PCNS - Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist

The Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist board certification (PCNS-BC) is offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for renewal only. The PCNS-BC a specialty credential for Registered Nurse Practitioners who provide care to children and families. Advanced practice PCNS-BCs may perform the following duties related to the nursing care of children and adolescents:

• Provide direct care

• Lead education and research

• Promote evidence-based changes in nursing practice

These pediatric nursing clinical experts work with patients under age 18 within the family, community and health system.

Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialists can no longer obtain the PCNS-BC certification. It is available for renewal only.

The PCNS-BC certification is valid for five years. The PCNS-BC certification by ANCC is only available for renewal. Nurses can renew this certification and credential every five years by maintaining their practice licenses and fulfilling the certification renewal requirements.

To be eligible for renewal, applicants must:

• Have an active RN license in any U.S. state or the legal equivalent in another country

• Have a current, active PCNS certification from the ANCC

• Complete 75 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

• Complete one of the 8 professional development categories 

• Pay renewal fee

The professional development component includes the mandatory 75 CE hours PLUS completion of at least one of the following 8 categories:

1. 75 CE hours in addition to the mandatory 75 CE hours

2. Academic credits: 5 semester credits or 6 quarter credits

3. One or more presentations totaling 5 hours

4. One Evidence-Based Practice (EBP), Quality Improvement Project (QI) or one qualifying publication or one Institutional Review Board research project, completed dissertation or thesis, or doctoral project

5. At least 120 hours as a preceptor for students in an academic program

6. Two or more consecutive years of volunteer service with an international, national, state, or local healthcare-related organization

7. 1,000 practice hours (not required to renew certification but option to fulfill professional development)

8. This certification is available for renewal only. The exam is not available.

PCNSs must complete the professional development section before completing the online renewal application. Alternatively, renewal applicants may renew by mail by sending a request to [email protected].

Renewal Fees

• Non-members: $375

• American Nurses Association (ANA) members: $275

• National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists members: $295

Steps to Renewal:

1. Earn CE for completed continuing education activities.

2. Add and track the activities in the ANCC online account.

3. Submit the renewal application online or by mail.

Renewal Handbook

The American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) also offers the following:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP-BC)

• Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS-BC)

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP-BC)

• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC)

• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC)

The Adult Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (ANP-BC) is only available for renewal.