Computer-Based Exams are now at PSI Testing Centers as of 12/10/24. Questions? Email exam@pncb.org.

CPNP-AC Transcripts

Requirements, address, and FAQs

As of January 1, 2030, all CPNP-PC and CPNP-AC candidates must have graduated within five years from their PNP program that met the exam eligibility criteria.  Please use the below information as a guide.


CPNP-AC Exam Transcript Information

You must arrange to have your final, official transcript sent directly from your school to PNCB to complete your application. Please provide PNCB's address below to the registrar's office of your school. 

Your transcript must document completion of all requirements for a nursing post-graduate certificate or master's, BSN-DNP, or post-master’s DNP degree with a concentration in pediatric acute care or dual primary/acute care as a nurse practitioner.

 

What must show on the transcript?

  1. Degree Awarded: See FAQ 3 below.
  2. Date Degree Conferred: See FAQ 3 below.
  3. The Role (NP): If not included, have your Program Director send an official letter with this information. Contact exam@pncb.org if neither transcript nor registrar's letter conform to these requirements as required by the National Task Force Criteria and the APRN Consensus Model.
  4. The Population Focus (Pediatric Acute Care or Pediatric Dual Acute Care/Primary Care): If not included, have your Program Director send an official letter with this information. Contact exam@pncb.org if neither transcript nor registrar's letter conform to these requirements as required by the National Task Force Criteria and the APRN Consensus Model.
  5. The 3 Ps: Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Health Assessment courses. If earned in separate advanced practice educational programs, PNCB must receive transcripts from each program.

It's your responsibility to contact your school's registrar's office, request that a final transcript be sent directly to PNCB, and pay any school fee for that process.

A final transcript includes:

  • The date the degree was conferred or the post-graduate certificate was awarded,
  • The exam candidate's first and last name,
  • The role (PNP) and population (acute care or primary care) of the program AND
  • Grades for all courses

Your PNCB online application is not considered complete and will not be processed until we receive your final transcript.

Transcript Exceptions
An exception to the requirement for a final transcript may be made only if the following circumstance exists:

  • All other exam eligibility requirements have been met,
  • All didactic courses and clinical hours for the PNP program track are completed,
  • All grades are posted AND
  • The terminal degree or certificate will not be conferred for a period exceeding 30 days after graduation or
  • The candidate is enrolled in a DNP program with the final year devoted to a project and will not graduate until project completion.

Testing with a Transcript Exception
Candidates who have met criteria for an exception may be authorized to schedule their certification exam after submitting documentation from their program director. PNCB staff will contact the program for additional documentation attesting to successful completion of the requirements listed above and either a certificate or an official transcript without the posted degree.

Scores with a Transcript Exception
For all successful candidates, official exam scores will not be released and the candidate is not considered certified, despite a passing exam score, until the final transcript is received. Under this exception, candidates have 24 months from the pass date to submit the final transcript to PNCB.

For unsuccessful candidates, official failing exam scores are released and the candidate may retest according to PNCB's retest policy for all candidates. Contact us at exam@pncb.org for specific instructions.

Sending an unofficial transcript will delay your application review.

All transcripts must be sent directly to PNCB from the registrar's office of the educational institution or by a transcript service such as National Student Clearinghouse or Parchment. It may be on official letterhead, bear its official seal, or be sent electronically as described below.

It is the candidate's responsibility to request the transcript. PNCB will not accept transcripts from exam candidates.
 

  • For Electronic Transcripts: PNCB will accept electronic transcripts provided by the school and sent directly from the registrar's office or a transcript service such as National Student Clearinghouse or Parchment. Transcripts must be sent directly to transcripts@pncb.org using a secure document transfer method. Password protected PDF documents are not acceptable. PNCB reserves the right to request a hard copy of a transcript.
  • For Mailed Transcripts: Your school may mail your official transcripts directly to the address in the section below. Due to the pandemic, processing of mail and packages received in our office may be delayed between 2 to 5 days. We appreciate your patience.

Have your school mail your official transcript(s) to the address below or have your school email an electronic transcript to transcripts@pncb.org following the procedures under "What will PNCB accept for my transcript?" above.

Due to the pandemic, processing of mail and packages received in our office may be delayed between 2 to 5 days. We appreciate your patience.

Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
c/o Transcript Registrar
2101 Gaither Road, Suite 150
Rockville, Maryland 20850

Master's PNP Program?

You must submit an official graduate transcript from the academic institution you attended to earn your master's as a acute care pediatric PNP. The transcript must contain the following:

  • The degree awarded
  • Role (NP) and population (pediatric acute care) focus of the program
  • Documentation of three separate comprehensive graduate level courses:
    • Advanced physiology/pathophysiology, including general principals across the lifespan.
    • Advanced health assessment, which includes assessment of all human systems, advanced assessment techniques, concepts and approaches.
    • Advanced pharmacology, which includes pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacotherapeutics for all broad categories of agents.
      • *University of Toronto Students - Please contact your program director regarding this requirement.


Post-Graduate PNP Program?

In addition to submitting an official graduate transcript from the academic institution you attended to earn your master's in nursing, submit an official transcript from the school where you completed your post-graduate acute care PNP program. The transcript must contain the following:

  • Listing of all post-graduate PNP coursework
  • Date when the post-graduate program was completed
  • The role (NP) and population (pediatric acute care) focus of the program


BSN-DNP PNP Program?

You must submit an official transcript from the academic institution you attended to earn your Doctor of Nursing Practice as a pediatric acute care PNP. This transcript must contain the following:

  • The degree awarded
  • Role (NP) and population (pediatric acute care) focus of the program
  • Documentation of three separate comprehensive graduate level courses:
    • Advanced physiology/pathophysiology, including general principals across the lifespan.
    • Advanced health assessment, which includes assessment of all human systems, advanced assessment techniques, concepts and approaches.
    • Advanced pharmacology, which includes pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacotherapeutics for all broad categories of agents.


Post-Master's PNP DNP Program?

In addition to submitting an official graduate transcript from the academic institution you attended to earn your master's in nursing, submit an official transcript from the school where you completed your post-graduate acute care PNP program. The transcript must contain the following:

  • Listing of all post-master's DNP PNP coursework
  • Date when the post-master's DNP program was completed
  • The role (NP) and population (pediatric acute care) focus of the program

All post-master's PNP Program applicants must possess a minimum of a Master of Science in Nursing or a Doctorate of Nursing degree from a nationally accredited program. Additional documentation is required for candidates with a master's or doctorate from a non-US based graduate nursing program.

PNCB requires information documenting the process used by PNP program faculty to determine the equivalency of a non-US based or foreign transcript to a nationally accredited US master's or doctorate level nurse practitioner education. Candidates and PNP Program faculty can contact service@pncb.org to learn more.

Faces of Certification

PNCB-certified nursing professionals work in a variety of roles and settings throughout the US and beyond. Share your photo today!

Jill Davis, CPNP-PC, PMHS Harmony Health Clinic Fairfax, VA
Margot Bernardino, CPN Driscoll Children's Hospital Corpus Christi, TX
Tajmara Eaton, CPNP-AC, CPNP-PC Grand Valley Pediatrics Grand Junction, CO
View more Faces of Certification