CPN
Certified Pediatric Nurse practice test
168 PNCB CPN practice questions with explanations, in study, timed and flashcard modes. 12 sample questions are free.
Full access
$99
- All 168 questions with explanations
- Study, timed and flashcard modes
- Progress saved, resume any time
- Questions
- 168
- Free samples
- 12
- Versions
- 1
- Updated
- Oct 2026
Exam simulator
Practice CPN in the simulator.
Study, timed and flashcard modes. Answers and explanations as you go, and your progress saves.
At a glance
CPN, by the numbers.
Official specifications published by PNCB.
- Duration
- 180 min
- Questions
- 175
- Passing score
- Scaled score 400
- Exam fee
- $309
- In the bank
- v1 (168)
Exam guide
Everything about CPN.
CPN · PNCB · 2022 Detailed Content Outline (based on 2021-2022 Job Task Analysis)
About CPN
Who it's for
- Current, valid, unrestricted and unencumbered RN license (US, Canada, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands or US Virgin Islands)
- 1,800 hours of pediatric clinical experience as an RN within the past 24 months, OR 5 years as a pediatric RN with 3,000 hours in the last 5 years including 1,000 hours within the past 24 months
- Complete the free PNCB CE module 'Ethics in Testing: A Personal Responsibility' before applying
Exam details
Published by PNCB, plus what is in our question bank.
- Duration
- 180 min
- Questions
- 175
- Passing score
- Scaled score 400
- Level
- Specialty board certification (RN)
- Exam fee
- $309
- Delivery
- PSI, online proctoring
- Schedule
- pncb.org
- Valid for
- Annual recertification (November 1 - January 31)
- Recertification
- 15 contact hours or PNCB-accepted equivalents each year (CE/CNE/CME, clinical practice hours, Professional Practice Learning, academic credit, teaching); Record Review Year once per 7-year Recert tracking cycle; Maintain active, unencumbered RN license
- Versions
- v1 (168)
What does CPN cover?
The practice test's questions, grouped by exam topic. Open a topic to see what it covers.
4 topics · 12 subtopics · 168 questions
- Growth and development19 questions
- Injury prevention14 questions
- Preventive care14 questions
- Assess pain using developmentally/cognitively appropriate tools14 questions
- Recognize and anticipate trends and variables that may lead to improvement or deterioration of physiologic status18 questions
- Assess for physical signs of maltreatment or neglect11 questions
- Assess impacts of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and social determinants of health13 questions
- Assess general state of mental and emotional health13 questions
- Develop and implement the nursing plan of care based on physical and behavioral assessment findings as well as lab/diagnostic results26 questions
- Facilitate optimal nutrition throughout illness and recovery17 questions
- Integrate trauma-informed care principles into care planning and management7 questions
- Identify and address ethical and legal concerns related to pediatric practice2 questions
How do I earn this certification?
Passing CPN earns the Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) in the Pediatric nursing (RN) track.
- RN licensure (unrestricted)
- CPNCertified Pediatric Nurse
- CPNP-PCCertified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary CareOther PNCB certification exam (separate eligibility)
- CPNP-ACCertified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute CareOther PNCB certification exam (separate eligibility)
- PMHSPediatric Primary Care Mental Health SpecialistOther PNCB certification exam (separate eligibility)
How to study for this exam?
Use the CPN practice test alongside the official material below.
What's changed on this exam?
Status and coverage changes that affect what you should study.
- Current status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update
- 2022 content outline (2021-2022 JTA)
Three ways to practise
Study mode
Work through the bank at your own pace with the answer and explanation one tap away. Flag questions, add notes, bookmark the hard ones.
Open in the simulator
Timed mode
A shuffled deck with a countdown that mirrors the real exam. Your score is saved to your attempt history.
Open in the simulator
Flashcards
Question on the front, answer on the back. Good for the last week before the exam.
Open in the simulator
CPN questions, answered
168 questions across 1 version, each with the correct answer and an explanation.
Yes. 12 sample questions are free; 6 are open to everyone and the rest unlock with a free account.
Every CPN question in study, timed and flashcard modes, explanations for each answer, and progress that saves so you can resume.
I. Health Promotion (23%), II. Assessment (35%), III. Planning and Management (33%), IV. Professional Responsibilities (9%).
The CPN exam has 175 multiple-choice questions and a 3-hour time limit. 150 questions are scored and 25 are unscored pretest questions that you cannot tell apart from scored ones.
PNCB reports scaled scores from 200 to 800. A scaled score of 400 is the passing point on every exam form.
Four content areas: Health Promotion (23%), Assessment (35%), Planning and Management (33%) and Professional Responsibilities (9%). Respiratory is the most frequently tested clinical category.
You need a current, unrestricted RN license (US, Canada or listed US territories) plus either 1,800 pediatric clinical hours as an RN in the past 24 months, or 5 years as a pediatric RN with 3,000 hours in the last 5 years including 1,000 in the past 24 months.
The self-pay exam fee is $309, which includes a $103 nonrefundable registration fee. A re-exam costs $252. SPN members get $45 off the initial exam, and employers can use PNCB's No Pass, No Pay benefit.
Yes. You can test at a PSI testing center or at home with live remote proctoring. After approval you get a 90-day window to schedule and test.
No. PNCB does not expect you to memorize immunization schedules, but you should know core immunology principles, safe vaccine use and well-known vaccines for age groups.
CPNs recertify every year between November 1 and January 31. You keep your RN license current and complete 15 contact hours or PNCB-accepted equivalents.
You need Scaled score 400 to pass CPN.
Annual recertification (November 1 - January 31). Recertification: 15 contact hours or PNCB-accepted equivalents each year (CE/CNE/CME, clinical practice hours, Professional Practice Learning, academic credit, teaching); Record Review Year once per 7-year Recert tracking cycle; Maintain active, unencumbered RN license.
