What type of pre-paid certification exam vouchers are available through this program?

I am already certified, can I obtain a pre-paid exam voucher for recertification through this program?

Please see the grid below for the type of vouchers available for recertification.

Certifying BodyAvailable for Recertification?
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)No
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)No
Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) Yes
Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI)No

How many exam attempts are covered?

Please see the grid below for the number of exam attempts covered per voucher.

Certifying Body# of Exam Attempts per voucher
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)2
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)1
Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN)1
Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI)2 for CNOR
1 for CSSM

Are study materials or prep courses included with my pre-paid certification exam voucher?

Please see the grid below to see what’s included with your pre-paid certification exam voucher. Visit the National Tuition Reimbursement website for reimbursement options that may cover prep courses and study materials not offered through this program. https://www.kpcareerplanning.org/prd/tuition_reimbursement.php

Certifying BodyPrep CourseStudy Materials
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)NoNo
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)NoNo
Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) NoNo
Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI)YesYes

What are the eligibility requirements for the Professional Certification Program?

  • All Northern California Kaiser Permanente nurses (full-time, part-time, and per diem).
  • You must meet the eligibility requirements of the specialty certification that you are requesting.

How will I know if I’m eligible to sit for a certification exam?

For assistance to determine eligibility, please contact the certifying body directly.

ANCC: certification@ana.org

AACN: certification@aacn.org

BCEN: Contact Form

CCI: kp@cc-institute.org

How do I request a pre-paid certification exam voucher?

Before submitting a request, please verify your eligibility to sit for the certification exam by reviewing the eligibility criteria for the certification that you are interested in pursuing. If you meet the eligibility criteria, please submit your request through our request form. Please do not submit a request if you are unable to find the certification that you are interested in on our application form.

What if the certification that I am interested in pursuing is not on the grid or application form?

Please review our Additional Financial Resources section for reimbursement options that will cover certification exam fees for certifications not offered through our program. If you have a recommendation for certification that is not listed, please connect with us through our contact form.

What happens next?

  • The Nurse Scholars Academy team will review your request and notify you of a decision within 10 business days.
  • If approved, you will receive an email with next steps and instructions for redeeming your pre-paid exam voucher.
  • Please note, you must redeem your voucher within 30 days of approval. Vouchers not redeemed within the 30-day window will be canceled.

How do I reschedule or cancel my certification exam?

Please contact the certifying body directly to reschedule your certification exam:

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC): Visit the Success Pay Policy and FAQ page or email  candidatecare@prometric.com

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN): Visit www.goamp.com or call (833) 256-1418 (You will need to provide your Testing ID#) or email certification@aacn.org.

Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN): Refer to the BCEN Candidate Handbook 2021

Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI): Email CCI at kp@cc-institute.org

I’ve already paid for my certification exam, can I obtain reimbursement through this program?

The Nurse Scholars Academy does not offer reimbursement for certification exam fees. For reimbursement options, please see our Additional Financial Resources section.