CCNS (Pediatric) - Acute/Critical Care CNS

  • Renewal Costs: $205-$250 or $310-$340
  • Renews every 5 years

COURSE FORMAT

Online
In Person

About

The CCNS (Pediatric) is an advanced practice certification from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) that shows the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) RNs' and APRNs' commitment to caring for acutely and critically ill pediatric patients. The CCNS (Pediatric) certification is currently only a renewal option for nurses who already hold CCNS credentials.

Course Format

Exam Format

The CCNS (Pediatric) exam is a 2-hour computer-based test with 100 multiple-choice questions. The test plan includes the following domains:

  • Clinical judgment (65%)

    • Cardiovascular (9%)

    • Pulmonary (9%)

    • Endocrine (3%)

    • Hematology, immunology, and oncology (4%)

    • Gastrointestinal (4%)

    • Renal and genitourinary (3%)

    • Integumentary (3%)

    • Musculoskeletal (4%)

    • Neurology (6%)

    • Psychosocial, behavioral, and cognitive health (5%)

    • Factors influencing health statuses, such as risk assessment, prevention, and wellness (6%)

    • Multisystem (9%)

  • Professional Caring and Ethical Practice (35%)

    • Advocacy and moral agency (4%)

    • Caring practices  (6%)

    • Response to diversity (3%)

    • Facilitation of learning (5%)

    • Collaboration (5%)

    • Systems thinking (6%)

    • Clinical inquiry (6%)

Candidates are also tested on validated competencies, skills and procedures appropriate for RNs or APRNs.

Completion Time: Candidates have 2 hours to complete the CCNS-P exam

Cost: 

  • Renewal by by Practice Hours or CE Points and Exam: 

    • $205 AACN Member / $310 Non-Member

  • Renewal by Practice Hours and CE Points

    • $250 AACN Member / $340 Non-Member

Testing Options

PSI Testing Centers administer on-site testing. Candidates may also opt for Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) to take the exam on their home computer or another computer, free from distractions.

Rescheduling, Cancellations, and Extensions

A candidate may reschedule or cancel the exam up to 48 hours before the scheduled exam. 

  • Log into the AACN customer dashboard

  • Click Certification to reschedule the exam

  • Click “My Certifications” and “Manage Appointment” 

  • Receive a rescheduling confirmation email with the new date and time

  • Refunds aren’t given for missed appointments

  • $100 applies when requesting an exam extension

In Person

Before the Exam 

  • Report to the PSI Testing Center at scheduled time

    • Candidates aren’t admitted if more than 15 minutes late

  • Complete guided check-in process with proctor

  • Show a current government-issued ID with a photograph and signature

    • Acceptable forms of identification include driver’s license, state identification, international travel passport or a U.S. Visa

    • Name must match the AACN record

    • No temporary or military identifications accepted

  • Leave forbidden reference materials and personal items in a secured vehicle

  • Follow proctor to assigned computer testing carrell

  • Enter social security number or AACN customer number

  • Follow on-screen instructions for logging in

  • Take a photograph, displayed on-screen throughout testing

Taking the Exam

  • Take the practice exam to get familiar with testing software

    • Time to take practice exam doesn’t count toward actual timed exam

  • Display a timer on-screen by clicking the TIME button on the screen's lower right-hand corner

    • Exam automatically ends when candidates reach the time limit

  • Answer questions that display one at a time

    • Question number appears on lower right-hand corner of screen

  • Click the appropriate answer choice located in the lower-left section of the screen

  • Click the forward arrow in the lower right corner to move to the next question

  • Click on back arrow to return to previous question

  • Leave a question unanswered and return to it later by bookmarking the question

  • Click on the double arrows to advance through all unanswered questions

  • Reaching the end of the exam triggers notification of unanswered questions

  • Return to the unanswered questions if time permits

  • Confirm the end of the exam

During the Exam

  • Candidates may not ask questions about the content

  • Testing center supplies a digital notepad to use as scratch paper

  • All computer screens, questions and printed materials are the property of AACN Certification Corporation and PSI and may not be copied

  • Breaks are considered part of the exam time and not compensated

  • Leaving the testing area unauthorized voids the exam

  • No smoking, eating or drinking during the exam

Online

Before the Exam

  • Log in to the AACN customer dashboard by clicking “Take Exam” or “Launch Exam” 

  • Perform the guided check-in process with a proctor, around 60 minutes 

  • Present a government-issued ID with a photograph and signature. 

    • Acceptable forms of identification include a driver’s license, state identification, international travel passport, or a U.S. Visa

    • Name must match AACN records

    • No temporary or military identifications accepted

  • Submit a captured photo of self and ID, and a scan of the room using webcam

During the Exam

  • No headphones, electronics, cell phones, tablets, notes or reference materials allowed

  • No chewing gum, smoking, food or drinks except for clear-bottled water 

  • No talking, whispering or mouthing 

  • Ensure face remains visible

  • Computer must rest on a desk or table

  • Hands must be placed on or above the workspace area

  • Logging in more than 30 minutes past scheduled exam time prevents access

  • Candidates may not ask questions about the content

  • Digital notepad provided as scratch paper

  • Add comments about a question by clicking the COMMENT button

  • Breaks are considered part of the exam time and not compensated

  • Leaving the testing area unauthorized voids the exam

Taking the Exam

  • Open exam in the secured browser that prevents access to other browsers, screen sharing, recording, copying or pasting and extended/dual monitors

  • Take the practice exam to get familiar with testing software

    • Time to take practice exam doesn’t count toward actual timed exam

  • Display a timer on-screen by clicking the TIME button on the screen's lower right-hand corner

    • Exam automatically ends when candidates reach the time limit

  • Answer questions that display one at a time

    • Question number appears on lower right-hand corner of screen

  • Click the appropriate answer choice located in the lower-left section of the screen

  • Click the forward arrow in the lower right corner to move to the next question

  • Click on back arrow to return to previous question

  • Leave a question unanswered and return to it later by bookmarking the question

  • Click on the double arrows to advance through all unanswered questions

  • Reaching the end of the exam triggers notification of unanswered questions

  • Return to the unanswered questions if time permits

  • Confirm the end of the exam

  • Report technical issues to PSI’s technical support line at 844-267-1017

After the Exam

CCNS-P exam results appear on-screen after completing the exam. A detailed report email arrives within 24 hours. A wall certificate arrives via postal mail approximately 3 to 4 weeks after receiving exam results.

Certification may be verified using the online Certification Verification system the day after the exam. Candidates also may request a letter verifying their certificate.

Renewal

The Consensus Model in 2015 determined that CCNS certifications would only be available as a renewal option for current CCNSs. Late or retroactive renewal is unavailable. A candidate must maintain renewal requirements before expiration.

If candidates allow their certifications to expire, they must meet the eligibility requirements for advanced practice adult-gerontology, pediatric or neonatal CNS exams, such as ACCNS-AG, ACCNS-P or ACCNS-N.

Candidates may renew up to four months before their current certification expires. They can access their AACN account by the following pathway:

  • Log into AACN account with the associated email or AACN customer number

  • Locate AACN customer number on the most recent renewal notice

    • Initial password is a candidate’s last name

  • Change password after logging in or click “Forgot Password”

  • Verify and update account information to ensure correct mailing address to receive the certificate

  • Verify and update the email address to receive renewal confirmation

Certificants who renew online receive their new CCNS-P certificate within 2 to 4 weeks.

Renewal Options

CCNS (Pediatric) certification renewal includes one of three options.

  1. Practice Hours and CE Points

  2. Practice Hours and Renewal Exam (plus Pharmacology CE)

  3. CE Points and Renewal Exam

Contact Points are a combination of informal and formal educational activities that provide contact hours, CE and optional activities, such as presentations, preceptorship and volunteer opportunities.

Certificants who don’t successfully pass the renewal exam must complete up to 15 CEs based on the lowest scored areas. To successfully renew, completion of the CEs must occur after the renewal exam but before the expiration of the certification.

Option 1: Practice Hours and CE Points

Renewal Eligibility

  • Maintain a current, valid, unrestricted and unencumbered RN or APRN license

  • Notify AACN Certification Corporation within 30 days of nursing license provisions or conditions

    • Documentation of provisions and conditions must be reviewed before approving renewal

  • Practice as an APRN for 1,000 hours during the five-year renewal period

    • Eligible practice hours include active CNS care of acutely or critically ill pediatric patients

    • A supervisor or professional associate must verify and provide documentation of practice hours

  • Complete 150 CE points, a minimum of 75 from Category I - Acute/Critical Care Education and 25 as Pharmacology CE within the five-year renewal period

  • Complete the CE Renewal Points Log

Option 2: Practice Hours, Pharmacology CE and Exam 

Renewal Eligibility

  • Maintain a current, valid, unrestricted and unencumbered RN or APRN license

  • Notify AACN Certification Corporation within 30 days of nursing license provisions or conditions

    • Documentation of provisions and conditions must be reviewed before approving renewal

  • Practice as an APRN for 1,000 hours during the five-year renewal period

    • Eligible practice hours include active CNS care of acutely or critically ill pediatric patients

    • A supervisor or professional associate must verify and provide documentation of practice hours

  • Complete 25 Pharmacology CE within the five-year renewal period

  • Complete the CE Renewal Points Log

  • Pass the CCNS-P renewal exam

Option 3: CE Points and Exam

Renewal Eligibility

  • Maintain a current, valid, unrestricted and unencumbered RN or APRN license

  • Notify AACN Certification Corporation within 30 days of nursing license provisions or conditions

  • Complete 150 CE points, a minimum of 75 from Category I - Acute/Critical Care and 25 as Pharmacology CE within the five-year renewal period

  • Complete the CE Renewal Points Log

  • Pass the CCNS-P renewal exam

Candidates who renew by practice hours, options 1 and 2 must:

  • Include active involvement in the direct care of all clinical nurse specialist roles as an APRN for a minimum of 1,000 hours during the five-year renewal period

  • Hours are eligible if spent caring for the pediatric patient population for which the certification is held

  • Practice hours may include hours supervising the acute/critical care practice of APRN students

Candidates who renew by taking the renewal exam, options 2 and 3 must:

  • Complete up to 15 CEs of their lowest exam score areas if they don’t pass the exam

  • CEs must be completed after the exam and before the certification expires to renew successfully

Cost: 

  • Renewal by by Practice Hours or CE Points and Exam: 

    • $205 AACN Member / $310 Non-Member

  • Renewal by Practice Hours and CE Points

    • $250 AACN Member / $340 Non-Member

Continuing Education

Certificants seeking renewal should consult the CCNS Renewal Handbook to review the CE Points Program requirements for each renewal option.

CE Renewal Points Program

Category I: Approved Programs

  • Meet the care needs of pediatric patients

  • Address clinical knowledge, skills and abilities utilized by a pediatric CNS

  • 25 CE points in Category I must be advanced practice pharmacology-based and appropriate for the licensed role and population

    • 60 minutes equals 1 CE point for programs that don’t specify pharmacology hours or don’t provide formal contact hours

  • Continuing Medical Education (CME) can’t account for more than 50% of the total points in Category I

  • Category I CE Points may be awarded for completing an academic credit course

    • One credit course is worth 15 CE Points

  • Eligible courses include but aren’t limited to:

    • Physical assessment

    • Anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology

    • Diagnostic tests used in acute and critical care settings

    • Concerns that regard the acute or critical care environment

    • Psychosocial or behavioral responses to the patient or family

    • Issues of the patient care environment

    • Therapies, interventions, or knowledge vital to patient management

    • Applied clinical research

Continuing education programs not approved include AACN chapter programs, clinical in-services, workshops and study modules.

Category II: Optional Activities

Optional activities may account for no more than 75 of the required 150 CE Points. In addition, Points in Category II aren’t required and activities required for employment aren’t counted.

  • Professional Publications: Number of awarded CE Points varies

  • Professional Presentations: 3 points per hour of a lecture, with a maximum of 9 CE Points awarded per year

  • Preceptorship or Volunteer Activities

    • Participating in activities that solve or prevent a complex problem or improve care across multiple departments, settings, facilities or regions: 10 points per activity per year

    • Participating in leadership responsibilities or committee involvement on a chapter or regional level: 30 points per committee per year

    • Leadership or professional committee involvement; governmental or health-related organizations: 30 points per committee, per year

    • Candidates must obtain a minimum of 80 hours per year of preceptorship activity before granting points

Related Certifications

  • Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Certification (Wellness through Acute Care) (ACCNS-P) certification is an entry-level certification from AACN for graduate-level clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) with an RN or APRN license

  • Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Certification (Wellness through Acute Care) (ACCNS-N) is an entry-level certification from AACN for graduate-level clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) with an RN or APRN license

  • Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) is a specialty accreditation designation for RNs with a diploma, associate's degree, BSN, MSN or a higher nursing degree.

  • The CCRN (Pediatric) and CCRN (Neonatal) certification accredits nurses that provide direct care to directly/critically ill pediatrics or neonatal patients.

  • CCRN-K (Pediatric) and CCRN-K (Neonatal) certifies nurses influencing the care delivered to acutely/critically ill pediatrics or neonatal patients but don’t provide direct patient care. 

  • Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-PC) accredits Master’s or DNP level primary care pediatric nurse practitioners.

  • Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-AC) provides certification to Master’s, DNP, or postgraduate certificate level to acute care pediatric nurse practitioners.

  • ACCNS-P (Pediatric) is an entry-level advanced practice accreditation for clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) who provide advanced nursing care from wellness to acute care of pediatric patients.

  • Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist (PMHS) is offered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) to develop additional skills, knowledge and career opportunities for pediatric primary care mental health specialists.

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Frequently asked questions

Where can I find resources to help prepare for the CCNS (Pediatric) renewal exam?

Candidates may utilize resources for the ACCNS-P and ACCNS-N exams to prepare for their CCNS (Pediatric) exam.

Is there a renewal extension if I fail to renew my CCNS (Pediatric) certification before the expiration?

No, you lose your CCNS (Pediatric) certification if you fail to renew on time. Candidates who allow their certifications to expire must meet the eligibility requirements for ACCNS-P certification instead.

Can I maintain my CCNS (Pediatric) certification, although it’s no longer offered to new certificants?

Yes, the Consensus Model in 2015 determined that CCNS certifications are still available as a renewal option for current CCNS (Pediatric) certification holders.

What can I do if I choose to take the CCNS (Pediatric) exam for renewal but fail?

Certificants who don’t successfully pass the CCNS (Pediatric) renewal exam must complete up to 15 CEs based on the lowest scored areas.

Can I count the chapter programs available from AACN toward continuing education renewal points for my CCNS (Pediatric)?

No, continuing education programs not approved for CCNS (Pediatric) renewal include AACN chapter programs, clinical in-services, workshops and study modules.

What other certifications does the AACN offer besides the CCNS (Pediatric)?

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) also offers the following:

  • CNS Wellness through Acute Care Adult-Gero (ACCNS-AG)

  • CNS Wellness through Acute Care Pediatric (ACCNS-P)

  • CNS Wellness through Acute Care Neonatal (ACCNS-N)

  • Acute Care NP Adult Gero (ACNPC-AG)

What organization offers the CCNS (Pediatric)?

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) offers the CCNS (Pediatric) for renewal only.