Recertification changes for CRNAs

Published

Specializes in CRNA.

the national board of certification & recertification for nurse anesthetists (nbcrna) has announced changes for recertification. nothing will change until 2015, and then:

you will recertify every 4 years

you will need to have 35 ceus every year

you will need to pass a recertification exam every 8 years

the first deadline to pass the exam will be the end of 2022 (or jan 1, 2023 which is 2015 + 8 years)

you can take the exam early and if you fail, no penalty, just need to pass by the deadline

i obtained this information by talking to them at the booth at the national convention last week, there really isn't much in writing at this time. they also empasized that it will not be the certification exam, but an exam designed for people in practice. they haven't decided on a number of times the exam could be attempted, or the cost of the exam.

i think many people will find it more difficult to obtain 35 ceus a year, than to pass the exam every 8 years.

on their website at nbcrna.org they will be taking public comments beginning sept 6.

seeking comments on the nbcrna's proposed continued professional certification program

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Anesthesia, ICU, ED.

this was in my email today:

dear colleagues,

the launch of the continuous professional certification (cpc) program by the national board of certification and recertification for nurse anesthetists (nbcrna) at the aana annual meeting in boston has generated much interest, concern, and discussion among the aana membership. while the aana board of directors and staff are always interested in what you, the aana members, have to say about a new program, i felt it was important to clarify a few important points concerning the relationship between the aana and nbcrna.

the aana and the nbcrna are separate entities that share the same mailing address (the nbcrna rents office space from the aana). beyond that, the two organizations function autonomously, and no aana dues money is used to support the nbcrna or the recertification process.

the purpose of the nbcrna is to determine certification and recertification standards and guidelines for crnas; accordingly, the nbcrna took it upon itself to study and chart a possible future course for the recertification of crnas (the cpc) that was introduced in concept at the annual meeting. details about this proposed program will be forthcoming shortly from the nbcrna, and a comment period will enable nurse anesthetists to weigh in with their comments.

please note: this is not an aana initiative; it is exclusively the work of the nbcrna.

in the meantime, following is important information that will help answer some of your questions about the cpc program until the nbcrna makes additional information available.

  • the cpc program is announced on the nbcrna homepage (www.nbcrna.com) with a link to a one-page description of the program components.
  • all questions should be directed to [email protected] or colleen ahearn at (866) 894-3908.
  • a frequently asked questions (faqs) document is being developed and will be posted on the nbcrna website during the week of august 21.
  • the link to the cpc program survey will go live september 6, 2011, and comments will be accepted through november 14, 2011.
  • the nbcrna will develop a "cpc state tool kit" after the cpc program components are finalized following the january 2012 nbcrna board of directors meeting.

in addition:

  1. the nbcrna is conducting a professional practice analysis (ppa) survey to help validate the content of the national certification examination (nce).
  2. this survey will define the framework for the nce for several years to come to ensure the exam's currency and relevance.
  3. the survey invitation was sent to members this week from castle worldwide consultants.
  4. the ppa survey is open for participation until september 12, 2011.
  5. a link is available on the nbcrna homepage (www.nbcrna.com) allowing members to request to participate in this important survey.

i encourage you to visit the nbcrna website for additional information and to participate in the ppa survey to provide your input on the future nce. be sure to be on the lookout for additional information concerning the cpc program that will be released in the next two weeks. and please don't hesitate to direct any questions and comments to [email protected] or colleen ahearn at (866) 894-3908.

sincerely,

99.jpg

debra p. malina, crna, mba, dnsc, apn

president

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.

Yes, according to NBCRNA (our certifying body) we will have to pass a standardized test every 8 years. If you fail to pass in 4 attempts, you have to re-take boards. Scary! I've been out 2 years and I've forgotten tons. I can't imagine what some of my colleges who have been out for 20+ years must be thinking.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.
Yes, according to NBCRNA (our certifying body) we will have to pass a standardized test every 8 years. If you fail to pass in 4 attempts, you have to re-take boards. Scary! I've been out 2 years and I've forgotten tons. I can't imagine what some of my colleges who have been out for 20+ years must be thinking.

The re-certification test is going to be different than the initial certification test. It is supposed to be designed for working CRNAs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CRNA.
Yes, according to NBCRNA (our certifying body) we will have to pass a standardized test every 8 years. If you fail to pass in 4 attempts, you have to re-take boards. Scary!

Where did you get the information on 4 attempts? I specifically asked about number of attempts to a member of the NBCRNA and was told that had yet to be determined.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CRNA.
The re-certification test is going to be different than the initial certification test. It is supposed to be designed for working CRNAs.

I think it will be a positive for the profession, but initially is going to cause a lot of anxiety. It is not going to be 'boards' and with a little effort it will be easily passed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.

from the nbcrna website continued competence for nurse anesthetists

recertification examination

successful completion of a standardized recertification examination based on a published content outline consistent with the four core competencies of the cpc program is required every eight years. certified registered nurse anesthetists may take the recertification examination at any time during the second four-year recertification cycle. given the cpc program implementation date of january 1, 2015, all certified registered nurse anesthetists will be required to satisfy the recertification examination requirement no later than december 31, 2023.

recertification examination candidates must pass the test before the expiration date of their certification. those who fail the recertification examination on their first attempt are permitted a total of three additional attempts before their expiration date. passing the recertification examination on any attempt results in recertification, and failure after the fourth attempt results in the loss of certification at its expiration date.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.

Did anyone go to the meeting in Boston? I've been getting my info from the NBCRNA website. I'm curious as to what was said at the meeting.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CRNA.
Did anyone go to the meeting in Boston? I've been getting my info from the NBCRNA website. I'm curious as to what was said at the meeting.

I was at the meeting, and had noticed the NBCRNA was going to speak prior to the business meeting and made sure I was there to hear them. The presentation was very nonspecific, and at the booth I asked some specific questions. On grandfathering, they said since everyone can practice until 2013, that in effect that did grandfather people in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CRNA.
from the nbcrna website continued competence for nurse anesthetists

recertification examination

successful completion of a standardized recertification examination based on a published content outline consistent with the four core competencies of the cpc program is required every eight years. certified registered nurse anesthetists may take the recertification examination at any time during the second four-year recertification cycle. given the cpc program implementation date of january 1, 2015, all certified registered nurse anesthetists will be required to satisfy the recertification examination requirement no later than december 31, 2023.

recertification examination candidates must pass the test before the expiration date of their certification. those who fail the recertification examination on their first attempt are permitted a total of three additional attempts before their expiration date. passing the recertification examination on any attempt results in recertification, and failure after the fourth attempt results in the loss of certification at its expiration date.

thanks, i think the standard should not be higher than for those taking the initial cert exam. a grad can take the cert exam 4 times over a year, and then 4 times the next year before they are done. i think it should be the same for the recert exam.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.

I think 8 attempts and 2 years to take/pass the NCE is actually a little lax. You have 4 years and 4 attempts to pass the recert exam which seems reasonable to me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
I think 8 attempts and 2 years to take/pass the NCE is actually a little lax. You have 4 years and 4 attempts to pass the recert exam which seems reasonable to me.

Is this really true? 8 attempts in two years? When did we lower that standard?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion