Certifications › Specialty nursing board certifications
Board exam · Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN)
CPEN — Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN)
The CPEN is BCEN's Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse exam for registered nurses holding a current, unrestricted RN licence. Certification runs four years and is renewed by continuing education or by exam.
Named in 4 of 29,080 postings on this site as of 11 Nov 2026, mostly Registered Nurse (4).
The facts, from the issuer
- Eligibility
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You need a current, unrestricted RN licence from the US, a US territory, Canada or Australia (or an equivalent RN licence).
BCEN — CPEN certification process · checked ·
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“To qualify for the exam, you must hold a current, unrestricted Registered Nurse license in either the United States, a US Territory, Canada, Australia or equivalent RN license.”
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BCEN suggests two years of practice in the specialty first, but does not require it.
BCEN — CPEN certification process · checked ·
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“We suggest practicing in your area of interest for at least two years, but this is not required.”
- Format
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Total seat time for the exam is 3 hours (180 minutes).
BCEN — CPEN FAQs · checked ·
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“Total seat time for the exam is 180 minutes (3 hours).”
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You need 110 of the 150 scored items correct to pass.
BCEN — CPEN FAQs · checked ·
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“candidates must answer 110 of the 150 scored items correctly to achieve a passing score.”
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If you fail you can retest an unlimited number of times, but must wait 90 days after a failed attempt.
BCEN — CPEN FAQs · checked ·
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“Unlimited testing is allowed if you are unsuccessful; however, you are required to wait 90 days after a failed attempt before re-testing.”
- Length
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The CPEN exam has 175 items (150 scored, 25 unscored pretest items).
BCEN — CPEN FAQs · checked ·
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“The CPEN exam consists of 175 items (150 scored and 25 unscored pretest items).”
- Renewal
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Certification runs four years; renewal by CE takes 100 contact hours in the period, at least 75 clinical and at least 50 from an accredited source.
BCEN — Recertify · checked ·
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“BCEN requires 100 CE contact hours within your 4-year certification period.”
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For recertification applications submitted on or after January 1, 2027, at least 75 of the 100 hours must come from an accredited source.
BCEN — Recertify · checked ·
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“For applications submitted on or after January 1, 2027 : At least 75 hours must come from an accredited source.”
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You choose renewal by continuing education or by exam from your BCEN account dashboard.
BCEN — Recertify · checked ·
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“select your preferred recertification path: By CE or by exam. Complete the application and submit payment.”
- Cost
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The exam fee is $285 for professional association members and $380 for non-members.
BCEN — CPEN FAQs · checked ·
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“Yes, the fee is $285 for professional association members and $380 for non-members.”
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Active-duty service members, reservists and veterans pay a reduced $195 fee on initial, retest and recertification applications.
BCEN — Recertify · checked ·
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“We are proud to offer a reduced application fee of $195 for active-duty service members, reservists and veterans on all initial, retest and recertification applications.”
- Find a class or test site
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BCEN exams are delivered at PSI testing centers or at home by live remote proctoring.
BCEN — CPEN FAQs · checked ·
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“Exams are delivered by computer at PSI Testing Centers, or at home via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP).”
Where to take it
Start with the issuer’s own test-site search:
- Book the exam at a test site: PSI — find a testing center (home.psiexams.com)
CPEN is an exam taken at test sites, so there are no classes to list here; use the test-site search above.
Distances are straight-line from the ZIP or city centre (U.S. Census 2024 gazetteer), not drive times. Listings come from state approved-program lists, issuer directories and providers' own pages. A listing is not a partnership; confirm dates, price and seats with the provider.
Related
- Current Registered Nurse jobs
- CEN — Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
- TCRN — Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN)
- CNOR — Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
- RNC-OB — Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB)
- RNC-NIC — Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (RNC-NIC)
- C-EFM — Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM)
- OCN — Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN)
- CMSRN — Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN)
- CHPN — Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN)
Every fact above was read on the issuer’s own page on the date shown, with the exact words quoted. Anything the issuer does not publish is left out, so a missing fee means the issuer leaves pricing to the class provider or did not publish one. Employers decide which cards they accept; check the posting.