CPC at a glance
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are recertified under the Continued Professional Certification (CPC) program developed by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). The new requirements took effect August 1, 2016.
The CPC Program is based on 8-year periods comprised of two 4-year cycles. It focuses on professional development and continuing education in the four domains of anesthesia care:
Airway Management Techniques
Applied Clinical Pharmacology
Human Physiology and Pathophysiology
Anesthesia Equipment and Technology
What the CPC program includes
Credits in excess of the required 60 in a four-year cycle can be used to meet your Class B requirements.
Class A credits are assessed and given (prior or non-prior) approval by AANA.
Educational activities that may qualify:
- Meetings & Workshops
- Online courses, such as those provided by AANA
- AANA’s CE Opportunities
Class B credits are not assessed and do not need prior approval.
Fulfill Class B requirements by using any excess Class A credits earned during your four-year cycle (All 100 credits can be Class A).
Class B credits recognize diverse professional activities, including:
- Life support classes
- Involvement on a board or research project
- Teaching or publishing
- New clinical practice role
Free Class B credit tracking for AANA members
This popular member benefit is available at no charge. Conveniently and accurately account for all Class B credits you earn. Submit Class B Credit.
The Core Modules provide a means to stay informed about current literature and evidence-based knowledge.
They address the four domains of anesthesia practice:
- Airway Management
- Applied Clinical Pharmacology
- Human Physiology and Pathophysiology
- Anesthesia Equipment and Technology
AANA is recognized by NBCRNA as a designated Core Module Provider. Explore Core Modules
The CPC Assessment (CPCA) is a performance standard assessment.
Depending on year of recertification, your first assessment will be taken between 2020–2025.
It will include 150 questions, be closed book, and have a three-hour time limit. It is not pass/fail.
The assessment does not impact your certification. However, additional targeted continuing education would be required for any area(s) where you do not meet the performance standard.
Timelines are based on recertification schedules for even or odd years. See timelines
You will still check in every two years. This component maintains the same timing as the previous recertification program.
This check-in is now a brief, online process.
Certification at a glance
Timing
2-year recertification cycle
8-year period with 2 four-year cycles
Continuing Education (CE)
40 CE credits every 2-year cycle
100 credits of continuing education and professional development every 4-year cycle (60 Class A credits and 40 Class B credits)
Core Modules
None
Four educational modules, one for each domain of anesthesia care:
- Airway management technique
- Applied clinical pharmacology
- Human physiology and pathophysiology
- Anesthesia equipment and technology
Mandatory beginning the second 4-year cycle (2020 or 2021 depending on recert year)
Assessment
None
The CPC Assessment (CPCA)
- Performance standard assessment
- 150 questions; three-hour time limit
- No impact on certification, no matter how one performs on this assessment
- NOT a pass/fail assessment
Cost
$110 application fee every two years
Does not include CE credits
$250 every four years
Does not include: Class A assessed CE credits, Class B professional development credits or Core Modules
2-Year Check-In
None
The 2-year Check-in will be a simple, online process to:
- Validate your state licensure
- Confirm continuing practice
- Update your contact information
- Review your progress towards CPC Program compliance and make plans for the next two years
Countdown to Lifelong Learning
To view your estimated timeline for participating in the CPC program, please indicate whether you are scheduled to recertify in even or odd years.
.First 4-year CPC cycle
- 60 Class A Assessed CE Credits
- 40 Class B Credits
- CPC Core Modules (Optional)
- No CPC Assessment
Second 4-year CPC cycle
- 60 Class A Assessed CE Credits
- 40 Class B Credits
- CPC Core Modules
- CPC Assessment
- 60 Class A Assessed CE Credits
- 40 Class B Credits
- CPC Core Modules
- No CPC Assessment
- 60 Class A Assessed CE Credits
- 40 Class B Credits
- CPC Core Modules
- CPC Assessment
First 4-year CPC cycle
- 60 Class A Assessed CE Credits
- 40 Class B Credits
- CPC Core Modules (Optional)
- No CPC Assessment
Second 4-year CPC cycle
- 60 Class A Assessed CE Credits
- 40 Class B Credits
- CPC Core Modules
- CPC Assessment
- 60 Class A Assessed CE Credits
- 40 Class B Credits
- CPC Core Modules
- No CPC Assessment
- 60 class A Assessed CE Credits
- 40 class B Credits
- CPC Core Modules
- CPC Assessment
FAQs
- Yes, per NBCRNA.
- Begins in the 2020/2021 recertification cycle.
- No one is exempt from the taking the modules.
- This includes SRNAs that graduate in 2020 and begin working in 2020.
- While the current CPC Core Modules will not count towards the NBCRNA requirement, you can still complete them and apply the credit to your Class A CE Credit requirement (at least 60 Class A credits).
- Yes. One of the strengths of the CPC Program is that the 4 Core Modules are linked to the content outline of the CPC Assessment; however, the CPC Assessment may cover content not addressed in the modules.
- All information regarding recertification can be found on NBCRNA’s website.
- Here’s the link that specifically takes you to the NBCRNA’s FAQ.
- If you have any questions about the recertification process or requirements, please contact the NBCRNA through [email protected] or call 708-667-0002.