PED-BC - Pediatric Nursing Certification

Pediatric Nursing board certification (PED-BC) validates the knowledge and skills of registered nurses  who have experience and demonstrated a passion for working in pediatrics. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers the PED-BC exam, accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certifications (ABSNC).

Eligibility Requirements

• Current RN license in any U.S. state or territory or legally recognized equivalent in another country

• Completed the equivalent of  two years of full time practice as a registered nurse

• At least 2,000 hours of experience in  pediatric nursing within the last 3 years

• 30 continuing education hours in pediatric nursing within the last three years

Completion Time: Candidates have 3 hours to complete the PED-BC exam

Cost:

• American Nursing Association Members: $295

• Society of Pediatric Nursing Members: $340

• Non-members: $395

All options include a nonrefundable $140 administrative fee.

Exam Format

The PED-BC certification exam consists of  150 questions, including 125 scored and 25 unscored pretest questions. Candidates have 3 hours to complete the exam and receive their results immediately upon completion. The PED-BC exam features pass/fail grading, with a maximum possible scaled score of 500 and a minimum passing scaled score of 350.PED-BC exam topics include:

• Assessment and Diagnosis: 43 questions (34%)

• Planning and Implementation: 37 questions (30%)

• Evaluation: 45 questions (36%)

Steps to certification:

• Go to the PED-BC exam website

• Click “Apply Online”

• Sign in or create a new account

• Complete the application

• List RN licenses held in all states

• Add any membership information to collaborating organizations

• Answer the eligibility questions

• Add CEU information

• Insert optional employer information

• Agree to the Statement of Understanding

• Input debit or credit card information

Applicants receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) upon approval. They must schedule and take the exam within 90 days of receiving their ATT.

PED-BC credentials are valid for 5 years. PED-BC holders may submit online renewal applications up to one year before expiration. To be eligible for renewal, applicants must:

• Hold a current, active RN license in any U.S. state or territory or the legal equivalent in another country

• Hold a current PED-BC certification from ANCC

• Complete 75 contact hours of continuing education (CE)

• Complete at least one of 8 professional development categories

• Pay renewal fee

The professional development component includes completion of at least one of the following 8 categories:

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

2. 5 semester credits or 6 quarter credits in pediatrics 

3. One or more presentations totaling 5 clock hours in pediatrics

4. Evidence-Based Practice (EBP), Quality Improvement Project (QI), Publication, or Research 

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

6. Two or more consecutive years of volunteer service with international, national, state, or local healthcare-related organizations. At least 1,000 practice hours in pediatrics

7. At least 1,000 practice hours in pediatrics

8. Pass the current PED-BC test

Cost:

• American Nursing Association Members: $250

• Society of Pediatric Nursing Members: $295

• Non-members: $350

Part of the renewal process requires 75 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). All CEUs must be directly related to the MEDSURG-BC’s certification role and specialty. At least 60 CEUs must be formally approved CE hours, meaning they must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Continuing nursing education (CNE) approved for nursing contact hours by an accredited provider or approver of CNE

• Continuing medical education (CME) approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits

• Continuing education hours approved through the Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education

• Sponsored by organizations, agencies, or educational institutions accredited or approved by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), or the Commission on Dietetic Registration

• Provided by one of these accepted agencies:

  • American Nurses Association (ANA)

  • American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)

  • American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)

  • American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)

  • American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM)

  • American Psychiatric Association (APA)

  • American Psychological Association (APA)

  • American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA)

  • Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)

  • National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH)

  • National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners (NAPNAP)

For a full list of ANCC accredited organizations,  visit the Find an Accredited Organizations page. 

PED-BC holders should Track Professional Development on the ANCC website as they complete each activity. Renewal applicants must use their account and complete the CE section of the Professional Development Record to document their CEUs. ANCC doesn’t accept certificates of completion in place of completing Professional Development entries.

The ANCC  provides several resources to help candidates prepare for the PED-BC exam, including: 

• Exam Blueprint 

• Study Resources

• Pediatric Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 2nd Ed

  • Cost: $27.95 ANA Members or $32.95 for non-members

• Pediatric Nursing Review and Resource Manual 3rd Edition with Addendum

  • Cost: $73.60 ANA Members or $92 for non-members

• Sample Test Questions

• Pediatric Nursing Role Delineation Study Executive Summary

The ANCC also offers the following certifications:

• Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification (AMB-BC)

• Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification (CV-BC)

• Gerontological Nursing Certification (GERO-BC)

• Informatics Nursing Certification (RN-BC)

• Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification (MEDSURG-BC)

• Pain Management Nursing Certification (PMGT-BC)

• Commission for Case Manager Certification (CMGT-BC)