How to Apply

The National Certification Examination for School Nurses is offered twice a year, with two week windows scheduled for each examination period.  The exam is given in a computer based format at testing centers across the United States.

In order to take the Certification Examination for School Nurses, you must file an application within the time frame designated for each exam.  The Handbook for Candidates includes the application as well as provide more comprehensive information about the examination.  If you are unable to download the file, contact the Professional Testing Corporation to request that a handbook and application be mailed to you.

Click here to Download the Handbook and Application

(note: In order to download the Handbook, you will need free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® software.  Click on this link to download your free copy today.)

Eligibility

1. Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse in the United States. 
2. a.      Attainment of bachelor's degree or higher, in nursing or health related field, or the equivalent in other countries.
                        OR
   b.      Current certification by NBCSN as an NCSN.
3. Must be currently employed in school health services or school health related services.*(see note below)
4. Completion and filing of the Application for the Certification Examination for School Nurses. 
5. Payment of required fee.

THREE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN SCHOOL NURSING PRACTICE ARE RECOMMENDED.

*Registered Nurses not employed directly in school health services or school health related services may be eligible to take the certification examination if they:

1. Meet criteria 1 and 2 above, AND
2. Have previously worked in school nursing within the past three years, OR
3. Are employed as faculty of a university or other accredited school of nursing and are engaged in teaching school nursing related curriculum and supervising students in the school setting; and
4. Complete and file the application for the Certification Examination for School Nurses, including payment of the required fee.

Exam Administration & Fees

The Certification Examination is administered for NBCSN by the Professional Testing Corporation (PTC).  

The Certification Examination for School Nurses will be administered during a two-week testing period in the winter and in the summer of each year.  Click here to search for the site nearest you.  You will not be able to select a testing center for your four hour examination appointment until you have received an Eligibility Notice from PTC.  Please note that hours and days of availability vary at different centers.  Testing centers may differ in environments and security requirements.  Applicants may contact PTC prior to the examination if there are any questions or concerns regarding the testing center and to arrange another site if needed within the same testing window.

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Test Dates

The national exam for school nurses is held two (2) times annually.  It is offered  at various locations throughout the country (please refer to Testing Centers, above).  Upcoming exam dates:

Content

The national exam for school nurses is a written exam composed of a maximum of 250 multiple-choice, objective questions with a total testing time of four (4) hours. 

For a complete Content Outline and Sample Questions, refer to our handbook.

The exam will be weighted in approximately the following manner:

1. 27% HEALTH APPRAISAL

2. 28% HEALTH PROBLEMS AND NURSING MANAGEMENT

3. 20% HEALTH PROMOTION/DISEASE PREVENTION

4. 10% SPECIAL HEALTH ISSUES

5. 15% PROFESSIONAL ISSUES

Preparation

Exam preparation is a unique process for each candidate.  School nurses have formed study groups, attended school nurse curriculum workshops, and reviewed school nursing texts in preparation for the examination.  The examination is national in scope, and reflects the broad variety of student and community populations, specialty practice situations and legal and current health issues that school nurses confront in everyday practice.  Exam questions are chosen from a larger pool of questions enabling variation on exam content and undergo a rigorous process to ensure their validity, reliability and applicability to current school nursing practice.  

Although there is no single study guide, a List of Resources, which may be helpful in preparing, is included in the NCSN Handbook for Candidates. Many of the resource publications can be found at the NASN bookstore at http://www.nasn.org/store/.  In addition, you will find Sample Questions in the handbook.

Click here to Download the Handbook and Application

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