The Certified Pediatric Nurse Certification Exam (CPN) is a pediatric nursing certification administered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. It evaluates health promotion, physical assessment, psychosocial assessment, acute and chronic care, child and family-centered care, professional responsibilities, and applied pediatric nursing decision-making.
Candidates who typically pursue the Certified Pediatric Nurse credential include pediatric nurses working as direct caregivers, charge nurses, educators, consultants, advocates, care coordinators, or administrators. This FAQ explains exam format, scoring, renewal, readiness, preparation strategy, and ethical use of simulation-based practice.
Key exam facts include:
- Exam length: 180 minutes
- Question count: 175 multiple-choice items; 150 scored and 25 non-scored pretest items
- Passing score: 400 scaled score on a 200 to 800 scale
- Delivery: PSI testing centers and live remote proctoring
