CEN - Certified Emergency Nurse

The Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) is a national credential in recognition of the knowledge and expertise of nurses working in emergency care settings, such as:

• Emergency Departments

• Stroke Units

• Cardiac Care Units

• Burn Units

• Trauma Departments

The Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) awards this credential by exam. 

ER nursing is highly specialized. These nurses thrive in fast-paced, challenging work environments. The CEN certification tells employers, colleagues, and patients that an ER nurse has the skills and abilities to provide the highest level of urgent, life-saving care. Over 41,000 nurses held CEN certification in 2022.

Test Format

The CEN examination is a three-hour (timed), computer-based exam consisting of 175 multiple-choice items. Only 150 items are scored. The remaining 25 are pre-test questions used to gather statistical data for future exams and don't impact the final results. Currently candidates must answer 106 items correctly to pass. 

BCEN conducts job analysis and Role Delineation Studies (RDS) every 4-5 years to ensure that exam content reflects the most current and relevant practice. Passing scores may change if BCEN updates the exam.

Prerequisites:

Nurses must hold a current, unrestricted registered nurse (RN) license in the U.S. or Canada to qualify for the CEN exam. International nurses with an equivalent nursing certificate also may be eligible but must be verified through the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS).

BCEN recommends two years of work experience to better prepare candidates for the exam. However, it's not required.

Nurses currently suspended, restricted, on probation, or otherwise under disciplinary action from a nursing board are disqualified from taking the examination.  

Steps to Obtaining CEN Certification:

• Create a BCEN account on the BCEN Account login page

• Check eligibility

• Start a new application in the BCEN portal

• Answer all required questions

• Pay testing fees online or by mail

  • If paying by credit card or ACH, applications process immediately

  • If paying by check, print out the Confirmation of Form Completion and mail it along with payment, then allow BCEN 3 to 4 weeks to complete the application

• Wait for exam eligibility email from BCEN with information on the 90-day test window and how to schedule an exam appointment with PSI

• Schedule the CEN exam within 90 days

• Study for the CEN exam

• Take the CEN exam

  • Arrive at the testing site or log in for LRP 30 minutes before scheduled exam time

  • Bring a valid form of identification

  • Candidates have three hours to complete the exam

• Retrieve exam results

  • In-person test takers receive score before leaving the test center

  • Online LRP test takers receive score on-screen immediately after completing the exam

Results

CEN exams are scored electronically with Pass/Fail results. BCEN mails official, detailed score reports after exam completion. Candidates who fail the exam receive instructions detailing how to reapply. They must pay a retest fee and wait 90 days before retaking the exam.

Test Fees

• Initial Examination Fee: $370 and $230 for Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) members

• Fee for Retest: $350

• Discounted Fee for Military: $195

CEN certification is reimbursable under the MyCAA program for military spouses.

Renewal Fees

• Recertification Fee: $350 

• Discounted Renewal with ENA membership: $210

• Discounted Fee for Military: $195

Retired nurses can keep their certification through the CEN Retired Designation at a cost of $75 every four years.

Renewing CEN Certification

Nurses must renew their CEN certification every four years by attesting to 100 hours of continuing education (CE) credits or by re-examination. If renewing by exam, nurses may schedule and take their CEN exam at a PSI testing center or other location through Live Remote Proctoring, within a 90-day window.

CE Renewal

All CE contact hours must be at the nursing practice level. At least 50 contact hours must come from an accredited source such as BCEN Learn, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, American Nurses Credentialing Center, Emergency Nurses Association, or any State Board of Nursing or State Nurses Association. A minimum of 75 contact hours must clinical content specific to the nurse’s practice area, with the remaining 25 in clinical or non-clinical content.

The BCEN offers resources for exam candidates including:

• Practice Exams ($40)

• Reference List

• Content Outline

• Sample Questions

• Reference List

The BCEN also offers the following:

• Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN)

• Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN)

• Certified Transport Registered Nurse (CTRN)

• Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN)

• Burn Nursing Specialty Certification (CBRN)

Other related certifications offered by the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) include:

• Verbal Intervention (VI): Teaches de-escalation skills, non-restrictive intervention techniques and the ability to control escalating behavior.

• Dementia Capable Care (DCC): Equips health workers with the tools to provide the best care for people with dementia.

• Dementia Capable Care Instructor (DCC-Certified-Instructor): For health workers that have completed the DCC training, they're eligible to become a certified instructor and teach others.