Nursing, Nursing Advanced Practice, Exam Prep
CNL® Certification Requirements
Jan 22, 2019
With excerpts from Clinical Nurse Leader Certification Review, Third Edition, by Cynthia R. King PhD, MSN, NP, RN, CNL, FAAN, Sally Gerard DNP, RN, CDE, CNL
So, what do you do to become certified as a CNL®? Get moving toward the next chapter in your career by taking the following steps by meeting the CNL certification requirements.
Make Sure You Qualify for Your Exam!
- Are you a graduate of an accredited CNL® master's or post-master’s program, OR a student in his/her last term of an accredited CNL® master’s or post-master’s program?
- Do you hold a current and active RN license in the United States with no active disciplinary cases?
If you said yes to both, you’re off to a great start!
Apply for the Exam!
The next step is to register for the exam online, which you can do on the AACN’s website here. A non-refundable fee is required when applying. You’ll also need to reach out to your CNL® Program Director to complete the Online CNL Education Documentation Form (you’ll need to be logged into your CNL® application first).
Click here to see exam dates and fees.
In terms of location, you’ll sit for the exam at your school. (Click here to see if your school is listed as an Eligible CNL® Education Program.) If you’re an online student (or not located near an Eligible CNL® Education Program), you can take the exam at a testing center affiliated with ISO Quality Testing, Inc. (IQT). You can also take the test at one of several testing centers provided by IQT, which are available for CNL® graduates and online students.
Check out the list of IQT testing centers here!
The documents needed to apply for the CNL® exam include:
- CNL® Certification Examination application
- Application attestation
- CNL® Education Documentation Form (signed by CNL® program director)
- Request for special exam accommodations and documentation
- Disability-Related Needs forms (if applicable)
Get Approved!
Once your application is received by the CNC, they will send you an email notification confirming receipt. They’ll also notify you of any outstanding documents.
After the CNC reviews and approves your application, you’ll be able to confirm your testing date, time, and location with the faculty contact/proctor or testing site.
Start Studying (if You Haven’t Already!)
You can check out our CNL® exam prep products.
Resources
Clinical Nurse Leader Certification Examination Application. (n.d.). Retrieved September 26, 2018, from http://cnlcertification.org/cnl/common/cnlHome.seam
CNL® Certification / Apply for the Exam. (n.d.). Retrieved September 26, 2018, from https://www.aacnnursing.org/CNL-Certification/Apply-for-the-Exam
King, C. R., Gerard, S. O. (2016). Clinical Nurse Leader Certification Review, Second Edition. New York: Springer Publishing.
Testing Centers. (n.d.). Retrieved September 26, 2018, from http://www.isoqualitytesting.com/locations.aspx