CNA Certification
Maintain Credential (Renew)
FAQs Renewing (Recertifying)
Q: I am due to renew my certification. Where can I obtain the necessary application form?
A: All certified nurses due to renew their certification are automatically sent a Certification Renewal application package containing the necessary information.
If you have not received your renewal application form it can be obtained by any of the following:
- call the CNA Certification Program Processing Centre at 1-800-450-5206; or
- print the application form and required related forms directly from the CNA Certification website Maintain Credential (Renew) section.
Q: Where should I send my application?
A: All applications should be sent directly to the CNA Certification Program Processing Centre. The address is listed on the first page and the back cover of the application guide.
All inquiries about the processing of your application and any changes to your contact information (e.g., change of name/address, verification of status, receipt, wallet card) should be directed to CNA Certification Program Processing Centre personnel at 1-800-450-5206.
However, if you have inquiries or questions about certification renewal eligibility requirements or about the possibility for an inactive status, contact the CNA Certification Program at 1-800-361-8404.
Q: In order to renew my certification by writing the exam or by continuous learning, can I send my application now?
A: Applications to renew your certification by writing the exam or by continuous learning (CL) will be accepted between September 1 and November 26, 2010.
Q: Can I count my CL hours until the end of my term, or do I need to have earned all my hours by the time I apply?
A: You can count your CL activities right up to the last day of your certification term. You might have to forecast a few hours of CL during the last months of your certification term. On your CL form, please write “anticipated” or “forecast” beside any CL activities you are planning to take. Guidelines for earning CLs activities are listed on the CNA certification website Maintain Credential (Renew) section.
Q: What happens after I send in my Certification Renewal Application form and all documents?
A: CNA understands that you will want some assurance that we have received your application. We have, therefore, enclosed a confirmation card with the application guide. We ask you to complete and send this card with your application. We will mail the card back to you to confirm receipt of your application.
If you have downloaded the application and required forms from the website and wish to have a notice card completed and returned to you, please include a stamp with your completed application.
NOTE: The return of this card does not indicate approval of your renewal application.
CNA certification staff reviews every application to determine if the applicant is eligible.
If you meet all the eligibility criteria and your application form is complete, we will send you a letter confirming your eligibility within eight weeks of receiving your complete application. If you do not receive this confirmation within 10 weeks call the CNA Certification Program Processing Centre.
CNA certification toll-free phone line: 1-800-450-5206
CNA certification e-mail: certification@cna-aiic.ca
If CNA determines that you are not eligible for certification renewal, you will be sent a written explanation of this decision.
Q: What is the fee to renew my certification by CL or by exam?
A: Certification renewal fees can be found on the last page of the application form, or click here for more information.
Q: Where does my certification renewal fee go?
A: The individual fees are carefully determined to support the ongoing activities of the CNA Certification Program. Here are some of these activities:
- Developing and maintaining the CNA certification exams
- Item writing and revising questions with CNA-certified nurses from across the country
- Developing, revising and producing the CNA certification prep guide for each specialty/area of nursing practice
- Researching the role of the CNA-certified RN
- Maintaining the CNA certification office
- Reviewing and processing certification and certification renewal applications received each year
- Promoting the CNA Certification Program to nurses across Canada
- Maintaining relationships and participating in meetings with other certification-related organizations
- Booking writing centres and recruiting invigilators
As you can see, there are many costs associated with maintaining a high quality Canadian certification program.
Q: When should I send my payment for the certification renewal fees? With the application or once I have received the eligibility letter?
A: Current, dated payments of the total fee(s) (by cheque, money order or credit card) must be submitted with your application. Applications will not be processed until receipt of full fees.
Q: When will I get my receipt?
A: We will send a receipt with the letter confirming your eligibility approximately eight weeks after your complete application is received by CNA.
Q: Is my certification renewal fee tax-deductible?
A: Certification and renewal fees do not meet the requirements of the Income Tax Act and, therefore, do not qualify as a tax credit. CNA has appealed the decision with Canada Revenue Agency but has been unsuccessful in reversing it. We will continue to monitor the situation.
Q: What do I receive once I renew my certification?
A: By successfully renewing your CNA certification credential, you will continue to have the privilege of using the credential for your specialty/area of nursing practice.
In recognition of your achievement, you will also receive a certification portfolio containing the following:
- An 8" x 10" certificate of achievement with gold seal. When you renew your certification in the future, you will receive another gold seal to apply to the certificate.
- A certification wallet card.
- The official CNA nursing certification pin for your specialty/area of nursing practice.
You will receive your certification portfolio near the end of your certification term.
Once you have renewed your certification, you will be formally recognized in the published official list of certified nurses sent to the provincial jurisdictions upon their request. Your name will also be sent to the national association national specialty association if you have agreed to this on the application form. You may also participate in CNA exam development and administration activities.
Q: For how long is my renewed certification valid?
A: Your certification renewal credential is valid for an additional five years. It is your professional responsibility to monitor the requirements needed to maintain your CNA certification and to plan for certification renewal once again.
CNA will automatically send certification renewal information to all candidates. This website also has current information about certification renewal. Again, it is important to advise the CNA Certification Program Processing Centre of any change of address so that contact can be maintained.
Q: I have returned to school to study for my baccalaureate degree in nursing. Will any of the courses count toward my nursing certification renewal?
A: University courses taken toward completion of an undergraduate nursing degree, master’s degree or PhD can count toward your certification renewal, but the course content must relate to your nursing specialty/area of nursing practice. Courses such as English literature, history or music do not count.
However, a nursing leadership, ethics or research course in which you focus on your specialty/area of nursing practice area does count. For example, you might take an ethics course and focus your assignments on ethical issues in emergency nursing. Simply state this information on the form you use to list your CL activities.
In general, a university or college semester course (e.g., from September to December) equals 36 CL hours. You can also calculate one CL hour for every clock hour you spent attending the course (e.g., 3 hours/week x 12 weeks = 36 CL hours).
For more information, refer to the Specific Guidelines for Recording Continuous Learning Activities section in the application guide or check the Maintain Credential (Renew) section of the CNA Certification website.
Q: I attended a conference related to my certification specialty/area of nursing practice, but it offered medical education credits. Does the conference count toward my nursing certification renewal?
A: Yes, you can count this conference. If you refer back to the section in the guide called General Guidelines for Recording Continuous Learning Activities, you will see that the conference counts because it relates to the specialty/area of nursing practice in which you are certified. Calculate the number of hours you attended the conference (excluding breaks) – this is the number of CL hours you can claim. Remember to keep some formal documentation to prove your attendance at this conference in case you are audited.
Q: I have the chance to attend a nursing specialty/area of nursing practice conference in Boston. Do I need pre-approval from CNA to count my attendance at this conference toward my certification renewal?
A: No, pre-approval of CL activities is not required. As long as your activity meets the guidelines, it counts. If you are ever unsure whether to count an activity, even after consulting the CL information provided, feel free to contact the CNA Certification Program.
International conferences are accepted and encouraged. Be sure to keep your formal proof of attendance at the conference in case you are audited.
Q: I have accumulated many CL activities during my certification term, and I think I have more hours than required. Should I list all my CL activities with my application? If I am audited, how many hours do I have to prove?
A: It is best to list as many CL activities as possible. However, it is also important to refer to the General Guidelines for Recording Continuous Learning Activities section of the guide to make sure you are listing allowable activities. The reviewers who read and approve your application are looking for 100 hours of CL, and they will apply the same general guidelines. Be sure to compile your list carefully, making certain that every CL activity meets the general guidelines.
If you are audited, you will have to show proof of 100 hours of CL related to your nursing specialty/area of nursing practice during your five-year certification term and align them with your chosen nursing specialty/area of nursing practice competencies.
Q: What happens if I do not meet the CL requirements for certification renewal?
A: First, carefully read the eligibility criteria and the guidelines for earning CL in the application guide so you are aware of the requirements for certification renewal. There is enough information in the guide to help most candidates determine whether they have enough CL hours. If you are still unsure about certain activities, please contact the CNA Certification Program for guidance.
If you do not meet the requirements because of special circumstances, review the guidelines for Inactive Status and/or contact the CNA Certification Program to discuss your situation.
If, after checking the guide and consulting with certification personnel, you are certain you do not have enough CL hours to meet the criteria, you can choose to renew your certification by writing the certification exam or apply for Inactive Status. If you do not apply for certification renewal in time, your credential will lapse. To earn the certification credential again, you will have to meet the current eligibility criteria, submit an application for initial certification and write the certification exam.
Next exam date: April 9, 2011
Q: I decided to renew my certification by writing the exam. Can I obtain my results electronically or verbally?
A: All results are mailed and cannot be given over the phone nor by e-mail. If you are still expecting your results nine weeks after writing the exam, please contact the CNA Certification Program at 1-800-361-8404.
Q: Can I obtain financial assistance?
A: There are various avenues that you may wish to investigate to obtain financial assistance. In addition to the information listed on the Financial Assistance portion of this website, you may wish to apply for the Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF) Certification Award, or investigate whether your jurisdiction, provincial nursing association, specialty/area of nursing practice association or employer provides funding support for certification.
Q: I have lost my certification pin. Can I obtain another one, and is there a cost associated?
A: CNA encourages you to wear your pin. We will gladly send you a replacement pin at no cost. Simply complete the Request for Replacement Pin form, call the CNA Certification Program Processing Centre or send an e-mail to certification@cna-aiic.ca.
Q: I have lost my receipt. Can I have another one issued as proof of payment of my certification fees?
A: Duplicate receipts can be issued upon request, subject to an administration charge. To obtain more information please call the CNA Certification Program Processing Centre.
Q: I am pursuing my studies in a post-RN program and the university is granting me credits for my specialty certification. How can I obtain confirmation of my certification?
A: More than 20 universities are now granting credits for specialty/area of nursing practice designation. To obtain a confirmation letter, you will need to complete the Notification of Certification for University Credits form.
Requests will also be accepted by e-mail at certification@cna-aiic.ca. Please provide all of the following information: name, certification number, address, home telephone number, work telephone number, e-mail address, program you are enrolled in, name of registrar, university, university’s mailing address and your student number.
Q: I need to renew my certification by writing the exam and I would like to set up a study group. Is there some documentation that would guide me through this process?
A: A manual entitled Building on What You Know, which deals with information and suggestions for initiating and facilitating a study group, is available on the website under the Exam Study Groups section. The manual also provides information for study group participants.
Q: I would like to join a study group but there is none in my immediate area. What can I do? Would there be other resources I could consult?
A: Building on What You Know provides some useful information for nurses who do not have access to study groups in their region or place of employment. The manual can be found in the Exam Study Groups section of the website.
One option would be to contact the facilitator from an existing study group for your specialty and discuss the feasibility of participating by telephone or e-mail. You may also wish to consult with a mentor from your specialty. Their names are available on the website under Mentors.
Updated: June 25, 2010
