The CNA Certification Program consists of 22 nursing practice specialties, with 19 exams offered. For most of the program’s 29-year history, certification has been only available to registered nurses and nurse practitioners. We are pleased to now offer several certification exams to licensed practical nurses, registered practical nurses and registered psychiatric nurses.
In 2019 we introduced certification in gerontology to licensed/registered practical nurses; in 2020 we added medical-surgical nursing. Certification for registered psychiatric nurses began in 2020 with exams offered in gerontology as well as psychiatric and mental health nursing.
The list of certifications in nursing practice specialities is found below, along with a note identifying which is available to licensed/registered practical nurses or registered psychiatric nurses.
Once certified, you can proudly use the credentials associated with your specialty after your name.
| 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 |
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.
*Exams were retired in November 2019. Nurses certified in any of these five specialties can maintain their credential by renewing every five years through continuous learning only.