Did you know? Over 1,300 critical care nurses across Canada have their national Canadian Nurses Association specialty designation! Care to Be the Best!
CACCN is not responsible for the certification examination or renewal of certification. We do however support and encourage members to certify with the Canadian Nurses Association Certification – who provides the nationally recognized credential for registered nurses. Becoming certified in your specialty 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: Membership with the Canadian Nurses Association does not provide membership with the CACCN and vice versa. Each are separate organizations requiring separate membership fees.
Funding Opportunities
- Certification Bursary:
- Bursaries are completed by application and a blind draw.
- Members must meet the overall and bursary criteria to be eligible.
- Initial Certification – must have written the examination in Spring or Fall of 2025 – two bursaries of $ 500 awarded.
- Renewal Certification – must have renewed certification between January 1 and December 15, 2025 – four bursaries of $ 250 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
- 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
This information is provided from the CNA’s website for information purposes only
| Examination or Renewal | Eligibility, Blueprints & more | Application Period | Examination Window |
| 2025 Spring Initial Exam | CNA Website | January 15 to March 31 | May 1 to 15 |
| 2025 Fall Initial Exam | CNA Website | June 16 to September 30 | November 1 to 15 |
| 2025 Renewal by CL Hours | CNA Website | January 15 to December 15 | Apply anytime |
Maintain your hard earned credential – Earn Continuing Learning Hours (CL) through CACCN
| 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). |
| 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 |
| Volunteering: 15 CL hours maximum – related to your nursing specialty (e.g., with a not-for-profit organization or charity, serving as a board member or delivering presentations to clients and/or consumers.). |
| 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