CENP Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
The CNML and CENP programs meets both the NCCA* and ABSNC* Standards for Accreditation of Certification programs. The NCCA and ABSNC Commission/Council has granted accreditation of the AONL CNML and CENP programs.
*NCCA = National Commission for Certifying Agencies
*ABSNC = Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification
The Job Analysis Report: AONL Certified in Executive Practice, describes the methodology and procedures used to conduct a job analysis and develop the exam specifications for the American Organization for Nursing LeadershipTM (AONL) Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP®) certification examination.
The three major activities that comprise the job analysis process described in this report are as follows:
- Job Analysis Committee Meeting – A gathering of subject matter experts (SMEs) to discuss and develop a description of the scope of practice
- Job Analysis Survey – A large-scale survey of practitioners not involved with the SME panel to validate the task and knowledge statements developed by the committee
- Development of Examination Specifications – The development of an Examination Content Outline by the committee based on the results of the survey
Several practitioners were assembled by AONL to serve as subject matter experts (SMEs). The individuals selected represent a wide variety of work-related characteristics such as years of experience, work setting, geographic location, and areas of specialty. This helps in developing a scope of practice that is reflective of the roles and responsibilities of the job role and is relatively free from bias. By analyzing the experiences and expertise of current practitioners, the results from the job analysis become the basis of a validated assessment that reflects the competencies required for competent job performance. The job analysis process utilized in this study yields exam specifications that accurately reflect the scope of practice, allowing for the development of fair, accurate, and realistic assessments of candidates’ readiness for certification. The resultant Examination Content Outline (Appendix E) indicates a 150-item examination with content distribution requirements at the competency area (content domain) level as well as topic (content subdomain) level. The five competency areas are:
- Communication and Relationship Building
- Health Care Environment & Clinical Principles
- Leadership
- Professionalism
- Business Skills and Principles
To be eligible for the CENP exam, a candidate must meet the target practitioner definition:
The nurse executive/senior leader sets the vision for nursing practice in the delivery of safe, effective and efficient patient care. With an interdisciplinary approach, the nurse executive demonstrates leadership in business skills and principles, knowledge of the healthcare environment, communication and relationship management and professionalism. This includes elements of leadership in strategic and change management, performance improvement, teamwork, evidence-based practice, ethics, and mentoring. The Nurse Executive advocates as the voice for the patient, family, nursing profession, and other members of the health care team.
A candidate must:
- Hold a valid and unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse
- Education and work experience must satisfy Option 1 or Option 2
Option 1:
- Hold a Master’s degree or higher, at least one of the degrees must be in Nursing from an accredited institution.
- Have at least 4,160 hours of experience in an executive/senior nursing role
Option 2:
- Hold a baccalaureate in nursing degree. Degree must be from an accredited institution.
- Have at least 8,320 hours of experience in an executive nursing role/senior nursing role
Your job title might not match the title of the exam application, but you may be practicing in the role and specialty the exam tests. Please refer to the Test Content Outline and target audience found in the Candidate Handbook for details and compare it to your job function.
The CENP exam is composed of 175 multiple-choice questions. A candidate’s score is based on 150 of these questions related to the exam content outline; 25 are “trail” or “pretest” questions interspersed throughout the examination.
Candidates can retake the exam no sooner than 90 days after their most recent exam date. An application will be available after the 90 days have passed. Candidates may apply for and take the same certification exam up to 4 times in a 2 year period. See the CENP Candidate Handbook..
A candidate with a visual, sensory or physical disability that prevents taking the examination under standard conditions may request special accommodations and arrangements. If special accommodations are requested, please complete the "ADA Accommodation” portion of the application before submitting.
Approximately ten (10) business days after the receipt of application, a notice is sent by email to the candidate stating the application has been received and approved. Generally, candidates receive their admission letter to the testing about two (2) to three (3) weeks prior to the CENP special administration date. The notice includes the date, location and check-in time for the CENP Examination. A candidate is allowed to take only the CENP Examination for which application is made and confirmation from AHA is received. Unscheduled candidates (walk-ins) are not allowed to take the CENP Examination.
Register for the exam
Yes. The AONL International Credentials Evaluation Service (administered through CGFNS International, Inc.) allows foreign-educated nurses to verify educational, licensure/registration and employment credentials required for the exam.
Candidates who are eligible for the CENP Examination and wish to be tested outside of the U.S. may be accommodated for an additional fee.
To maintain and enhance the credibility of the CENP certification program the AONL-CC governing body, the AONL-CC Steering Committee, has adopted the following procedures to allow individuals to bring complaints concerning the conduct of CENP certificants to the Steering Committee. In the event a certificant violates the Professional Standards of Conduct and/or the AONL-CC Steering Committee certification rules, requirements, and/or policies, the Steering Committee may reprimand or suspend the individual or may revoke certification.
To read the policy in its entirety, please click here
Recertification
Initial certification or recertification is valid for three (3) years. A certificant may recertify the CENP credential through one of two routes:
- Successful re-examination
- Documentation of 45 contact hours of continuing professional education related to examination content over the 3-year period and payment of the recertification fee. Recertification $200 fee for AONL and $275 fee for nonmember.
Renewal applications may be submitted up to one year prior to the certification expiration date
Recertification is required every 3 years to maintain certified status.
Continuing competency for nursing leadership is the ongoing commitment of the nurse leader to integrate and apply the knowledge, skills, attitudes/abilities and judgment with, values and beliefs required to practice safely, effectively and ethically in the specialty of nursing leadership. AONL-CC requires the ongoing professional development and maintaining continuing competency of its certificants. Attaining certification is an indication of mastery of a well-defined body of knowledge at a point in time.
The mandatory recertification process provides certificants with the opportunity to demonstrate continuing competency by the retention, reinforcement and expansion of their knowledge, skills, and abilities within the specialty of nursing leadership. Recertification also provides encouragement to, and acknowledgement for, participation in ongoing professional development activities and continued learning. To support this purpose, the recertification requirements require continuing education and professional activities that assure continuing competency through:
- enhanced ongoing professional development
- recognized learning opportunities