Certification, in general, is a mechanism in which the public and employers are able to identify practitioners who have met certain standards in their particular nursing specialty. Because of this, there are certifications in obstetrics, oncology, surgical nursing, critical care, flight nursing, etc. The CEN certification is the certification specific to emergency nursing and measures the attainment of a defined body of nursing knowledge pertinent to that particular specialty. A role delineation study is conducted approximately every five years to assure the examination reflects current emergency nursing practice. Although there are CENs throughout the world, the CEN exam is based on emergency nursing practice in the United States.

The Value of Certification
For the emergency nurse, certification provides:

• Personal satisfaction through increased confidence and personal growth
• Validation of emergency nursing expertise
• Career advancement opportunities
• Monetary differentials
• Job opportunities

For the institution, employing certified nurses:

• Assures the general public that the nurse is competent and current (this is becoming a relevant issue since the Pew Commission, representing the general public, is asking for nurses to validate their competency)
• Can be used as a marketing tool (for example, "our emergency department is staffed by certified emergency physicians and nurses")
• Can result in employing nurses that are high achievers, have a high patient satisfaction rating and are more effective communicators with other health care providers
• Can result in a decrease in hospital insurance premium costs

Who is responsible for the CEN exam and credential?
The Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN), a non-profit organization, was established in the early 1980's to develop and administer the certification for emergency nurses (CEN). BCEN also manages the certification for flight registered nurses (CFRN). BCEN maintains the highest standards for certification.

What is the length of certification?
Upon successful completion of the certification exam, the CEN credential is valid for a period of four years. Re-certification is through re-examination or by continuing education (CE). The CEN has the option of renewing by exam every cycle. The renewal option by CE (CEN-RO) can be utilized every other renewal cycle or once every eight years.

CEN is a federally registered trademark of the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing.

Who is eligible to take the CEN exam?
To qualify for the exam, the applicant must be a registered nurse with a current unrestricted license. A nursing certificate that is equivalent to a registered nurse in the United States is also acceptable. It is recommended but not required that the CEN applicant have two years experience in emergency nursing. It is NOT required to have a BSN to take the certification exam.

How and where is the exam administered?
The CEN exam is administered via computer five days a week at AMP Assessment Centers. There is a minimum of one computer site per state with each site maintaining an environment conducive to testing. The exam is 175 items and each applicant is allowed 3 hours to complete the exam. The applicant receives their score report prior to leaving the testing center. Computer experience is not necessary to take the exam.