Your CPN Exam Appointment
Ready to schedule your exam? Need to change your current appointment, extend your 90-day testing window, or withdraw/cancel? You're in the right place!
You must schedule your exam and test during the 90-day testing window assigned by PNCB. This window starts the day your complete application is approved. You are notified promptly by eligibility email notification when your window starts so you can schedule your exam appointment.
Don't forfeit your fees or a code benefit!
If you do not schedule and test in this timeframe, you forfeit fees or miss out on a use of your No Pass, No Pay code. It's your responsibility to understand all exam policies, procedures, and requirements. This includes required IDs, lateness, and no-show.
Where and when you test
PNCB’s certification programs are administered at PSI, at more than 300 testing centers, and by live remote proctoring (LRP) using your own computer in a private location.
PNCB assigns you a 90-day testing window in which to test. Schedule your appointment soon after you receive your window, even if you plan to test toward the end of the 90 days. Seats can fill up, and appointments are first-come, first-served.
On-Site Exams
Typical testing center hours are Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM and Saturdays 8 AM - 1 PM. Available times show when scheduling on PSI's website. Exams may not be offered on major holidays.
1. Receive Approval & Scheduling Notification from PNCB
- Watch for this important email from PNCB within 2 days of approval of your complete application. You are assigned a 90-day testing window. You must schedule your exam and test within this timeframe.
- Check your application status regularly. If you do not receive your emailed notification, check spam then log in to your portal for a copy under Message Report. Once you receive it, you are ready to make your exam appointment with PSI.
2. Make Your Appointment
- Log in to your PNCB portal.
- Located in the Message History on the right side of the portal, click the message detail for the Exam Approval Next Steps.
- Within the notification, click the “Use this link” to access your exam.
- Schedule your exam within the approved testing period, and you will receive an email confirmation.
You may choose to test at an in-person testing center or by using LRP.
3. Confirm You Have Acceptable ID
- On-Site Exam: Don't forfeit your fees! You must present one valid, government-issued, photo-bearing identification that matches the first and last name on your exam application. Compare the forms of identification you plan to take to the test center with PNCB's ID requirements. Do you have the right ID? Has your name changed? Are ID dates expired?
If you are unable to test during your scheduled appointment, you can reschedule by:
- Logging in to the PNCB portal.
- Going to “Message History” and opening the “Exam Approved: Next Steps ” email message in the Message History, and
- Clicking on the “Use this link” to be taken to the PSI testing platform and then
- Following the on-screen prompts to reschedule your exam within your assigned testing period.
Appointments must be canceled 48 hours before the test date. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of all fees.
Candidates who fail to appear for their scheduled appointment will be considered no-shows, and all fees will be forfeited.
Unable to test during your assigned window? Consider requesting an extension.
- The extension fee is not refundable under any circumstances.
- No Pass, No Pay candidates are unable to request extensions because doing so may move a testing window beyond their employer's agreement period.
- You may only extend one time per application.
- The new 90-day testing window begins once your application for an extension is processed. It does not grant you 180 days to take the exam.
To request an extension, complete each of these steps:
- Check dates: Candidates must complete the extension application 5 full business days before the end their initial testing window. The extension can only be made if your testing period has not expired. Check my 90-day window.
- Cancel existing appointment with PSI: If you have already scheduled a testing date and time, it is your responsibility to cancel your appointment within 48 hours of your scheduled exam - or you will forfeit all fees. Confirm your PSI cancellation with PNCB: Email exam@pncb.org to let us know you have cancelled your appointment. Confirm your PSI cancellation with PNCB: Email exam@pncb.org to let us know you have cancelled your exam appointment.
- Order extension: Contact PNCB at 1-888-641-2767 or exam@pncb.org so PNCB can process your request, then notify you of your newly assigned 90-day testing period, which begins on the day PNCB processes your extension order. You may then schedule your new testing appointment with PSI.
You can cancel/withdraw from your exam by logging into PSI using the link provided in your exam eligibility email. You must cancel within 48 hours of your scheduled appointment or you will forfeit all fees paid and be considered a no show, which means you would need to pay for and create a new exam application.
Email a withdrawal request to exam@pncb.org. Your request must be received at PNCB 16 business days before expiration of your assigned testing window in order to receive a refund of the examination fee only ($130 registration fee non-refundable).
Withdrawal requests received following the expiration of a testing period will not be honored, and no fees will be refunded. To test in the future, the candidate must reapply and pay all fees.
Exam Fees
• $300 initial exam fee ($100 non-refundable registration fee)
• $245 non-refundable exam fee
• $150 non-refundable extension fee.
Please review the Exam Candidate Handbook for additional policies
