• As defined by ABSNC, continuing competence is the ongoing commitment of a registered nurse to integrate and apply the knowledge, skills, and judgement with the attitudes, values, and beliefs required to practice safely, effectively, and ethically in a designated role, patient population and/or setting. The PSNCB has adopted the definition of continuing competence provided by the ABSNC.
  
  
• Certificant's records are confidential, the only public information that the PSNCB will disclose is whether or not they are certified.
• Candidates can recertify either by obtaining continuing education contact hours - which must be obtained during the certification period, or by taking the exam, which is continuously updated to reflect current practice.

Recertification

Please read the recertification guide thoroughly prior to filling out your application. You will be notified of your recertification six months prior to your expiration.

REGISTERED NURSE

CANS Eligibility

At the time a nurse applies to sit for the certification exam or apply for recertification, applicants must:

• Be currently licensed as a Registered Nurse in the United States, its territories or Canada, holding a current full and unrestricted license.
• Have spent at least 1,000 practice hours within the core specialties during the last two (2) years.
• Have a minimum of two (2) years of nursing experience as a registered nurse within the four Core Specialties in collaboration or in a practice with a physician that is board Certified within a core specialty or a Nurse Practitioner who is CANS certified and whose certification is in good standing. Experience can be in a general staff, administrative, teaching, or research capacity within three (3) years prior to application, depending on state practice requirements.
• Be currently working in collaboration or in a practice with a physician that is Board Certified within one of the following specialties: Plastic/Aesthetic Surgery, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, or Facial Plastic Surgery (ENT) or a Nurse Practitioner who is CANS certified.
• Have your collaborating core physician or Nurse Practitioner who is CANS certified, who holds a current full and unrestricted license, provide a letter of recommendation

NURSE PRACTITIONER

CANS Eligibility

At the time a nurse applies to sit for the certification exam or apply for recertification, applicants must:

• Be currently licensed as a Nurse Practitioner or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in the United States, its territories or Canada, holding a current full and unrestricted license.
• Have spent at least 1,000 practice hours within the core specialties during the last two (2) years.
• Have a minimum of two (2) years of nursing experience as a registered nurse within the four Core Specialties in collaboration or in a practice with a physician that is board Certified within a core specialty or a Nurse Practitioner who is CANS certified and whose CANS certification is in good standing. This can be in a general staff, administrative, teaching, or research capacity within three (3) years prior to application, depending on state practice requirements.
• Be currently working in collaboration or in a practice with a physician that is Board Certified within one of the following specialties: Plastic/Aesthetic Surgery, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, or Facial Plastic Surgery (ENT) or a Nurse Practitioner who is CANS certified.
• Have your collaborating core physician or Nurse Practitioner who is CANS certified, who holds a current full and unrestricted license, provide a letter of recommendation.
• If the applicant does not work in collaboration with a Board Certified Core physician, they must provide a screenshot of their State or Provincial Board’s Scope of Practice verifying that they do not need a supervising physician or allows a Nurse Practitioner as their supervisor or are able to practice independently.
• If the Nurse Practitioner practices independently, they must have a physician who they refer patients and provide a letter of recommendation from this physician.
• Have a letter of recommendation from a Nurse Practitioner who is CANS certified.

To make the recertification process as simple as possible, we recommend organizing your certificates with the following steps:

	Create a file folder on your computer to store your approved CE / Contact hours and CMEs. For example folder: CPSN 2021 or CANS 2021
	Scan each certificates into your computer and save in this folder. As you scan each document into the folder, rename the file according to what the document is such as State Nursing License, Attestation, or Consideration of Muscle Depth for Botulinum Toxin Injections: A Three Dimensional Approach
	Once you are ready to complete your application you will enter the name of the supporting document. At the end of that entry line you will find a browse button. Use this to locate the folder and files you had previously created. Once you locate the corresponding document, you simply upload it and move on to the next line. Of course you may opt to enter all the specifics first, then go back and upload each corresponding document.
	Review your entire application for completeness prior to submitting in order to avoid having it sent back to you for correction or additional information. You will receive email acknowledgement of recertification once your application has been approved. Once recertification is granted, you may print off your wallet card and Certificate from the website. You also have the option to request a copy of the certificate for a fee. Certificates will be printed and mailed out quarterly: March 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15 of each year.