Certification Program FAQs

Certification for Nurse Educators FAQs

• Do I need to be a member of the NLN to take a certification exam?

  NLN membership is not a requirement for taking a certification exam. Some discounts, though, are available on products purchased by NLN members. Please be aware that if you are faculty at an NLN member school, you have NLN membership benefits. You are assigned your own member ID number, which is the ID you will need to register for an exam. Entering the program’s member ID number,  when registering for an exam, will not provide the member discount.

• How does the NLN define function in the full scope of the academic faculty role?

  The academic faculty role includes university, college, community college, and other educational settings. The role of staff development of nurse educator in an acute or chronic setting is not included in the definition.

• How do I register for a certification exam?

  Registration for all exams is on the NLN website and must be done electronically. Applications will not be accepted via email or fax submission.

• What is the cost of an examination?

  Current examinations fees are listed in the Handbooks available here.
  

  Credit card payment is the only method of payment accepted.

• When is my certification renewal due?

  Certification cycles may be 3-5 years. Currently the CNE and the CNEcl credentials are on a 5-year cycle. Renewal applications are due by September 30 of the expiration year. The actual credential expires on December 31 of the year of expiration. The expiration date is indicated on the certificate. Renewal application and activity records may be submitted at any time during the expiration year.

• What will I need to renew and maintain my certification?

  To maintain certification, certificants must renew the certification prior to the expiration date. All renewal information is due by September 30 of the expiration year to be processed prior to the December 31 expiration date. Renewals received after December 31 will be considered as expired.

  Renewal or recertification by testing are both available. Renewal refers to submitting activities related to the competencies of that particular certification. Review the Handbook for either CNE or CNEcl about specific renewal requirements.

  The software program used by the Credentialing Department will randomly select applications for renewal for audit as required by the program’s accreditation body. The software program will allow continual upload of activity documentation throughout the cycle of the certification. If the documents have been maintained to support renewal, and the renewal is selected for audit, there will be less need to submit all of the documentation to the program.

• Can eligibility requirements be waived?

  In order to maintain the integrity of the program, eligibility requirements cannot be waived. When determining eligibility requirements, the results of a practice analysis are taken into consideration, as well as requirements for state boards of nursing, accreditation standards and criteria, the NLN position statement on preparation of nurse educator faculty, and the scope of practice documents.

  Below are examples of questions about eligibility requirements. 

  1. Can I register for the exam if I am in the process of completing the eligibility requirements? No.
  2. My state does not require that I possess a master’s degree in nursing to teach in a nursing program. I have been teaching for four years, can eligibility be waived? For CNE, yes. For CNEcl, the individual may meet requirements.
  3. I have a Bachelor’s of Science in nursing and a master’s degree in education. Am I eligible for the certification? For CNE, no. For CNEcl, possibly.
  4. Is it necessary to have a full-time faculty appointment? No, it is not necessary. The requirements do not state full-time or part-time employment.

• Is it possible to adjust an achieved score on a certification exam?

  It is always possible to have the testing vendor review the scoring for an exam taken. The vendor will charge a fee for doing that review. It is rare that an adjustment will be made of the final score. The program will not make a score adjustment.

• Who sets the pass score for certification exams? What is the process?

  The pass score is psychometrically reviewed collaboratively between the test development committee and the test administration group at the test vendor. It is done in concordance with each form of the exam. There are usually two active forms of each exam in use. The two forms may not have the same pass score, depending on the data from testing that is collected. The mean score for each form is computed and the pass score is set at the lower end of range of the confidence level for each exam.

• How are the exams developed?

  The exams are developed based on current practice analyses. These are done every five years. Nurse educators receive a survey and answer items related to practice on the survey. A test blueprint is then developed based on the date from the practice analyses. Then the forms of the exams are developed based on the test blueprint. Every test item is referenced to one of the resources listed. The resource lists are congruent with the current forms of the exams.

• What is the difference between certification and a certificate?

  Certification occurs when the candidate passes a certification examination. The exam is highly secured, soundly developed, and psychometrically evaluated.

• How do I know what is the best study material to use when preparing for the exam?

  NLN-supported study materials are available, including books and online and face-to-face preparatory courses. There also self-assessment exams (SAEs) available on the NLN website. The Handbook lists resources used to reference test items on the exams.

• What is a Self-Assessment Exam (SAE)?

  The Self-Assessment Exam (SAE) is an internet-based, 65-item, multiple choice exam that parallels in form with the actual examination. All SAEs meet examination specifications including content outline coverage, percentage of items in each of the content areas, and parallel cognitive complexity. Every item is coded to the test blueprint and rationales are provided. After completion of an SAE, the candidate will receive a score report to guide study efforts. Those who purchase an SAE will have online access for 60 days after the purchase.

• Can I voluntarily change the status of my certification?

  You may be able to change your status to “Retired” or you may voluntarily wish to relinquish status by not renewing at expiration. The status will then change to “Expired.”

• Should the certification exam be used as a measurement of program outcomes?

  The exams are developed to measure competence in the roles of the academic nurse educator. Even though the competencies and task statements may be used to develop curriculum and course work in a master’s of nursing education program, the exams were not developed to measure the outcomes of that coursework or the curriculum, and results should not be used in that way.

• How can I become involved in the certification program?

  The first step is to indicate to the certification program that you are interested in serving as a test item writer. Item writing sessions are held once per year, primarily in virtual format. The appointment to an item writing group is for two years. Progression to becoming a member of the test development committees may be based on the service as an item writer.