Age Parameters
In recent times, there has been movement away from defining age parameters in the strictest sense. Health care communities now recognize it may best serve a patient beyond age 18 or 21 to receive pediatric provider care, particularly when a patient has chronic childhood conditions (e.g., cystic fibrosis).
As an example, a PNP specializes in cardiology and sees a young adult with congenital heart disease. However, it may be beyond the scope for the same PNP to manage more typical adult problems in the same patient.
PNCB does not hold the authority to define patient age limits for individual practitioners: Your board of nursing does. States may widely vary in age range limits for scope of practice. Sometimes state board age ranges for scopes of practice are not spelled out. Sometimes they defer to certification boards. It is crucial that you understand your state board's practice act, but we invite you to consider resources in the chart below to inform discussions.
| Source | Age Range |
|---|---|
PNCB Primary Care CPNP Exam |
Exam competencies are based on providing care to children from birth through young adult. PNCB refers to the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty (NONPF) Population-Focused Nurse Practitioner Competencies. |
PNCB Acute Care CPNP Exam |
Exam competencies are based on providing care to children from birth through young adult. PNCB refers to the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty (NONPF) Population-Focused Nurse Practitioner Competencies. |
Boards of Nursing |
Varies by state. |
NAPNAP |
Through 21 years of age and, in specific situations based on patient needs, individuals older than 21 years until care can be successfully transitioned to adult health care providers National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) Position Statement on Age Parameters for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Practice. NAPNAP Statement on Age Parameters During COVID-19 Pandemic. |
NAPNAP, SPN & ANA |
Through 21 years of age and, in specific situations based on patient needs, individuals older than 21 years until care can be successfully transitioned to adult health care providers Pediatric Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice published by NAPNAP, the Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN) and the American Nurses Association. |
LACE |
A rigid establishment of population age parameters is not in the best interest of patients. Circumstances exist in which a patient, by virtue of age, could fall outside the traditionally defined population focus of an APRN but, by virtue of special need, is best served by that APRN. Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, and Education (LACE) Clarifying Statement. |
AAP |
The establishment of arbitrary age limits on pediatric care by health care providers should be discouraged…The decision to continue care with a pediatrician or pediatric medical or surgical subspecialist should be made solely by the patient (and family, when appropriate) and the physician and must take into account the physical and psychosocial needs of the patient and the abilities of the pediatric provider to meet these needs. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Policy Statement on Age Limits in Pediatrics. |
