Average wait for CPNE

caliotter3 · Jul 31, 2012

This varies according to the site, time of year, number of people backed up in the system. I have heard of someone who got their app approved one day, and got an appointment two days later. I am certain this is not the norm.

Aliakey · Aug 1, 2012

If I remember correctly, there's a mandatory 2 month(?) wait from time of application submission to possible CPNE date. What I've heard (through a few grapevines) is that while in the past a person could have expected a shorter wait, they found that the students who were testing did not prepare adequately for the CPNE. Kinda wasted everyone's time, money, and available testing slots.

My experience: I applied for an MPAC site when my application was completed in late April. I recieved a test date about 2 months later, and my CPNE weekend is September 14 through 16. You can call to find out about cancellations and such, which has shortened the wait for a number of students. I didn't request a cancelled spot.

Personally, I feel this wait has given me the time I need to practice skills, documentation, and so on. There is a lot to perfect for this exam. Glad I am not rushing it for a test that is this expensive and very exacting.

Good luck!

KitkatPRN · Aug 1, 2012

Aliakey: So you applied, and then it took over 4 1/2 months to get your date? Is that right? This is gonna take longer than I thought.

;-( I don't mind some extra time to study, but that is almost too much and will probably push me into paying another $500, for a yearly tuition fee, ugh ~ Did it take awhile, after finishing the FCCA, to get the required items in order to apply for the CPNE?

caliotter3 · Aug 1, 2012

Inquire with the school about waiting time after your completed application is accepted. Either for the CPNE or graduation, I've read before that they might waive another administrative fee if it goes over your anniversary date. Not sure about this and don't know the current status of this policy. Does not hurt to ask.

frankie,RN · Aug 1, 2012

I applied last year early october for npac. got a date week later for the first weekend in december in albany, ny. that was exactly two months between application and actual test date. i passed everything except for the iv minibag the first time. And graduated a month later. Just call the region number where you want to test at. they will give you an approximation of wait times. I can gaurantee you, wasting anyones money(YOURS) wont be a factor to them.

Aliakey · Aug 2, 2012

Aliakey: So you applied, and then it took over 4 1/2 months to get your date? Is that right? This is gonna take longer than I thought.
;-( I don't mind some extra time to study, but that is almost too much and will probably push me into paying another $500, for a yearly tuition fee, ugh ~ Did it take awhile, after finishing the FCCA, to get the required items in order to apply for the CPNE?

Four and a half months... yep. But it was an MPAC site, and I only chose one location because I am fortunate enough to live 20 miles away from it. The costs associated with travel and rooming in another state is more than I can handle right now. I can afford the time though.

As supported by frankie's experience, I have heard that the NPAC sites may have shorter waiting times... there's certainly far more of them than MPAC. Makes sense to me, and might be worth checking out. You can also inquire about cancellation dates while you are awaiting a test date to shorten the process.

As far as application materials after the FCCA, it took me about a week to get everything organized and taken care of. The online background check took three days for results, and I was able to schedule my physical exam with an NP in my small town clinic, so that was just a walk-in deal for me. The rest of the application process was scanning in documents, submitting information and fees to Excelsior, and all that stuff that did not take much time. You just upload scanned versions of your paperwork to complete your CPNE application.

Hope it helps!

KitkatPRN · Aug 2, 2012

Thanks !!

nursenora1 · Aug 3, 2012

I completed my application July 27, got it approved July 28 and called in for a cancelation date on August 3rd and got my official CPNE date for September 14-16th at southern regional medical center. With the new FCCA changes you are able to get your CPNE date FAST.