CHPNA - Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant

The Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant (CHPNA) certification is a professional credential for nursing assistants who specialize in hospice and palliative care. Administered by the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC) and accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC), this certification recognizes the unique skills and knowledge required to provide compassionate, comprehensive care to patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families. The CHPNA certification is designed for nursing assistants with experience in end-of-life care and wishing to demonstrate their commitment to high-quality hospice and palliative care.

Eligibility

• Must be a working CNA with 500 hours of hospice and palliative nursing practice in the past year or 1,000 hours in the past 2 years under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) before applying to take the CHPNA exam.

Completion Time: 2.5 hours

Cost: 

• Initial Certification $175 HPNA member or $225 nonmember

• Retake through reTest Assured Program: $125

Exam Format

The CHPNA exam consists of 110 questions, with 10 unscored, in the following categories:

• Patient Care: Activities of Daily Living (32%)

• Patient Status and Environment (28%) 

• Psychosocial/Spiritual Care of the Patient and Family (20%) 

• Professional Skills (20%)

Each question has 4 possible answers, with only 1 correct response. Candidates have 2.5 hours to complete the exam.

Candidates taking the exam in person receive their score report before leaving the testing center. Candidates taking the exam online through Live Remote Proctoring receive a pass/fail notice on-screen at the end of the exam and a detailed score report via email within 24 hours. Exams receive a scaled score, with 500 as the minimum score required to pass.

Test Dates

The CHPNA exam is offered 4 times per year:

• March 1 to March 31

  • Applications Start: December 1

  • Deadline for Online Applications: February 15

• June 1 to June 30

  • Applications Start: March 1

  • Deadline for Online Applications: May 15

• September 1 - September 30

  • Applications Start: June 1

  • Deadline for Online Applications: August 15

• December 1 - December 31

  • Applications Start: September 1

  • Deadline for Online Applications: November 15

Application Process

• Complete the application and scheduling process online

• Submit an official academic transcript showing the candidate's graduate degree and date conferred

  • Must include three comprehensive graduate-level courses in advanced pathophysiology, advanced health assessment and advanced pharmacology

  • Must include a clinical practicum of at least 500 hours

• Submit payment

• Schedule exam appointment after receiving eligibility confirmation

To renew the CHPNA credential, applicants must take and pass the CHPNA exam before their current certification expires.

Renewal Fees

• HPNA Members: $150

• Nonmembers: $200

Not applicable, CHPNA renewal requires retesting.

• Download Candidate Handbook

• Study Tips

• Content Outline

The HPCC also offers the following certifications:

• Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN)

• Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN)

• Certified Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse (CHPPN)

• Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse (CHPLN)

• Certified in Perinatal Loss Care (CPLC)

• Advanced Palliative Hospice Social Worker – Certified (APHSW-C)