Ready to earn your certification?
A PNCB certification is a mark of excellence that demonstrates to patients and families, employers, and the public that a nursing professional has a deep commitment to delivering the highest standards of care and achieving excellent pediatric patient outcomes. Join the more than 50,000 actively certified nursing professionals who hold a PNCB credential.
As a passionate health care provider, you dedicate every day to providing the best possible care to your pediatric patients. Whether you are treating a chronic or life-threatening illness, diagnosing the emotional well-being of a child, or simply providing kind words, you are at the center of their care. A PNCB certification is a clear pathway to improving the quality of patient care and enhancing your professional standing and marketability.
When you earn a PNCB certification, you earn a credential that you can be proud of, and that helps you better support patients, families, and your health care team. PNCB offers 4 types of certification exams.
Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)
Pediatric nursing: making a difference every single day.
Certified Pediatric Nurses (CPNs) use their skills, expertise, and compassion to provide optimal health care for children from birth through young adulthood. They work in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, schools, community groups, primary care offices, and subspecialty clinics. They work at the bedside and beyond as advocates, leaders, and team builders. The CPN exam validates the knowledge and experience of pediatric nurses beyond basic RN licensure. Tell your employer about no-risk testing if our No Pass, No Pay benefit is not offered where you work.
- Apply for CPN certification - live remote proctoring available!
Acute Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-AC)
Specialized education in action.
CPNP-ACs are passionate about optimal outcomes for infants, children, adolescents, and young adults with complex acute, critical, and life-threatening illnesses and make a difference across a continuum of care settings. These specialists work with patients, families, and interdisciplinary colleagues to provide the highest level of evidence-based acute care, often in the face of rapidly changing patient conditions. The CPNP-AC entry-to-practice exam is for the pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) who has graduated from a master's, doctorate of nursing practice, or post-graduate certificate program for acute care PNPs.
Primary Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-PC)
Promoting a lifetime of well-being.
From wellness visits and immunizations to assessing behavioral challenges, CPNP-PCs connect the care journey for pediatric patients from infancy to early adulthood within the context of family and community-based care. They apply their knowledge and skills to build a solid foundation of health and wellness that includes managing common acute and chronic conditions and educating pediatric patients and their families on preventative care strategies. The entry-to-practice CPNP-PC exam is for the PNP who has graduated from a master's, doctorate of nursing practice, or post-graduate certificate program for primary care PNPs.
Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist (PMHS)
Caring for vulnerable lives with knowledge and compassion.
Nursing professionals are heeding the call to improve access to emotional and cognitive health care for children, adolescents, and young adults. Despite the rising numbers of youth experiencing developmental, behavioral, or mental health (DBMH) conditions, a shortage of providers means long wait times or sometimes no access to care when kids need it most. PMHSs are skilled in working with children and experienced in screening, diagnosing, and managing common pediatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism and more.
- Apply for PMHS certification - live remote proctoring available!
All PNCB certifications are accredited by the prestigious National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and accepted for Magnet Recognition Program demographic data collection. Beware of other programs lacking accreditation.
