SANE-P - Certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner-Pediatric

The International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) offers the Certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner - Pediatric (SANE-P) through the Commission for Forensic Nursing Certification (CFNC). This certification demonstrates professional commitment and a firm desire to provide quality patient care in extremely challenging situations. 

Forensic nurses provide specialized long or short-term care for patients associated with violence or victimization. Becoming a certified SANE-P demonstrates to patients, employers, and the public that you take these challenges seriously and have the refined knowledge and critical thinking skills to provide supportive and effective patient care.

Exam fees depend on when you apply to take the exam and whether you are a member of the IAFN. Tests are offered twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall.

Test Dates

April 1 - April 30 or September 1- September 30 of the calendar year

Test Fees

• IAFN members: $275, or $455 for late filing

• Non-members: $425, or $605 for late filing

• International members: $350, or $530 for late filing

• International non-members: $475, or $655 for late filing

Re-testing Fees

• IAFN members: $150, or $330 for late filing

• Non-members: $250, or $430 for late filing

• International members: $275, or $455 for late filing

• International non-members: $375, or $555 for late filing

Nurses who hope to sit for the SANE-P certification exam must first complete an accredited 40-hour SANE didactic course. It is also required that you complete a SANE clinical preceptorship To gain experience and knowledge. IAFN offers online training for those who hope to take the SANE-P certification exam. These courses range in price from $450 - $600. 

The SANE-P exam consists of 200 questions, with 150 scored and 50 unscored. You have four hours to complete it.

To be eligible for the SANE-P exam, you must meet the following criteria: 

• Hole an active and unrestricted RN license in the US or an active, unrestricted license as a first-level nurse in the country of practice

• Have at least 3 years of experience practicing as an RN or a first-level general nurse in the country of practice

• Complete a pediatric/adolescent sexual assault nurse examiner program with a minimum of 40 hours of continuing nursing education contact hours OR 40 hours of academic course work from an accredited institution OR a combined adult/adolescent/pediatric program with a minimum of 64 hours of continuing education credit or academic coursework

• Complete a sexual assault nurse examiner preceptorship in clinical practice

• Have a minimum of 300 hours as a sexual assault examiner within the past 3 years with at least 200 of those hours focused on prepubertal patients

You must submit your application online, and you must pay the fee for your application to be processed. 

After the IAFN reviews your application, you will get an email from its testing partner, about 30 days before your testing window. This email will allow you to give you your username and password to enter the scheduling system online. Scantron offers both on-site and live-remote proctoring.

You will need to renew this certification every three years, and it expires on December 31 or the third year. The IAFN sends reminder notices via email, and you must submit all renewal materials by the deadline date.  

You need 45 contact hours to renew, with a minimum of 30 in Category A and at least 12 from an approved or accredited nursing continuing education provided. Category A includes attending peer review meetings, seminars, conventions, conferences, workshops, and webinars. For more information, see the IAFN Renewal Handbook.

Renewal Fees:

Early Renewal

• Applications received by April 30 of the calendar year

• $175 for IAFN members and $325 for non-members

Regular

• Applications received between May 1 - November 1 of the calendar year

• $275 for IAFN members and $425 for non-members

Late Renewal Fees

• Applications received between November 2 - November 15 of the calendar year

• $455 for IAFN members and $605 for non-members

The IAFN has a lot of resources available online, including a candidate handbook with a reference list and content outline, a certification checklist, and approved SANE courses.

If you work in forensic nursing and commonly treat both adult and pediatric patients, you might consider the Sexual Assault Examiner - Adult (SANE-A) certification.