Get Certified: CANS

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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.

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, Cosmetic Surgery 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, Cosmetic Surgery 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.

	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

$400*	ISPAN members (membership must be current)
$495*	Non-members
$25	Nonrefundable Application Fee
$100	Late Application Fee

*Please note that $25 of the exam fee is non-refundable should an application be withdrawn in accordance with PSNCB policy.