2
Dear CPNP-PC,
Congratulations on belonging to a community of 20,000+ CPNP-PCs! You’ve met a rigorous standard
to add those letters behind your name. We’re here to help you understand the process to maintain
this respected credential you worked hard to earn.
Being a CPNP-PC represents more than passing an exam; it’s part of your deep commitment to
staying up to date in pediatric healthcare.
This guide shares information to help you feel confident in your choice of recertification methods and activities. If you have
any questions along the way, please contact the PNCB team at recert@pncb.org
or 1-888-641-2767.
Thank you for maintaining your CPNP-PC certification as part of your professional journey.
Sincerely,
Sheri Sesay-Tuffour, PhD, CAE, ICE-CCP, CNED
PNCB Chief Executive Officer
About Recertification
Recert, renewal, maintenance, recertification… no matter the name, all certification boards require a process to document
how you are maintaining competence in practice. CPNP-PC recertification is annual, keeping costs and requirements
manageable.
Practice hours are not required for recertification. If you need contact hours to recertify, PNCB’s Marketplace
offers CE
modules, and some are free. In-depth Pediatric Updates modules (7.5 contact hours each) required during your 7-year cycle
(see page 9) are always available.
When to Recertify
You recertify every year during an open enrollment period between November 1 and January 31
before the expiration date on your online wallet card. You pick which day of open enrollment to
recertify using PNCB’s online application.
To maintain your certification for 2025, you will need to document completed activities on PNCB’s
online recertification application no later than January 31, 2025 to avoid a late fee.
Avoid the late fee: A $100 late fee is added to your fees if you wait to recertify between February 1
and February 28.
Annual recertification keeps costs manageable and your contact information current, so you don’t
miss important reminders. As a courtesy, PNCB will send you a postcard, email, text, and robocall
reminders unless you opt out. It is your responsibility to keep your contact information up to date.
Newly Certified?
You will recertify the next calendar year after passing the initial certification exam. For example, if you pass the initial PNCB
board exam in June 2024, you do not recertify that fall/winter. Your first year to recertify will be during the next enrollment
window of November 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026 (or February 1 to 28, 2026 with a late fee).
Regardless of when you became certified, the expiration date on your wallet card will be February 28.
3
Mapping Your Activities
For each recertification activity (e.g., practice hours, CE, PPL) that you add to your application, you will select one of six competency
roles that best align with each activity. These 6 pediatric RN role-based competency areas are found in PNCB’s
Competency
Framework for Pediatric Nurses, showing how pediatric nurses progress in their professional role over time.
PNCB has completed research to develop a Pediatric NP Competency Framework that encompasses CPNP-PC and CPNP-AC
practice, and the PNP competency roles will be added to the application in the coming years. For this year, you are being asked
to map your recertification activities using the pediatric RN roles as defined below.
There is no requirement to use all competency areas during your recertification cycle. PNCB is collecting this information to
further understand how pediatric nursing professionals maintain and gain competence.
Need more information? Contact us at [email protected].
Example:
As an example, if you are utilizing PNCB’s CE module about anticipatory guidance in adolescence you can map that to the educator role since
anticipatory guidance involves educating children and their families.
Advocate
Clinician
Collaborator
Educator
Innovator Leader
Competency Area: Advocate
Definition: The pediatric nurse advocate acts on behalf of patients and families, nurses, communities, and self to improve,
influence, and transform patient care, healthcare systems, the nursing profession, and social and political health-related policy.
Competency Area: Clinician
Definition: The pediatric nurse clinician uses evidence-based practice, clinical judgment, professional engagement, and informatics
to provide safe patient- and family-centered care for diverse pediatric populations A pediatric nurse clinician engages in lifelong
professional development to build and maintain
Competency Area: Collaborator
Definition: The pediatric nurse collaborator builds relationships with patients, families, and the team in order to identify needs and
goals and incorporates these into decision-making processes. A pediatric nurse collaborator works with interprofessional
colleagues to assist in meeting optimal patient goals.
Competency Area: Education
Definition: The pediatric nurse educator is engaged in the process of knowledge transfer at all levels or practice over the care
continuum while tailoring approaches to the needs of specific target audiences to achieve optimal outcomes.
Competency Area: Innovator
Definition: The pediatric nurse innovator creates or adopts new methods, ideas, or products through creative solutions and
generates new knowledge through scientific inquiry.
Competency Area: Leader
Definition: The pediatric nurse leader develops relationships and uses systems thinking in the workplace to guide and influence
nurses and the profession, resulting in improvements in the provision of care and health outcomes.
4
Table of Contents
How to Recertify Quick Guide >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>> 5
Requirements >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 6
What is the 7-year cycle? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 7
Methods to Meet Requirements >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 7
Fees >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 9
Details about Recert Methods
Pediatric Updates Modules >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 9
Accredited Contact Hours (CE/CNE/CME) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 10
Accepted CE Providers >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 11
Pharm-specific Contact Hours >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 12
Practice (Direct or Indirect) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 13
Professional Practice Linkages>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 14
Academic Credit >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 16
Record Review Year >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 16
Tools & Tips >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 17
The Online Application >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 18
How Do I Know I Recertified? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>18
Your Wallet Card >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 19
Verifications for Boards of Nursing>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 19
Benefits & Discounts >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 19
Retirement, Audit, & Appeals >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 19
Ethics >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 20
Assistance & FAQs >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 20
5
HOW TO RECERTIFY CPNP-PC QUICK GUIDE
A current/active/unrestricted nursing license is needed to renew.
EARN 15
Before you can recertify, complete 15 contact hours (or equivalents that PNCB accepts).
Practice/work hours are not required but can count as a maximum of 10 toward the 15. Activities like
academic credit can be used too. PNCB accepts 15 hours earned through approved methods, as long as
they meet the following criteria:
Already earned
In the accepted date range
Accredited (if actual contact hours)
Not a refresher of PALS etc. or initial PALS etc. that has already been applied to past Recert
Relevant to CPNP-PC practice
INCLUDE 7-YEAR REQUIREMENTS
Plan for incorporating your 7-year cycle requirements as you recertify annually:
15 hours of pediatric pharm +
4 required PNCB modules (2 Primary Care, 2 of your choice)
Include the activities above within the 15 hours needed for each year. You decide when to incorporate
these requirements each year. The objective is to complete cycle requirements little-by-little over the 7-
year
period. We suggest you begin incorporating the module and pharm requirements by the third year at the
latest. “Primary Care” will be in the module title.
PNCB modules are available year-round with pharm modules readily available if you don't have access to
pediatric pharm elsewhere. Your personalized Recert Dashboard helps you track requirements.
Recertification happens when you complete the online application
with either your payment or a No Pass, No Pay code. Your receipt and
updated wallet card mean you are recertified.
IT’S ANNUAL
To recertify your credential, document your 15 hours via the online application between November 1 and
January 31 each year. You choose the day during this window. PNCB sends a postcard reminder, plus
emails unless you opt out of General Alerts. If you wish to receive courtesy reminders it is your
responsibility to keep your contact information up to date, and to be opted-in to emails, robotexts, and
robocalls.
• Avoid the late fee. A late fee is added if you wait to recertify between February 1 and 28.
• Newly certified? You will recertify the next calendar year after passing the initial exam.
The cost for Recert is in the range of $20 to $105* depending on the option you use to recertify.
*Cost
for 12/2024 to 1/2025. Late fee applies 2/1/2025 to 2/28/2025. Always check the website for current pricing.
NEED HELP?
Get outstanding customer service from recert@pncb.org. Our hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 am
to 5:00 pm. We respond during normal business hours. See the website for holiday closings. PNCB also
offers free CE if you need contact hours!
During Recert time, log in at www.pncb.org to complete your application.
6
RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
You will need to meet the following requirements on the application and over
each 7-Year Recert Tracking Cycle to maintain your PNCB certification.
1
Keep your license current, active, and unencumbered.
You are not permitted to maintain your certification if your license is inactive. You’ll document current
US, Canadian, or US territory RN or RN/APRN licensure on the Recert application. Email
recert@pncb.org if your license is placed on probation, suspended, or revoked and send a copy of
related board of nursing documentation. If your license becomes encumbered at any time, or you
have been notified by your state board of nursing of an investigation or complaint, you must
immediately communicate with PNCB. You cannot recertify until you communicate with us. You
must maintain an active license.
AND
2
Each year, document 15 completed contact hours or equivalent activities
accepted by PNCB that are related to the CPNP-PC certification specialty on an
online application.
You can also use 1 Record Review Year (see page 16) during each 7-Year Recert Tracking Cycle. The
following pages outline strategies for meeting the annual requirement of 15 completed contact hours
or accepted equivalents.
AND
3
Over a period of 7 years, document a total of 15 hours of accredited pediatric
pharmacology. These hours can count toward the 15 required each year. Learn more on page 12.
You can choose to complete PNCB’s Pediatric Updates to meet this requirement, which also meets the
requirement of completing 2 modules of your choice.
AND
4
Over a period of 7 years, complete required 4 PNCB Pediatric Updates
modules. Pediatric Updates are evidence-based online modules developed by PNCB and CPNP-PC
and CPNP-ACs. You decide when to order and complete them. Learn more about modules on page 9.
• You earn 7.5 contact hours after successful module completion.
• These contact hours count toward the 15 contact hours needed each year.
• PNCB assigns each CPNP-PC a 7-Year Recert Tracking Cycle. A new cycle begins every 7 years.
Below are the module categories you need to complete within 7 years. Log in and click Marketplace to
browse topics and order.
2 Primary Care modules (they will contain “Primary Care” in the title)
2 modules of your choice
TIPS
• Finishing a module is not the same as recertifying. You will still need to use the online Recert application to
officially tell PNCB that you want to apply a completed module to a recertification year.
• Modules must be completed to count. You must pass modules with a score of 70% or above.
• If you complete PNCB’s Pharm Pediatric Updates, they can count towards required pharm hours and toward
your choice/elective modules. This strategy allows you to address two requirements simultaneously.
7
Your 7-Year Recert Tracking Cycle
Although you will recertify with PNCB every year, to maintain your certification you will also complete 4 required PNCB
Pediatric Updates and 15 hours of pediatric pharmacology within a 7-Year Recert Tracking Cycle assigned by PNCB.
The 7-Year Cycle does not mean you recertify every 7 years. See page 7 for more about required Pediatric Updates
modules. Each year that you document contact hours from PNCB modules and pharmacology, those hours count toward
the 15 contact hours needed for that year.
You are also allowed one Record Review Year in each 7-Year Recert Tracking Cycle. Learn more about Record Review Year
on page 16. A new cycle begins every 7 years. Log in to your Recert Dashboard
to see where you are in your current 7- Year
Recert Tracking Cycle. Here are suggestions on managing your 7-year cycle:
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
Year 7
Get to know your
Recert Dashboard
early this year.
Check it at least
every spring. On this
year’s application,
document 15
completed contact
hours or other
accepted activities.
Haven't started
incorporating your
7-year
requirements? Plan
now to work some
in next year. Be
sure to have 15
contact hours of
activity completed
to document on this
year’s application.
On this year's
application,
PNCB
recommends at
least 1 required
module be
documented.
By now, PNCB
recommends at
least 2 required
modules
completed and
about 8 hours of
pediatric pharm
completed.
At this point,
PNCB
recommends 3
required modules
be complete.
Pediatric pharm
should be
nearing 10 hours.
Are your 4
modules
complete? Do
you have a
cumulative
total of 15 peds
pharm hours
from any source
PNCB accepts?
Already
documented your
7-year cycle
requirements?
Consider
documenting
Record Review
for Year 7 to save
time and money.
Details about Recert Methods
How should you meet the 15-contact hour requirement each year? You can choose any PNCB accepted options if you also
manage to complete and document your required 4 PNCB Pediatric Updates and 15 pharm hours per 7-Year Recert
Tracking Cycle. Policies for each method’s activity are described on the pages that follow.
How you stay current during the year can often guide your choices. The purpose of recertification is to document the
various ways you maintain current practice as a CPNP-PC. For example:
• Do you attend conferences or earn CE/CME online or at work?
• Do you work at least 200 or 400 direct patient care or indirect care hours in primary care pediatrics per year?
• Are you back in school seeking a higher nursing degree?
Activities must be:
• Completed before you start the application.
• Meet all specific policies, including the timeframe in which the hours were earned.
• Related to the CPNP-PC credential.
Tips:
• You do not have to use the same option each year.
• It doesn't matter to PNCB which accepted method you choose, as long as you meet 7-year cycle requirements.
• Early in the online application, PNCB will alert you to any completed date-valid Pediatric Updates. This will help
ensure you apply those completed activities and receive credit.
8
Choose 1 Method
Details
• You can apply a maximum of 2 modules per annual application.
• Completing modules is not the same as recertifying. You need to apply modules on
the Recert application for them to count.
• Use your Recert Dashboard to track these requirements. The Dashboard shows
statuses for the number and categories needed.
You have choices for
the 7.5 contact hours.
You will choose from
combinations at right.
You have choices for
the 15 contact hours.
You will choose from
combinations at right.
• Available to you one time per 7-Year Recert Tracking Cycle.
• To use this method, you still complete the Recert application to update your
information. You pay a reduced fee, but do not document contact hours or other
activity that year.
• You must be on track for 7-Year Cycle requirements. For example, you cannot use this
method for Years 6 and 7 if you have not completed your 4 Pediatric Updates and 15
pharmacology hours.
9
Fees – pricing subject to change
Recert Method
Early Bird Cost
Nov. 1 – 30, 2024
Cost
Dec. 1, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025
Late Fee Pricing
Feb. 1-28, 2025
2 Pediatric Updates Modules
$ 0
$ 20
$120
1 Pediatric Updates Module + 7.5 hours
of accepted activity
$45
$ 65
$165
15 contact hours of accepted activity
$85
$105
$205
Record Review Year – allowed once per
7-year Recert cycle
$65
$ 85
$185
Pediatric Updates
Developed by CPNP-PCs and CPNP-ACs, Pediatric Updates are self-paced learning modules and a required component of
your recertification. They feature updated knowledge of PNP practice.
Think of the modules as open-book evidence-based literature reviews. Collaboration is allowed.
• Each Pediatric Updates module consists of 35-40 questions that you answer online.
• You earn 7.5 contact hours accredited by NAPNAP each time you pass a module.
• These contact hours count toward the 15 contact hours needed each year.
Pediatric Update FAQs
What’s included?
Log in and explore available modules for an overview of what references are included for each
specific module. You also receive in-depth rationale for each question, plus you receive instant
scoring after completion.
What’s required?
In a 7-year period, you’ll complete 2 Primary Care modules and 2 modules of your
choice. For each of these required categories, you have topic choices. You must finish and pass a
module (with a score of 70% or above) to be able to apply it to your Recert application.
How do I get them?
Log in here to explore and order modules. You can order year-round. Modules cannot
be ordered on the Recert application with the promise to fulfill them in the future because the
application requires you to document completed activities.
When should I order and
complete them?
Ultimately you decide when to fulfill this requirement. Spring and summer are good
times for many CPNP-PCs to complete them. Key points to remember are that you have
150 days from purchase date to complete a module and 24 months to apply it to a
recertification application after completion. Note that the Recert deadline takes precedence over
your module 150-day expiration date if you need or want to use the module on this year’s Recert
application.
How do I recertify
with them?
After you pass a module, your CE certificate is processed within 72 hours and added
to your ReCErt Tracker. When you return to the website between 11/1 and 1/31 (or
between 2/1 and 2/28 with a late fee) to complete your online Recert application,
PNCB prompts you to apply any modules you passed. You have 24 months from the
date on your CE certificate to apply a module to a Recert application.
What if I don’t pass?
You receive a free retest if you do not earn a score of 70% or above. Your certification has not
lapsed if this occurs, but you must pass a retest to be able to apply the module to recertification.
Allow 72 hours for retest processing.
What if I have a question?
For content related questions, contact ce@pncb.org. You will have access to technical support while
your module is active
10
Accredited Contact Hours
Contact hours (also known as CE, CNE, or CME) are earned for participating in accredited
continuing education (CE) activities which you attend. One contact hour is equivalent to a 60-
minute educational program. Examples can include lectures, presentations, seminars,
conferences, online education, grand rounds if accredited CE is awarded, journal activities, and
in-services that award continuing education.
FAQs for Contact Hours
Are actual contact hours required? Not necessarily. You could use PNCB-accepted activities like practice hours, academic
credit, and Professional Practice Linkages (PPL) to count as contact hours.
When do I need to earn the hours? Contact hours must have been earned within 24 months preceding your
recertification application submission.
What content is accepted? Hours related to your certification specialty.
Do I need to send paperwork or CE certificates? Not unless selected for audit. PNCB is required to conduct random audits
of Recert applications. If your application is selected for audit, you will be asked to submit all supporting
documents. Please maintain copies of any supporting certificates and other documents for at least 24 months
after you recertify to satisfy any audit requests. Annual audit takes place during April/May after recertification ends.
Can I use PALS, PEARS, or BLS? Hours from programs such as PALS, PEARS, Advanced Pediatric/Cardiac/Trauma Life
Support, or Basic Trauma Life Support from the American Heart Association (AHA) or Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)
or the Emergency Nurses Pediatric Course (ENPC) are applicable only when earned from the initial course/certification,
not a refresher course, and accredited contact hours are awarded for completion/attendance. If audited, providing a
PALS, etc. card is not acceptable documentation. Only a certificate acknowledging awarded contact hours for PALs, etc. is
acceptable for recertification. The initial program may be applied to recertification only once.
What information do I type on the application? You will choose “Self-Reported” and type the name of activity, date
contact hours were awarded, accrediting body, and number of hours.
Can I enter a single aggregate “lump sum” entry for UpToDate, Audio Digest, Prescriber’s Letter, etc. and conferences?
Yes, however, if you are audited, you will need to provide your CE certificates and transcripts to document the pediatric
content.
What accrediting bodies must award the hours? PNCB accepts continuing education contact hours accredited
by the o
rganizations on the next page, among others. The accrediting body will be listed on your CE certificate. PNCB
reviews its list annually and has a process for adding new accredited CE providers.
What if the accrediting body on my certificate is not on PNCB’s list? If the organization that accredited or approved the
hours is not listed below/on our online recertification application, email [email protected]rg.
You will be asked to send your CE
certificate for review.
Tips
• Consider entering only the 15 hours required each year on the application.
11
Accepted CE Providers
• Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) - Category 1 - AMA
• American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
• American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
• American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
• American Association for Respiratory Care
• American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)
• American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE)
• American Association of Nurse Practitioners
• American Heart Association (AHA)
• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
• American Psychological Association (APA)
• Association for Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)
• International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET)
• International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE)
• National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN)
• National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP)
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
• National League for Nursing (NLN)
• Nurse Practitioner Associates for Continuing Education (NPACE)
• Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM)
• Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN)
• State Boards of Nursing (SBN)
• S
tate Nurses Associations (SNA)
The CE accrediting organization name is on the CE certificate, sometimes in fine print near the bottom. Look for language
like "approved by," "accredited by," or "accredited per."
What if the accrediting
body on my certificate is
not on PNCB’s list?
Email recert@pncb.org.
You will be asked to send
your CE certificate for
review.
12
Pharm-specific Contact Hours
Pediatric Pharmacology Hours:
CPNPs-PCs are required to complete 15 contact
hours of accredited pediatric pharmacology
within each 7-Year Recert Tracking Cycle.
Are actual contact hours required?
Yes. These hours can come from any accredited
source that PNCB accepts.
See the previous page for a list of
commonly used accrediting organizations.
When do I need to earn the hours?
You decide when to complete these hours
during each 7-Year Tracking Cycle but be sure to
document any hours on a Recert application
within 24 months of earning them.
Are PNCB’s Pharmacology Pediatric
Updates still available?
Yes, and if you complete these modules, each
will count toward your elective module
requirement and toward your pharm hour
requirement.
These scenarios at right can help you
maximize the activities you complete.
13
Practice Hours
Can count for a maximum of 10 contact hours – not required to recertify
Practice hours include direct or indirect care of the pediatric population that relates to your
certification specialty, whether paid or volunteer hours
. Documenting clinical practice hours can be
helpful when you do not have a chance to earn enough contact hours to recertify. Practice hours must have been
completed while holding active licensure for the state/territory in which the hours were performed.
• Direct care involves “hands-on” care of patients.
• Indirect care includes nursing roles that impact patient care and influence nursing practice through management,
teaching, research, or consultation.
How Practice Hours work:
• A minimum of 200 hours in the past 12 months counts as 5 contact hours
• A minimum of 400 hours in the past 12 months counts as 10 contact hours
You can combine practice hours with other PNCB-accepted activity to meet the 15 contact hours requirement. Here are
some scenarios you could use:
• 200 practice hours + 10 accredited contact hours = 15 hours for that year
• 400 practice hours + 5 accredited contact hours = 15 hours for that year
• 200 practice hours + 1 academic credit = 15 hours for that year
• 200 practice hours + 1 Professional Practice Linkage = 15 hours for that year
Options for Practice
If Non-faculty
May be direct “hands-on” assessment/clinical management of pediatric populations - OR -
May be management of other primary care advanced practice nursing personnel or students (NP or CNS) to help
achieve patient care goals (precepting does not count here; it’s in the PPL category on pages 14-15) - OR -
May be consultation or clinical education
If Faculty (Including adjunct)
May be direct supervision of primary care pediatric clinical hours with advanced practice nursing students in
primary care (NP or CNS) - OR -
May be teaching class time that awards accredited academic credit to advanced practice nursing students
If Research (Faculty or non-faculty)
May be IRB research related to the certification specialty for which you are a primary researcher does not need to
be a primary component of your employment
FAQs for Practice Hours
Are practice hours required? No. Practice hours are optional.
Can I double practice hours? You can document a maximum of 400 hours (counts as 10 contact hours). The option for 600
hours included on the ReCErt Tracker is for a different certification (Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist) and
cannot be used for CPNP-PC.
How recent must the hours be? Worked within 12 months preceding your Recert application submission.
Do I need to send paperwork? Not unless selected for random audit.
What information do I include in the application? You will be asked to describe practice hours as 200 or 400 hours at
(employer or organization name) and provide start and end dates.
14
Professional Practice Linkages (PPL)
Can count for a maximum of 10 contact hours
PPL activities contribute to professional growth and development. Categories accepted by PNCB are:
• Authorship
• Poster
• Lectures or Presentations
• Precepting
• Committees
• Quality Improvement Projects
• Nursing Awards
Specific policies are described on the next page.
Teaching and IRB research projects are considered Practice Hours activities. See the preceding page for details.
How PPL works:
You can count PPL as 10 contact hours and combine them with 5 contact hours of other PNCB-accepted activity
to meet the requirement of 15 hours per year. Below are 4 examples. The next page explores accepted PPL activities.
• 1 PPL + 1 academic credit = 15 hours for that year
• 1 PPL + 5 accredited contact hours = 15 hours for that year
• 1 PPL + 200 clinical practice hours = 15 hours for that year
FAQs for Professional Practice Linkages
Is PPL required? No. PPL is optional.
How many contact hours does a PPL activity equal? PPL equals 10 contact hours toward recertification.
Can I use more than 1 PPL? No. A maximum of 1 PPL per annual CPNP-PC recertification application is allowed.
How current must the PPL be? The activity must have been accomplished within 24 months preceding your recertification
application submission.
Do I need to send paperwork? Not unless selected for random audit.
What information do I type on the application? You will be prompted for dates and the following:
Authorship, posters, lectures, or presentations: Include the title and the publication date.
Precepting: Include your 80 hours with employer/institution name.
Committee membership: Include the name of committee/task force and the name of state or national organization.
Quality Improvement Project: Include the name of project with employer/institution name.
Nursing Awards: Include the name of the award and the name of the organization presenting the award.
15
What Counts for PPL
Type of PPL
What’s Accepted
Authorship
Peer-reviewed journal article, textbook contributions, or teaching aids for patients and families
related to your certification specialty.
Any page length.
May be co-authored.
Unpublished or published Doctoral dissertation/capstone project or master’s thesis
completed will also be accepted, if not part of the education that allowed you to meet CPNP-
PC exam eligibility requirements.
Poster
Scholarly poster presentation selected for conference or hospital presentation
Related to your certification specialty.
Lecture or
Presentation
Use PPL specifically for non-academic Settings (e.g., conferences). For academic
settings, faculty count classroom lectures as Practice Hours (pg. 13).
Related to your certification specialty.
Sponsored by employer or a membership or an educational organization.
At least one hour in length.
Included learning objectives and a reference list.
A specific lecture cannot be used more than once for PPL credit.
In addition, this option must have:
Awarded CE to attendees or
Included education materials created for public education or patient/family teaching.
Preceptor
Hours
A minimum of 80 hours completed in the past 24 months prior to Recert enrollment
Level-appropriate: CPNP-PCs must precept graduate PNP or FNP students with a focus on
mastery of primary care pediatric clinical content.
Completed while holding active licensure for the state/territory in which the hours were
performed.
Does not include orientation of new employees to hospital/employer policies and
procedures.
Preceptor hours cannot also be used as a practice hours option for Recert.
Committee
Membership
Local, state, or national level as an officer or committee task force member.
Also accepted: review and editorial board membership.
Related to your certification specialty.
PNCB committee members receive CE and discounted recertification fees for volunteering
and therefore cannot also apply PNCB activity to the committee PPL option.
Quality
Improvement
Project
A minimum of 10 hours of your involvement in the project. Not required to be a primary
project lead but must have held a significant role.
Must be involved in the entirety of the project from conception through completion.
Completion is defined as one complete cycle from conception to initiation, implementation,
measurement of outcomes, and re-evaluation/future initiatives.
Project must have been completed in the past 24 months prior to Recert enrollment.
A project previously submitted for PPL, either as a publication or poster presentation, cannot
be used again for QI PPL. Conversely, QI PPL cannot be duplicated as a publication or poster
presentation for another Recert application.
Nursing
Award
A national or international award. Examples of awards or organizations granting eligible awards
include but are not limited to the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP),
Daisy, GEM, Nightingale, PNCB, Magnet Nurse of the Year, Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN).
Related to your certification specialty.
16
Academic Credit
Can count for a maximum of 10 contact hours
Academic credit is coursework taken by you relevant to your certification specialty whereby
you earned a grade from an accredited institution/college/university.
How academic credit works:
You can count academic credit as 10 contact hours and combine it with any other accepted activity equaling 5
contact hours (5 accredited contact hours, 200 clinical practice hours, or one PPL) to meet the requirement of
15 hours per year. Here are the three scenarios you could use:
• 1 academic credit + 5 accredited contact hours = 15 hours for that year
• 1 academic credit + 200 clinical practice hours = 15 hours for that year
• 1 academic credit +1 PPL = 15 hours for that year
Restrictions:
Cannot be the same credit that allowed you to meet CPNP-PC exam eligibility requirements.
Cannot be the same credit applied in a previous year.
Adult continuing education at colleges or universities are to be counted as contact hours, not as academic credit.
FAQs for Academic Credit
Is academic credit required? No. Academic credit is optional.
How many contact hours does academic credit equal? PNCB equates one semester or quarter hour of
academic credit to 10 contact hours when you combine it with accredited contact hours and clinical practice. Academic
credit counts as 5 contact hours when combined with Professional Practice Linkages (PPL).
How current must academic credit be? Academic credit must have been awarded by an institution within 24 months
preceding your recertification application submission. However, it cannot be the same credit that allowed you to meet
CPNP-PC exam eligibility requirements.
Do I need to send paperwork? Not unless selected for random audit.
What information do I type on the application? You will be asked to enter course name, institution name,
credit hours, and date completed.
Record Review Year
Can equal 15 contact hours for 1 Recert application per 7-Year Recert Tracking Cycle
The Record Review Year option is available to you one time during each of your 7-Year Recert Tracking Cycles. This option
allows you to review and update your information with PNCB and maintain your certification. To use Record Review Year,
you will still complete the online Recert application to update your information. You pay a reduced fee, but do not
document contact hours or other activity that year.
Is it required? No. Record Review Year is optional once per 7-Year Recert Tracking Cycle.
Do I need to do anything to use this option? Yes. To use Record Review Year, you will still complete the online Recert
application to update your contact and license information plus other demographic data. You pay a lower fee.
17
Record Review Year (continued)
Why use it? Documenting a Record Review Year is helpful if a major life event occurs or when you are unable to complete
contact hours or other activity that PNCB will accept.
Can I use a Record Review Year even if I have not met my Pediatric Updates requirements? Maybe. It depends on where
you are in your 7-Year Recert Tracking Cycle. You are required to complete 4 Pediatric Updates (2 Primary Care and 2 of
your choice) and 15 pharmacology hours for your 7-Year Recert Tracking Cycle to remain certified.
Example 1: A CPNP-PC needs to recertify for Year 6 and still has not completed any of their 4 required PNCB
Pediatric Updates modules to fulfill their 7-Year Recert Tracking Cycle. They would not be able to use the Record
Review Year option for Years 6 or 7. They would need to successfully document the modules (documenting 2
completed modules per each remaining year of that cycle).
Example 2: A CPNP-PC needs to recertify for Year 2 and has not completed any Pediatric Updates, but a major issue
has happened in their life. They are early enough in their cycle to use Record Review Year and still meet their
requirement of 4 Pediatric Updates.
Does using this option impact board of nursing verification? No. If a CPNP-PC recertifies using the Record Review Year
option, your board of nursing or any third-party verification requestor receives the standard primary source verification of
certification information. The words “Record Review Year” do not appear in verification documentation.
Tools
Recert Dashboard
Log in
to check your status of all required modules and pharmacology hours, basic policies, and a snapshot of past
application activities. This tool also tracks the once-per-7-year use of the Record Review Year option.
ReCErt Tracker
Log in to pre-load
completed activities and save time on the Recert application. PNCB’s Pediatric Updates, Free CE, and
Alternative CE modules automatically load for you when your CE certificate is processed.
• Note that you will be asked to enter your license information on the actual Recert application.
• Use the Applied Points column to see the number of hours applied toward a past Recert. If no number is listed,
hours may be available to apply. Check Completed Date to confirm they will not expire before you submit your
Recert application.
Tips: Before Recertifying
Content Must Relate to Your Certification Specialty
All PNCB-accepted activity, including PNCB’s own Free CE, Alternative CE, and Pediatric Updates CE modules must relate to
your certification specialty if you want to apply the contact hours toward Recert.
Complete Activities Before Recertifying
When you start the online application, you will be asked to document completed activities. You cannot document activities
that are incomplete or scheduled for the future.
Need Contact Hours?
Pediatric Updates and free or low-cost CE is available in your PNCB portal’s Marketplace. PNCB’s website offers links to
other respected free or low-cost CE sources. Be sure that the content of the activity is accepted for your recertification.
18
Preload Completed Activities
While you are not required to use your ReCErt Tracker, it can save you time on the online application. This tool can also be
used for personal recordkeeping because you can track activities not used for recertifying. You can even upload
documentation there. PNCB’s Pediatric Updates and Free CE modules are loaded for you automatically after your CE
certificate is processed. Do not manually enter completed PNCB’s Pediatric Updates or other PNCB modules as continuing
education.
Tips: Using the Online Recert Application
Locate the Application
Log in to the PNCB portal at https://mypncb.pncb.org/pncbssa.
You will also find the portal login link at the upper right of
the PNCB website.
Device Compatibility
The application works best with a PC, and we do not guarantee compatibility with iPads, iPhones, Kindles, or other devices.
Contact website@pncb.org
for technical assistance. We will respond during normal office hours.
Dates
You recertify using an online application at www.pncb.org
during open enrollment between November 1 and January 31.
You can recertify with a late fee between February 1 and February 28. You pick the day and time to recertify during the
open enrollment timeframe.
Have Any Paperwork Handy
Gather CE certificates not issued by PNCB and not yet added to your ReCErt Tracker and allow approximately 15 minutes to
complete the online application.
Check the Boxes
After you enter activity on the Recert application (or if you see preloaded activity from your ReCErt Tracker), you will need
to check the boxes to the right of the activity to apply it on the application.
Restarting an In-Progress Application
If you start an application but don’t finish it, your submittals grid will guide your next step.
• Click the "Click to View" link unless your application is expired. If an application is in progress, you may see a status
of pending, No Pass, No Pay, or checkout, etc. Return to your in-progress application by clicking the blue phrase
"Click to View" at the far right of the final line item.
• Expired status? An application expires in 10 days if you don’t complete it. If the application has expired, create a
new one with the lower right blue button.
How Do I Know I Recertified?
PNCB Email
You will receive an email from PNCB confirming successful recertification. PNCB sends these on a weekly basis.
Your Emailed Receipt
After payment and submission of your application, look for your receipt email. If you do not see it within 24 hours, check
your spam inbox. You may also log in to your portal and view your Message History Report and print a receipt. Contact
recert@pncb.org
if you need assistance obtaining a receipt.
19
Your Updated Wallet Card
Your online wallet card is always available online. It is updated immediately after your application is submitted. An optimal
time to print or download a copy of your updated card for your records is right after recertifying. Log in to your PNCB portal
for this documentation.
Other Ways to Know
In your PNCB portal,
your Recert Dashboard will be updated, and the ReCErt Tracker will reflect applied activity. You also
would be prevented to start another Recert application until the next November 1.
Verification for Boards of Nursing
Each Board of Nursing has on-demand access to a verification of certification portal. Boards will continually be notified to
log in and view the current recertification information for nurses who are licensed in their state and have recertified. State
Boards of Nursing you list on your Recert application receive verification at no cost to you.
• If you need additional verifications sent to employers, additional boards, or a new board, order verifications in your
portal.
• Additional verifications (e.g., to employers or to a new state board not listed on the application) are $60 each. Fees
are subject to change without notice. Check www.pncb.org
for current costs.
Benefits & Discounts
Thank you for maintaining your certification with PNCB! Log in to your PNCB portal at https://mypncb.pncb.org/pncbssa to
see all benefits and discounts.
Planning to Retire?
Read about how to officially retire your certification so we can remove you from recertification reminders and send you a
letter thanking you for your years of service to children and families.
Audit
PNCB is required by our accreditor to randomly audit recertification applications. PNCB will notify you if selected and inform
you of how and when to submit supporting documentation. If your record is audited, you will be required to submit
supporting documents, such as a copy of the completion CE certificate(s) showing the dates, title, number of contact hours,
sponsoring organization, etc. In addition, you may be required to provide evidence of the applicability of the
program/course to your certification. Non-compliance with audit may affect your certification. Annual audit takes place
during April/May after recertification ends.
Appeals
An appeals process is available to those who wish to contest an adverse decision or proposed action affecting their
application for certification, exam results, or recertification. Decisions made by PNCB during the appeals process are final.
See Appeals Procedures.
20
Ethics
To support excellence in nursing practice, PNCB requires that every nurse certified by this organization will uphold and
adhere to the Certificant Code of Ethics
. In addition to addressing patient care, respect, and safety, the Certificant Code of
Ethics states that you cannot falsify information provided to PNCB or act dishonestly concerning PNCB exams and
recertification. This includes disclosure of exam content to candidates. Protect your certification by adhering to the
Certificant Code of Ethics.
Assistance & FAQs
Contact PNCB any time of the year for questions about recertifying. Our office hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 am to
5:00 pm Eastern Time. See holiday closings.
Recertification
recert@pncb.org
Pediatric Updates and CE content
Verifications
verif@pncb.org
Web Technical Support
recert@pncb.org
Can I recertify if I no longer hold a license?
No. A current, active, unencumbered RN or RN/APRN license is always required to maintain certification. You must
immediately report to PNCB if your license is ever lapsed, suspended, revoked, or encumbered in any way. Changing the
status of your RN license (or APRN if you do not hold a separate RN license) to ‘inactive’ will result in the immediate
expiration of your CPNP-PC certification.
If a conference awards me more than 15 contact hours, can I use the remaining hours next year?
Yes. Hours can be used the next year provided they were earned within 24 months preceding your recertification
application submission.
Why are Pediatric Updates required to be completed before I recertify? This policy aligns with all other PNCB
documentation strategies for recertification enrollment: all activities must be completed before you can use them to
recertify.
What if I am seeking Acute Care PNP certification as well? CPNP-PCs who later earn Acute Care Certified Pediatric Nurse
Practitioner certification will enter the dual CPNP-AC/PC recertification program the calendar year after passing the CPNP-
AC exam. Dual CPNP-PC/AC certification saves you time when filling out the recertification application and reduces costs.
You will start a new 7-Year Recert Tracking Cycle that includes both certifications. You will have 2 additional Pediatric
Updates to complete per cycle. Review Dual AC/PC recertification
information on the web to learn more.
What if I hold both CPNP-PC and Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) certification?
You will need to fulfill both your CPN and your CPNP-PC annual and 7-Year Recert Tracking Cycle requirements to maintain
both certifications. Recertification programs are consistent with the professional scopes and standards of practice for roles.
Dually certified CPN/CPNP-PCs must demonstrate continuing competency for both roles. PNCB recognizes that some
individuals may want to maintain both certifications and has reduced the cost to maintain the CPN certification. For
additional information about appropriate continuing education, please review the online FAQs.
Visit PNCB’s website for additional FAQs. Thank you for recertifying!
