Get Certified: CPSN

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• 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.
  
  
• The examinee should note that taking the review courses offered does not guarantee a successful performance on the certification exam. A passing score on the actual certification exam is required to attain official certification. PSNCB and C-NET do not offer or endorse a practice test.

CPSN Eligibility

At the time a nurse applies to sit for the certification exam, 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 a minimum of two (2) years of plastic surgical nursing experience as a registered nurse in a general staff, administrative, teaching, or research capacity for at least three (3) years prior to application, and
  
  
• Have spent at least 1,000 practice hours in plastic surgical nursing during two (2) of the preceding three (3) years.
  
  
• Be currently working in the field of plastic surgical nursing and in collaboration with a plastic surgeon, oculoplastic surgeon (ophthalmologist) or facial plastic surgeon (ENT) who is board certified in ophthalmology, burn care, plastic surgery or facial plastic surgery who holds a current full and unrestricted license.

What to know when applying

	Follow the directions in the application.
	Once completed, send your application, supporting documentation and payment by US mail to C-NET (Center for Nursing Education and Testing)
	For confirmation of receipt or to follow up on status of application, please contact C-NET at (201) 217-9083 or info@cnetnurse.com.
	C-NET will contact you via US mail two weeks prior to the exam stating your eligibility for the exam.
	Two weeks prior to the exam, C-NET will mail you a permit with the date, time, and location for the exam. You may not take the exam without this permit. This permit will arrive via US mail.
	After taking the exam, you will receive your results 4-6 weeks later via US mail.
	Recertification is done every 3 years. You must meet all eligibility requirements in order to recertify.

Appeals Policy and Procedure Candidates who have been denied eligibility to sit for the exam, whose recertification is denied, and those whose certification is revoked have the right of appeal. Individuals wishing to request an appeal or reconsideration of a decision of the PSNCB must initiate the request for reconsideration within the time frame delineated in the reconsideration procedures.

1. The candidate shall be informed of the right of appeal at the time of application for certification or recertification.
2. The appeal must be submitted in writing via certified mail (or other traceable means) to the President of the Board within thirty days of notification of the action of the PSNCB. The request for reconsideration shall state the specific reasons for the appeal.
3. Any cost associated with the appeal process will be the responsibility of the individual making the appeal.
4. The appeal shall be heard by a special committee composed of two certified nurses appointed by the President of the PSNCB and one member of the PSNCB Board. The special committee shall make a recommendation on the appeal to the Board. The decision of the Board shall be final.
5. The results of the special committee and ensuing Board action shall be documented. A permanent file of action by the special committee and the Board shall be established.
6. The decision of the Board shall be communicated in writing to the candidate within 2-4 weeks.

Certification Examination & Other Fees

*Please note that $25 of the exam fee is non-refundable should an application be withdrawn in accordance with PSNCB policy.