CHPN Certification: Overview and FAQ
Are you wondering how to get CHPN certification? These credentials show expertise in the field of hospice and palliative care nursing. If you’re an experienced nurse in this area, you could make a great candidate for this credential. Plus, it looks great on your resume and could boost your confidence.
When patients have serious illnesses that impact both quality and quantity of life, hospice nurses and palliative nurses may step in to support new goals of care. Instead of aiming for a cure, this specialty prioritizes comfort, dignity, and support for both patients and their families. These clinicians are experts in symptom management, family education, and end-of-life care. If you’re interested in certifying your hospice and palliative care skills, learn more about this certification, its benefits, and how to earn it.
What Is CHPN Certification?
A Certification in Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing shows that a nurse has obtained the gold-standard credential in end-of-life and supportive care. It’s offered by the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA), which also offers credentials for NPs, APRNs, social workers, and more.
Obtaining CHPN as an RN means you have extensive experience and expertise in helping patients and families through some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives, by managing pain and symptoms and addressing emotional, spiritual, and psychosocial needs.
Not every RN can achieve this credential — they must meet additional practice requirements and pass a test in order to be certified. Hospice and palliative nurse certification is held by fewer than 8,000 nurses, so earning it is a mark of distinction in the field.
Benefits of Hospice Nursing Certification
Why pursue this credential if it’s not a requirement for practice? Specialty certifications can have many potential benefits:
- Credibility: While licensure shows you’re safe to practice, certification shows you’ve mastered the knowledge domain of a specific field of nursing, enhancing your credibility among peers and leadership.
- Competition: Because not everyone earns a certification, having one on your hospice nurse resume can set you apart when you’re applying for new roles or asking for a raise.
- Competency: Nurses who earn certification often feel that they have solidified their knowledge in the process. Becoming a certified nurse could build your confidence and improve the care you provide.
- Compensation: Hospice care agencies and facilities may offer pay bonuses for certified nurses. Some will even cover your certification costs. Ask your manager or HR representative about the financial rewards of certification.
How to Get Hospice and Palliative Care Certification: 4 Steps
What does it take to earn certification in hospice and palliative care nursing? If you meet the requirements, it’s possible to earn this credential in just a few months. Check out the steps below.
Step 1: Understand CHPN Eligibility
Before applying, you’ll need to meet these requirements:
- Hold a current and unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or a territory.
- Work as a hospice and palliative care RN for at least 500 hours in the last 12 months, or 1,000 hours in the last 24 months.
Step 2: Apply for Certification
CHPN is offered on a quarterly basis, so you’ll apply for a specific testing window by making an account on the HPCC certification portal. Faxed and paper applications won’t be accepted, so be sure to complete your application online. Once you’ve logged in, select the CHPN exam and fill out your information.
After your application is submitted, the board will review your eligibility, and if you’re confirmed, you’ll get an email to select your testing date. You’ll need your Candidate ID and email address to log into the PSI website and book your exam. The test can be taken online with a remote proctor or in person at a testing center.
See the testing windows that correspond with application dates below:
| Application Start Date | Application Deadline | Testing Window |
|---|---|---|
| December 1 | February 15 | March 1–31 |
| March 1 | May 15 | June 1–30 |
| June 1 | August 15 | September 1–30 |
| September 1 | November 15 | December 1–31 |
How much does the CHPN certification cost? You can expect one of these fees depending on your membership status:
- Non-HPNA members: $455
- HPNA members: $305
Step 3: Pass the Certification Exam
How hard is the CHPN exam? About 70% of candidates pass the test on the first attempt. You can prepare by making a study schedule, reviewing the exam outline, and answering practice questions. Be sure to review the HPCC’s study tips as you prepare.
Here’s an outline of content that may be covered on the CHPN exam:
- Patient care
- Assessment and planning
- Pain management
- Symptom management
- Support, education, and advocacy
- Practice issues
Once you finish the test, you’ll get a score report, which will tell you whether you passed or failed. Scores are communicated on a scale of 200 to 800, and you’ll need at least 500 points to pass. This system is designed to account for differences in question difficulty in different forms of the test. If you passed, congratulations! You can now list CHPN in your professional title.
What if you fail the CHPN exam? The retesting assurance program allows you to take the same exam for a discounted fee of $135. You’ll need to reapply within the next three testing windows to take advantage of this program.
Step 4: Maintain Your Credential
This certification lasts four years, at which point you’ll need to renew through the Hospice and Palliative Accrual for Recertification (HPAR) process to remain active. You’ll likely receive a renewal notice in your email, and you can begin the application up to a year before your credential expires.
To qualify for renewal, you’ll need to complete an exercise assessing your situational judgement. HPAR also includes requirements for practice and work hours, as well as professional activities. If you miss the deadline but are still within three years of your renewal date, you can reactivate your credential by testing again. Log in to your account to learn more.
The renewal and reactivation fees are below:
Early bird renewals:
- Nonmembers: $410
- HPNA members: $270
Standard renewals:
- Nonmembers: $520
- HPNA members: $380
Reactivations:
- Nonmembers: $680
- HPNA members: $540
Hospice Nurse Certification FAQ
Can you earn CHPN certification online?
Yes — the application process is fully online, and you can take the exam at home with a live remote proctor.
Is there a hospice certification for LPNs?
Yes! While CHPN is a hospice certification for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses can pursue certification as a Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse (CHPLN). The two have similar practice requirements, but you’ll take an exam that’s suited to the LPN scope of practice.
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