Certification

Did you know?  Over 1,300 critical care nurses across Canada have their national Canadian Nurses Association specialty designation!  Care to Be the Best!

The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Critical Care Certification Examinations (Adult and Pediatric), were developed in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses (CACCN).

CACCN, is the professional voice for critical care nursing in Canada, and has played a key role in developing the standards and guidance for critical care nursing practice, including the certification program. The initial certification program for critical care nursing was launched in 1995 and is available for both adult and pediatric critical care. 

CACCN does not administer the certification examination or manage renewal of certification. We do however support the examination through the question writing, review and promotion of the exam. Becoming certified in your specialty of critical care demonstrates your commitment to nursing excellence and continuing competence. Successful completion of the examination enables critical care nurses to hold the credential of Certified Nurse in Critical Care – Canada (CNCC(C)) or Certified Nurse in Critical Care – Pediatrics (CNCCP(C)) for a period of 5 years. 

Note: Holding certification and/or membership with the Canadian Nurses Association does not provide automatic membership with the Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses (CACCN) and vice versa. CNA and CACCN are separate organizations requiring separate membership fees.

Funding Opportunities

• CACCN Certification Bursary:
  • Bursaries are completed by application and a blind draw.
  • Members must meet the overall and bursary criteria to be eligible.
  • Initial Certification 2025– must have written the examination in Spring or Fall of 2025 – two bursaries of $500 each are awarded.
  • Renewal Certification 2025 – must have renewed certification between January 1 and December 15, 2025 – four bursaries of $ 250 each are awarded.
  • For more information and the link to apply, visit the Awards, Grants and Bursary page.
• Other Financial Resources

CACCN Certification Resources – Members Only

• Access the Certification Resources – To access the certification resources, you must be an active/current CACCN Member. Sign into the website, select Members Only in the navigation bar / side, select Certification Study Resources and Certification Webinars or click the above noted links. Not a current member? JOINUS now
• Webinars
  • Becoming Certified: CNA Specialty Examination – CACCN Tips for Writing Success.
  • Certification Systems Review Webinars
  • Paediatric Certification Webinars
• Study Guide
  • Certification Study Guide – The guide is prepared using case study style questions.  The guide includes questions and answers to enhance your studies for the examination. 

Canadian Nurses Association – Important Information and Dates

• CNA Website

• Frequently asked questions

• 2025 Spring Initial Examination
  • Apply January 15 to March 31
  • Examination Window May 1 to 15
• 2025 Fall Initial Examination
  • Apply June 16 to September 30
  • Examination Window November 1 to 15
• 2025 Renewal by Continuing Learning Hours
  • Apply January 15 to December 15

Maintain your hard earned credential – Earn Continuing Learning Hours (CL)

• Maintain your CACCN Membership: 4 CL hours per year
• Webinars – Live and Recorded: 1 hour webinar = 1 CL hour
• CACCN National or Chapter Event: Full day = 6 CL hours / Half day = 3 CL hours; 1 hour education night = 1 CL hour.
• Join a CACCN Committee: 25 CL hours maximum: Committee activity related to your certification nursing specialty/area of nursing practice (i.e. includes serving on the planning committee for a specialty conference or on the executive of the association for your area of nursing practice).
• Volunteering: 25 CL hours maximum – related to your nursing specialty association (e.g., with a not-for-profit organization or charity, serving as a board member or delivering presentations to clients and/or consumers.).
• Presentations, lectures and posters:  –  credits for presentations you make to other health professionals on topics related to your area of certification.  Prep time is included: Calculate preparation time by doubling the presentation time (e.g., 1 hour presentation plus 2 hours preparation = 3 CL hours)
• Oral or poster presentation to a provincial or national conference: 10 CL hours maximum for presentation and preparation
• Over the five-year certification term for completing learning activities related to meeting your jurisdictional regulatory standards.† (see more at specialty certification CNA): 15 CL hours maximum
• More information: https://www.cna-aiic.ca/en/certification/renewing-your-certification/renewal-by-continuous-learning

Questions?

If you have questions about certification, contact certification@cna-aiic.ca. The CNA is able to answer questions and provide assistance, such as how to:

• Advise on eligibility
• Update your contact information
• Replace your certification pin
• Obtain promotional material such as posters for the exams
• Ask CNA to send a letter to your employer to acknowledge your certification
• Ask CNA to send a letter to your university to obtain credit for your certification