CUNP - Certified Urologic Nurse Practitioner

The Certified Urologic Nurse Practitioner credential (CUNP) credential is available through the Certification Board for Urologic Nurses and Associates (CBUNA). The CUNP credential is relevant for advanced practice nurses with expertise in caring for clients with conditions related to the urinary system, such as bladder infections and kidney stones.

Nursing certification is provided to professionals who have demonstrated current knowledge and skills within their practice specialty.  For advanced practice nurses working with clients in urology, the specialty certification provides validation of their commitment to quality care for this population.

Cost

• Exam fee: $350 for Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA) members and $445 for non-members.

• Re-take fee: $250 for SUNA members and $345 for non-members.

Applicants for the CUNP credential may apply online via the CBUNA. The certification exam has 175 multiple-choice questions.

To be eligible for the CUNP certification, the following are required:

• Completion of a nationally-accredited nursing educational program.

• Completion of two years as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) with a minimum of 800 clinical practice hours of providing patient care to urologic patients within the last three years.

• Current recognition by the state board of nursing as a Nurse Practitioner (NP).

• Master’s degree in nursing or a DNP (Doctorate of Nursing Practice).

• Current certification as a nurse practitioner from a national certifying board: American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC), National Certification Corporation (NCC), American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), or Pediatric Nurse Certification Board (PNCB).

The CUNP certification is valid for three years. The cost is $205 for Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA) members and $300 for non-members.

To renew the certification, the nurse must fulfill the following items:

• Current NP licensure in the U.S. or its territories.

• Minimum of 800 hours of urological practice experience during the previous 3-year certification period.

• Completion of one pathway of knowledge validation: Examination or CE hours.

The practice experiences may be direct or indirect settings to include acute or long-term care, clinics/offices, home care/community health, surgery, education, research, and administration.

Recertification for the CURN is available via two pathways: Examination or Continuing Education (CE) hours. 

• To recertify by examination, the nurse will take the most current certification examination for initial certification.

• To qualify for recertification by contact hours, a candidate must submit 36 contact hours specific to urologic care.

The CBUNA audits approximately 10% of recertification applications to verify CE and employment practice hours.

The CBUNA offers the following resources for exam candidates:

• Exam Blueprint

• Reading List and Exam Preparation List

• Exam Preparation Guide for a fee

The CBUNA also offers the following certifications:

• Certified Urologic Associate (CUA)

• Certified Urologic Registered Nurse (CURN)