Nursing
PNCB CPNCertified 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)
Exam facts sourced from the official PNCB (Pediatric Nursing Certification Board) certification page. Last reviewed June 2026.
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.
Sample question
What a PNCB CPN question looks like.
A 4-month-old infant is brought in for a well-child visit. The parents ask when they should start introducing solid foods. The infant holds her head steady, shows interest in food, and has doubled her birth weight. Which anticipatory guidance is MOST appropriate at this visit?
See the answer & explanation
Correct: B. Plan to introduce single-ingredient pureed foods around 6 months of age when the infant can also sit with minimal support
Why: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Bright Futures recommend exclusive breastfeeding or formula feeding until approximately 6 months, at which point solid foods are introduced when the infant demonstrates developmental readiness including sitting with minimal support, good head control, and interest in food. Although this infant shows some readiness signs at 4 months, the full constellation of readiness—including sitting with minimal support—is not yet present, making 6 months the appropriate target. Adding cereal to a bottle is unsafe (choking risk, overfeeding) and does not improve sleep; it is explicitly discouraged by the AAP. Introducing foods at 4 months is associated with increased obesity risk and is not consistent with current guidelines.
What you get
Everything you need to actually pass.
Full question bank
15 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.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about PNCB CPN
What is the PNCB CPN exam?
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).
How many questions are on the PNCB CPN exam, and how long is it?
175 questions (150 scored + 25 pretest) · 3 hours
What is the passing score for the PNCB CPN exam?
400 / 800 scaled score (criterion-referenced)
How much does the PNCB CPN exam cost?
~$295 USD (with SPN/AAP member discount available)
Are there prerequisites for the PNCB CPN exam?
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)
How long is the PNCB CPN certification valid?
7 years (maintained via PNCB's annual Recertification Program — enrollment each Nov 1–Jan 31)
How many questions does the PNCB CPN bank have?
15 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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