CCTN - Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse

Healthcare professionals who specialize in transplant nursing care work with clients during the organ donation process. This may include diseases that can be treated with a solid organ donation and conditions that rise from the organ donation itself.

The Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse (CCTN) certification is offered by the American Board for Transplant Certification (ABTC). This certification is relevant for nurses with knowledge and skills in caring for solid organ transplant clients across the lifespan.

Cost

• Application fee: $150, non-refundable

• Exam fee: $350

• There is an additional $225 fee for international candidates.

Applicants for the CCTN exam must register online through the American Board for Transplant Certification (ABTC) website or submit a paper form located in the ABTC Handbook. The exam format is a computer-based test (CBT) with 175 multiple-choice items.

To be eligible for the CCTN certification exam, you must meet the following prerequisites:

• Current licensure as an RN.

• Completion of 12 months of generalized RN experience.

• Completing an additional 12 months of transplant nursing experience.

The CTCN certification is valid for three years. A recertification fee of $395.00 or $495 for dual credentials is required.

To renew the certification, the nurse must fulfill the following items:

• Current certification.

• Current RN licensure.

• Completion of the CCTN certification exam or

• Completing 60 Continuing Education Points for Transplant Certification (CEPTCs) within the three-year period.

Professionals who hold two certifications through the ABTC are required to complete 90 CEPTCs.

A minimum of 20 CEPTCs submitted in Category 1 must be earned by completing one or more of the following activities:

• Attending continuing education programs approved by ABTC.

• Writing test questions for certification exams – based on the question's cognitive level, you can earn one to five CEPTCs per question (requires approval by ABTC). 

• Completion of CEPTC offerings in the Progress in Transplantation journal.

• ABTC committee membership.

The ATCB offers resources for exam candidates, including:

• Candidate Handbook, that includes a content outline

• Recertification Guidelines

The nurse seeking additional verification of skills in the clinical transplantation specialty may also observe the following certifications offered by the ATCB:

• Certified Procurement Transplant Coordinator (CPTC): Candidates must complete 12 months of work experience as a vascular organ procurement coordinator.

• Certified Clinical Transplant Coordinator (CCTC): Candidates must complete 12 months of clinical vascular organ coordinator work experience.