The CNA Certification Program offers certification in 22 nursing practice specialties. As of January 2020, 19 certification exams are offered.
We’ve recently introduced certification to licensed/registered practical nurses in gerontology (2019) and in medical surgical nursing (2020).
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.