Specialty Certification

Professional Development Last Updated: 2011/3/8

Certification in one of 19 specialties/areas of nursing practice shows your commitment to nursing excellence and continuing competence! The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) manages the only national nursing certification program in Canada.

May be the best career move you’ll ever make…

What is certification?

CNA certification is a voluntary, recognized credential for registered nurses who meet specific nursing practice criteria, continuous learning and exam-based testing requirements. The credential, which must be renewed every five years, confirms that an RN has demonstrated competence in a nursing specialty/area of nursing practice by having met predetermined standards.

Benefits of certification

Your CNA certification credential indicates to patients, employers, the public and professional licensing bodies that you are qualified, competent and current in a nursing specialty/area of nursing practice. Preparing for the rigorous certification exam ensures your specialized knowledge and skills are current and comprehensive; renewing your certification through continuous learning ensures you stay that way. Having a trademarked certification credential after your name validates your competency in your area of nursing practice. It’s a tangible distinction, confirming your knowledge and skill levels in your specialty.

Other benefits of certification can include:

• Greater job opportunities, as some employers list certification as a preferred qualification
• Career advancement and increased responsibilities
• Potential for salary differentials and reimbursement of certification exam costs
• Formal recognition in the workplace
• University credit toward obtaining a nursing degree
• Opportunity to participate in exam development activities and act as a certification mentor to share your knowledge with the next generation of certified nurses

Meeting national standards of excellence

Certification represents a commitment to the leading edge in health-care standards. RNs who achieve certification commit to a national standard of professional competence that demonstrates their understanding of an area of nursing practice. CNA certification also supports and gives national scope to continuing competence initiatives mandated by provincial/territorial quality assurance programs. RNs who achieve certification join a growing network of specialized nurses – more than 16,000 strong – in an increasing number of areas of nursing practice.

Download the CNA certification brochure

Certification test development

CNA certification exams are developed by CNA-certified registered nurses across Canada with the assistance of Canada’s Testing Company, Assessment Strategies Inc. (ASI). The RNs act as content-matter experts while ASI ensures the exams are valid and reliable. ASI is Canada’s first choice for comprehensive assessment services, from research in the field of testing and measurement, to the development, administration and auditing of national credentialing and continuing competence programs. ASI has specialized in serving regulated professions for over 25 years.