and view the latest wound care nurse opportunities available on our job board.
5. Nephrology
Who it’s for: The Certified Hemodialysis Nurse (CHN) and Certified Peritoneal Dialysis Nurse (CPDN) certifications can be a great fit for LPNs caring for patients with kidney disease requiring dialysis. These exams are offered by the Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology (BONENT) and test your knowledge across a broad range of topics, including renal anatomy and physiology, dialysis principles, and types of vascular access.
What you need: A valid LPN license, active employment in an End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) facility, and at least two years of nephrology experience as an LPN.
Cost: $235–$255, depending on whether you choose a paper-based or computer-based exam.
Renewal: To maintain BONENT certification, nurses must pay $65 annually or $240 prepaid for four years.
Learn more about how to become a nephrology nurse.
6. Hospice and Palliative Care
Who it’s for: The Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse (CHPLN) is for LPNs working in the hospice or palliative care specialties. Hospice nurses care for patients at the end of their life, and palliative care nurses focus on relieving symptoms and making patients comfortable. This exam tests knowledge of end-stage disease processes, pain and symptom management, and patient and family education and advocacy.
What you need: An active, unrestricted LPN license in the U.S. or its territories. You must have 500 practice hours in the past 12 months or 1,000 practice hours in the past two years.
Cost: $260 for HPNA members and $365 for nonmembers.
Renewal: Every four years. You must meet practice hour requirements as well as accrue sufficient points through professional activities.
Learn more about how to become a hospice nurse and how to become a palliative care nurse, and view the latest hospice nurse opportunities on our job board.
7. Correctional Health
Who it’s for: The Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP) is for LPNs who desire to advance their career, expand their knowledge base, and showcase their expertise in correctional healthcare. This exam tests your competence in National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) standards.
What you need: An active, unencumbered LPN license in the U.S. and the state you are practicing in. Eligibility requirements also state you should have a clean criminal record and display good character.
Cost: $230 (a $15 charge applies to mail and fax applications).
Renewal: This certification must be renewed every year. To qualify, you’ll need at least 18 hours of continuing education, including six hours focused specifically on correctional health care.
Learn more about how to become a correctional nurse and view the latest correctional nurse jobs.
Additional Certifications for LPNs and LVNs
- Certified Alzheimer Educator (CAEd)
- Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP)
- Certified Developmental Disabilities Nurse (CDDN)
- Certified in Infection Control (CIC)
- Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)
- Certified Urology Associate (CUA)
- Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS)
Put Your Certification to Work
Nursing certifications can put you at an advantage in the job market. And so can Credenza. Find out how we can match you with quality nursing jobs in a variety of specialties and settings.