Nursing
PNCB CPN®Certified Pediatric Nurse
The Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) credential is issued by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) for RNs caring for pediatric patients across inpatient, outpatient, ED, and specialty settings. The exam follows the PNCB content outline finalized after the most recent job analysis and is criterion-referenced (200–800 scaled score, 400 to pass). CPN is the largest pediatric RN credential in the US.
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Exam facts
Everything you need to know about the PNCB CPN® exam.
- Passing score
- 400 / 800 scaled score (criterion-referenced)
- Format & length
- 175 questions (150 scored + 25 pretest) · 3 hours
- Voucher cost
- ~$295 USD (with SPN/AAP member discount available)
- Prerequisites
- Current unencumbered US/territory/Canada RN license + 1,800 hours of pediatric clinical practice in the past 24 months as an RN, OR 5+ years pediatric RN experience with 3,000 hours in the past 5 years (≥1,000 in the past 24 months)
- Validity
- 7 years (maintained via PNCB's annual Recertification Program — enrollment each Nov 1–Jan 31)
What’s tested
Key topics on the PNCB CPN® exam.
The Cert Climb question bank is mapped to every domain on the official PNCB CPN® exam blueprint, so what you study is what the test asks.
- Assessment
- Health Promotion
- Management (Acute and Chronic)
- Professional Role
Who it’s for
Built for the people taking this exam.
Bedside pediatric RNs in children's hospitals, pediatric ICU/ED, peds floor units, and pediatric specialty clinics. CPN is the RN-level peds credential; CPNP-PC and CPNP-AC are the separate advanced-practice (NP) credentials for the primary- and acute-care pediatric NP roles.
Why it matters in 2026
The career signal.
CPN is the most-recognized pediatric RN credential in the US and the one freestanding children's hospitals (and pediatric Magnet/Pathway sites) cite on workforce reports. PNCB's annual recertification model is distinct — instead of a renewal cliff every few years, CPNs maintain status through continuous learning, which most pediatric employers fund through education stipends.
What you get
Everything you need to actually pass.
Full question bank
400 questions covering every objective on the official PNCB CPN® exam blueprint, with detailed explanations on every option — right and wrong.
Quiz modes
Timed exam simulation, missed-only review, topic drills, and a daily question of the day. Practice the way you study best.
Flashcards
Spaced-repetition flashcards generated from each topic. Pull them up on a phone in the gap between meetings.
Progress tracking
See per-topic accuracy and answered counts. Find weak areas before they cost you on test day.
Per-category premium
Unlocking PNCB CPN® unlocks every other Nursing exam in the Cert Climb catalog — pay once, stack credentials.
No-fluff explanations
Every wrong answer comes with a 2-3 sentence explanation of why it’s wrong, not just “the correct answer is X.” Pattern recognition is the whole game.
Read while you study
PNCB CPN® articles & study guides
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about PNCB CPN®
How many questions does the PNCB CPN® bank have?
400 questions, organized into 4 subject areas mapped to the official exam objectives.
Is the free trial really free?
Yes. 30 questions, no credit card, no email-trap, no “activate by Friday or pay” spam. You either upgrade because the bank’s good, or you don’t.
What does premium cost?
Premium is sold per category and unlocks every Nursing exam in the Cert Climb catalog. Plans are 1-month, 3-month, or 12-month — see the upgrade modal for current pricing.
How current is the PNCB CPN® content?
We track exam version updates and refresh the bank within weeks of new objectives. Where the version of an exam matters (e.g. CompTIA SY0-701 vs. SY0-601), question explanations call it out.
Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Yes. Cancellation is one click from your profile. Your access continues through the end of the period you’ve already paid for.
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