The CNA Certification Program offers certification in 22 nursing practice specialties. As of January 2020, 18 certification exams are offered.
In 2019 we introduced certification to licensed/registered practical nurses.
Once certified, you can proudly use the credentials associated with your specialty after your name.
Retired exams in 2019
For a certification exam to be feasible there needs to be enough nurses practising in the specialty. This ensures a minimum number of exam writers annually. Five certification exams – gastroenterology, neuroscience, orthopaedic, perianesthesia and rehabilitation – were considered no longer sustainable for CNA. After much consultation with the respective nursing specialty associations, CNA has decided to retire these exams effective November 2019.
Please note: Nurses certified in any of these five specialties can maintain their credential by renewing every five years through continuous learning only. Renewal by exam is no longer being offered.
| Cardiovascular |
CCN(C) ® |
Certified in Cardiovascular Nursing (C)anada |
| Community Health |
CCHN(C) ® |
Certified in Community Health Nursing (C)anada |
| Critical Care |
CNCC(C) ® |
Certified Nurse in Critical Care (C)anada |
| Critical Care Pediatrics |
CNCCP(C) ® |
Certified Nurse in Critical Care Pediatrics (C)anada |
| Emergency |
ENC(C) ® |
Emergency Nurse Certified (C)anada |
| Gastroenterology — renewal by CL hours only |
CGN(C) ® |
Certified in Gastroenterology Nursing (C)anada |
Gerontology
for registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses and nurse practitioners |
GNC(C) ® |
Gerontological Nurse Certified (C)anada |
Gerontology
for licensed/registered practical nurses |
GPNC(C) ® |
Gerontology Practical Nurse Certified (C)anada |
| Hospice Palliative Care |
CHPCN(C) ® |
Certified in Hospice Palliative Care Nursing (C)anada |
Medical-Surgical
for registered nurses and nurse practitioners |
CMSN(C) ® |
Certified in Medical-Surgical Nursing (C)anada |
Medical-Surgical Nursing
for licensed/registered practical nurses — first exam in November 2020 |
MSPNC(C) ® |
Medical-Surgical Practical Nurse Certified (C)anada |
| Neonatal |
CNeoN(C) ® |
Certified in Neonatal Nursing (C)anada |
| Nephrology |
CNeph(C) ® |
Certified in Nephrology (C)anada |
| Neuroscience — renewal by CL hours only |
CNN(C) ® |
Certified in Neuroscience Nursing (C)anada |
| Occupational Health |
COHN(C) ® |
Certified in Occupational Health Nursing (C)anada |
| Oncology |
CON(C) ® |
Certified in Oncology Nursing (C)anada |
| Orthopaedics — renewal by CL hours only |
ONC(C) ® |
Orthopaedic in Nursing Certified (C)anada |
| Pediatrics |
CpedN(C) ® |
Certified in Pediatric Nursing (C)anada |
| PeriAnesthesia — renewal by CL hours only |
PANC(C) ® |
PeriAnesthesia Nurse Certified (C)anada |
| Perinatal |
PNC(C) ® |
Perinatal Nurse Certified (C)anada |
| Perioperative |
CPN(C) ® |
Certified in Perioperative Nursing (C)anada |
Psychiatric and Mental Health
for registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses and nurse practitioners |
CPMHN(C) ® |
Certified in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing (C)anada |
| Rehabilitation — renewal by CL hours only |
CRN(C) ® |
Certified in Rehabilitation Nursing (C)anada |
| Wound, Ostomy and Continence |
WOCC(C) ® |
Wound, Ostomy and Continence Certified (C)anada |
® Registered trademarks of the Canadian Nurses Association.
There is a national association for each specialty, collectively forming part of CNA’s Canadian Network of Nursing Specialties. If you’re not already a member of your specialty association, learn more about how membership will benefit you professionally — especially if you are still considering certification.