Certification

One way for hospice and palliative care professionals to recognize our expertise is through certification. This involves a process that validates and evaluates one’s expertise in a specialty area. While licensure assures minimal competency to practice in a field, certification indicates mastery of a defined body of knowledge. 

The Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC) offers specialty certification to hospice and palliative nurses, and others members of the interdisciplinary team.  We currently offer five hospice and palliative certification exams for advanced practice nurses, registered nurses, pediatric palliative nurses, nursing assistants, and those dealing with perinatal loss.  We also maintain two other hospice and palliative credentials for licensed practical/vocational nurses and administrators. Over 18,000 health care professionals hold HPCC credentials that establish a professional commitment to safe, ethical, and evidence-based care. Find out more about our credentials below. 

Why Certification?
Certification FAQs
Scaled Scores FAQs

Our Credentials


The Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN®) examination is designed for experienced hospice and palliative advanced practice registered nurses.

APRN

The Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN®) examination is designed for experienced registered nurses.

RN

The Certified Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse (CHPPN®) examination is designed for experienced hospice and palliative pediatric registered nurses.

Pediatric

The Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant (CHPNA®) examination is designed for experienced hospice and palliative nursing assistants.

NA

The Certified in Perinatal Loss Care (CPLC®) examination is designed for professionals in a health care role that provide to those experiencing perinatal loss.

Perinatal


Maintained Through Recertification



Those currently holding the Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse (CHPLN®) credential can maintain it through recertification.

LP/VN



Those currently holding the Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Administrator (CHPCA®) credential can maintain it through recertification.

Admin

 

Testing Windows and Deadlines

March 1 - 31

  • December 1 - Application Start Date
  • January 15 - Paper Application Deadline
  • February 15 - Online Application Deadline

June 1 - 30

  • March 1 - Application Start Date
  • April 15 - Paper Application Deadline
  • May 15 - Online Application Deadline

September 1 - 30

  • June 1 - Application Start Date
  • July 15 - Paper Application Deadline
  • August 15 - Online Application Deadline

December 1 - 30

  • September 1 - Application Start Date
  • October 15 - Paper Application Deadline
  • November 15 - Online Application Deadline
Each certification examination is administered by appointment only, Monday through Friday at 9:00am and 1:30pm, and evening and Saturday appointments may be scheduled based on availability.  Candidates are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. The examination is not offered on holidays during the offered windows (Labor Day, December 24-26, and New Year's Eve). All applications are processed for the corresponding testing windows only.