NPDA-BC (CCI) - Nursing Professional Development Advanced – Board Certified

The Nursing Professional Development Advanced - Board Certified (NPDA-BC) credential offered through the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI) is designed for experienced nursing professional development specialists who fulfill all the advanced roles and responsibilities of professional development in the nursing field while adhering to professional practice and performance standards. This certification recognizes expertise in nursing professional development practice in any setting but isn’t currently accredited.

Eligibility

• Current, unrestricted registered nursing (RN) license

• Master’s degree or higher in nursing or related field

  • Applicants with graduate degrees in related fields must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing

• Accredited certification in Nursing Professional Development demonstrating entry-level knowledge and skills

• Minimum of 4,000 hours of active practice at the NPD specialist level in any practice or learning environment in the last 5 years

• Demonstrate advanced NPD practice through leadership

Completion Time: 1 Year

Cost: $375 certification by portfolio fee ($40 discount available for applicants with active CCI certification in another category)

Exam Format

Candidates must complete a professional portfolio demonstrating nursing professional development at an advanced level. The portfolio must include proof of NPD within the following standards of practice:

• Learning Facilitator

• Leader

• Mentor

• Partner for Practice Transitions

• Change Agent

• Champion for Scientific Inquiry

• Advocate for the NPD Specialty 

Candidates have 1 year to complete the submission and evaluation process (and re-submission process if needed) from the date CCI receives their application. CCI retains all fees and the portfolio is deemed unsuccessful if the candidate doesn’t complete the entire process by the end of the one-year period.

Candidates whose portfolios are found to not meet the standards of acceptance after being reviewed by two peers will result in the candidate not being granted NPDA-BC certification. There is no appeal process for this decision. Candidates may attempt certification again after 1 year from the date they received notification of the unsuccessful portfolio submission. They must use a completely new project in their new submission and can’t reuse any materials from the previous submission. A new certification by portfolio fee must be submitted with the new application.

Application Process

• Confirm eligibility

• Apply online for NPDA-BC through CCI

• Receive enrollment email for NPDA-BC Portfolio Assessment course

• Access CCI classroom and enroll in selected exemplars and activity tables

• Write/create selected exemplars and activity tables

• Upload all portfolio documents to their online account

• Await portfolio scoring by two peer reviewers (can take 4 to 6 weeks)

• Receive compiled feedback and revise portfolio documents if necessary (within 30 days)

• Await a second peer review if revisions required

• Await final feedback and decision on the awarding of the NPDA-BC credential

NPDA-BC certification is good for 5 years before candidates must recertify. Recertification requirements guide ongoing professional development and growth in the advanced NPD specialty. Applicants may begin their recertification applications on January 1 of their recertification year and must have their applications completed no later than December 31 of that same year. 

To renew the NPDA-BC, candidates must:

• Meet the recertification eligibility requirements

• Current, active RN license

• Current Advanced Nursing Professional Development Certification

• Minimum of 4,000 hours of active practice at the NPD specialist level in any practice or learning environment in the last 5 years

• Choose a recertification method 

  • Recertification by completing professional activity points

  • Recertification by portfolio

• Complete recertification activities during the 5-year certification/accrual period

• Pay the application fee

Applicants who aren’t eligible to recertify may file for emeritus status or allow the credential to lapse.

Renewal Fees

NPDA-BC Recertification Method  Standard Price Discounted Price January 1 – June 30 

• $305 - Recertification by Responsibility Table with Supporting Documents - Between January 1 and June 30

• $350 - Recertification by Responsibility Table with Supporting Documents - After June 30

• $330 - Recertification by Professional Activity Points - Between Jan 1 and June 30

• $375 - Recertification by Professional Activity Points - After June 30

• $175 - NPDA-BC Emeritus Status

Recertification by professional activity points requires applicants to accrue at least 300 points. Of these, 100 points must be earned by completing one Responsibility Table providing evidence of ongoing maintenance of advanced NPD practice in all six NPD responsibilities:

• Orientation/Onboarding

• Competency Management

• Education

• Role Development

• Collaborative Partnerships

• Inquiry (Research/Evidence-Based Practice/Quality Improvement) 

To fully complete all elements of the Responsibility Table, the renewal applicant must submit documentation demonstrating all of the following:

• Responsibility addressed 

• Brief reflection on NPD specialist competencies demonstrated

• Roles demonstrated

• Standards exhibited

• Additional supporting evidence (similar to initial portfolio)

The remaining 200 points must be earned in other professional activity points categories, which can include a maximum of 100 points earned for continuing education. 

• NPDA-BC Handbook

• NPDA-BC Candidate Timeline Tip Sheet

• NPDA-BC Certification Webinars

• Scope and Standards of Practice for the Nursing Professional Development Specialist

• ANCC Nursing Professional Development - Board Certification (NPD-BC)

The CCI also offers the following certifications:

• Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)

• Certified Foundational Perioperative Nurse (CFPN)

• Clinical Nurse Specialist Perioperative Certification (CNS-CP)

• Certified Surgical Services Manager (CSSM)

• Certified Ambulatory Surgery Nurse (CNAMB)