CNeph(C) - Certified in Nephrology (C)anada

The Canadian Certified in Nephrology Nursing (CNeph(C)) certification is a professional credential for nurses specializing in nephrology, the branch of medicine that deals with kidney function, kidney diseases and their treatments. This certification is offered by the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) and demonstrates a nurse's expertise in nephrology nursing. It’s designed for RNs who provide care to patients with kidney diseases, including those requiring dialysis.

Eligibility

• Must be a registered nurse or nurse practitioner

• Supervisor and/or consultant must confirm specialty experience and endorse application

• Complete one of the following:

  • At least 1,950 hours of nephrology nursing experience in the past 5 years

  • At least 1,000 hours of nephrology nursing experience in the past 5 years and a post-basic nephrology nursing course of at least 300 hours within the past 10 years

Completion Time: Not provided

Cost: 

• Application Fee CNA Member: $570

• Application Fee Nonmember: $756

• Exam Fee (Proctored Online): $85 

• Exam Fee (In Person): $110

• Exam Retake Fee CNA Member: $365

• Exam Retake Fee Nonmember: $484

• All Application and Retake Fees include a nonrefundable $125 administration fee

• Applicable taxes added to fees

Exam Format

The CNeph(C) exam contains about 165 multiple-choice questions, with the following topics included:

• Renal Anatomy and Physiology (5-10%)

• Renal Disorders (15-25%)

• Kidney Disease Management (15-20%)

• Renal Replacement Therapies 

  • Peritoneal dialysis   (15-20%)

  • Hemodialysis (15-20%)

  • Renal transplant (15-20%)

• Advance Care Planning, etc. (5-10%)

• Pharmacology (5-10%)

• Adjunctive and Complementary Therapies (1-5%)

Candidates receive exam results via email 4 weeks after the final exam day of administration in the exam window in which they took their exam. CNA also posts results to the candidate's CNA account. 

Unsuccessful candidates also receive a Certification Examination Performance Report. Discounted exam retake fees (CNA Member: $365 or Nonmember: $484) are valid for 2 years for those who don’t pass the exam. After 2 years, they must pay the full exam fee to retake it.

Application Process

Candidates must apply through their CNA account during the two application windows.

• Create or sign in to CNA account

• Click “My Account” in the upper right-hand corner

• Select “Certification” tab on the left

• Select “Apply for Initial Certification”

• Select nephrology nursing

• Choose “Nursing Specialty Exam”

• Fill out remainder of application

• CNA contacts endorser to confirm application information and hours worked in nephrology nursing

• Pay fees using the confirmation email sent by CNA

• Receive eligibility confirmation

• Book your exam

The CNeph(C) must be renewed every 5 years. To qualify for renewal, applicants must:

• Be a currently registered or licensed nurse in Canada

• Have completed at least 2,925 practice hours in nephrology nursing

• Demonstrate they advanced their nephrology nursing knowledge through continuing education (CE) or retaking and passing the certification exam

Renewal Fees

• Renewal by CE - CNA Member: $317

• Renewal by CE - Nonmember: $420

• Renewal by Exam - CNA Member: $570

• Renewal by Exam - Nonmember: $756

• Exam Fee (Proctored Online): $85

• Exam Fee (In Person): $110

• Applicable taxes added to fees

Renewal applicants using CE to fulfill their requirements must complete 100 CE activities within the 5-year certification period. They must log their activities on the Continuous Learning for Certification Renewal form and submit it with their renewal application.

The CNA also offers the following certifications:

• Certified Nurse in Critical Care (C)anada (CNCC(C))

• Certified in Cardiovascular Nursing (C)anada (CCN(C))

• Certified in Medical-Surgical Nursing (C)anada (CMSN(C))

• Certified in Oncology Nursing (C)anada (CON(C))

• Certified in Pediatric Nursing (C)anada (CpedN(C))

• Certified in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing (C)anada (CPMHN(C))

• Emergency Nurse Certified (C)anada (ENC(C))