CNLCP - Certified Nurse Life Care Planner

The Certified Nurse Life Care Planner (CNLCP) certification is a professional credential for registered nurses (RNs) specializing in life care planning. This certification, administered by the Universal Life Care Planner Certification Board  (ULCPCB) on behalf of the American Association of Nurse Life Care Planners (AANLCP), validates a nurse's expertise in developing life care plans for individuals who have experienced catastrophic injuries or have chronic health needs. The CNLCP credential demonstrates proficiency in assessing long-term needs, costs and resources for optimal care throughout the lifespan of the individual.

Eligibility

• Active, unrestricted RN licensure, valid for at least the last 3 years prior to application

• At least 2,000 paid practice hours of experience in life care planning or directly related tasks

• Completion of 120 continuing education units related to life care planning or verification of 2 years of life care planning experience in the 5 years preceding application

Completion Time: 4 hours

Cost: 

• Exam Fee AANLCP Members: $470

• Exam Fee Nonmembers: $570

• Exam Retesting Fee: $265

• Exam Fees include a nonrefundable $75 administrative fee

• Fees must be paid by credit card

Exam Format

The CNLCP exam is a computerized exam with 250 multiple-choice/objective questions. Candidates have 4 hours to complete the exam. Topics and weight of each topic on the exam include the following:

• Life Care Planning (35%)

• Spinal Cord Injuries (10%)

• Burns and Amputations (10%)

• Neonatal and Pediatric Injuries/Illnesses (8%)

• Chronic Pain (10%)

• Life Care Plan Construction (15%)

Candidates receive notification via email of whether they passed or failed within approximately 2 to 3 weeks of taking the exam. Unsuccessful candidates may retest no more than 2 times and must wait 2 months in between attempts. Candidates must file a new application and pay a retesting fee each time. After 3 failed attempts, candidates must take and pass a formal Board-approved life care planning course.

Application Process

• Completed CNLCP Exam Application

• Copy of current, unrestricted RN license

• Copy of nursing resume or CV

• Proof of completion of 120 CE units in life care planning or 2 years full-time, paid work experience in life care planning in the last 5 years

• Full payment of fees

The CNLCP certification must be renewed every 5 years by:

• Completing an Application for Recertification

• Submitting appropriate documentation supporting the completion of the ULCPCB’s recertification criteria

  • Retaking and passing the CNLCP exam

  • Completing continuing education (CE)

• Submitting recertification fee

Completed applications and fees must be submitted no later than the first day of the month preceding the expiration date. Applicants must have maintained active, unrestricted RN licensure throughout the entire 5-year certification period.

Renewal Fees

• Recertification by Exam (AANLCP Members): $445

• Recertification by Exam (Nonmembers): $545

• Recertification by CE (AANLCP Members): $395

• Recertification by CE (Nonmembers): $495

• Late Recertification (within 30 days of expiration) AANLCP Members: $595

• Late Recertification (within 30 days of expiration) Nonmembers: $695

• Fees must be paid by credit card

CE is one of two options for recertification of the CNLCP credential. Using this route, applicants must complete 60 CE units related to nurse life care planning or complete at least 12 academic semester credits of nursing coursework related to nurse life care planning at the applicant’s current level of nurse licensure or higher. 

• CNLCP Handbook

• References

• Education Resources

Other related certifications include:

• Home Care Clinical Specialist - OASIS (HCS-O)

• Home Care Coding Specialist - Diagnosis (HCS-D)

• Certificate for OASIS Specialist - Clinical (COS-C)

• DDNA Certified Developmental Disabilities Nurse (CDDN)