CUA - Certified Urologic Associate

The Certified Urologic Associate (CUA) is a professional certification for healthcare professionals who assist in the care and treatment of urologic patients. This certification, administered by the Certification Board for Urologic Nurses and Associates (CBUNA), validates the knowledge and skills required to provide support in urologic practices. It is designed for non-licensed healthcare workers such as medical assistants, urologic associates, patient care technicians, and others who work under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider in urology settings.

Completion Time: Single session exam

Cost:

• Exam fee: $295 for Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA) members and $390 for non-members.

• Re-take fee: $195 for SUNA members and $290 for non-members.

Exam Format

The CUA exam includes 150 multiple-choice questions covering a range of topics in urologic care, including basic anatomy and physiology, common urologic conditions, patient care, and diagnostic procedures.

The exam assesses knowledge and skills pertinent to urologic patient care and support. A passing score is 72%.

Current Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) licensure in the U.S. or its territories and a minimum of 1 year of urology nursing experience.

CUA certification typically requires renewal every 3 years. Renewal fee is $150 for SUNA members and $175 for non-members.

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

• Current LPN/LVN licensure in the U.S. or its territories.

• Minimum of 800 hours of urological practice experience during the previous 3-year certification period.

• Completion of one pathway of knowledge validation: Examination or CE hours.

The practice experiences may be direct or indirect settings to include acute or long-term care, clinics/offices, home care/community health, surgery, education, research, and administration.

Recertification for the CUA is available via two pathways: Examination or Continuing Education (CE) hours. 

• To recertify by examination, the nurse will take the most current certification examination for initial certification.

• To qualify for recertification by contact hours, a candidate must submit 36 contact hours specific to urologic care.

The CBUNA audits approximately 10% of recertification applications to verify CE and employment practice hours.

Specific CE requirements typically include courses or training related to urology, patient care, and medical procedures.

Detailed records of these activities must be maintained and submitted during the renewal process.

For authoritative and detailed information on Certified Urologic Associate certification, including application guidelines, exam preparation materials, and renewal processes, it is recommended to consult the website or contact the office of the Certification Board for Urologic Nurses and Associates (CBUNA).

The CBUNA offers exam resources for candidates, including:

• Exam Blueprint

• Reading List, Exam Preparation List, and Exam Preparation Guide for a fee

Career Opportunities

CUAs work in various settings including urology clinics, hospitals, surgical centers, and research facilities.

Their role includes assisting in patient care, managing patient data, and supporting diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

The CBUNA also offers the following certifications:

• Certified Urologic Registered Nurse (CURN)

• Certified Urologic Nurse Practitioner (CUNP)