STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

FOR

2010 COMPUTER BASED TESTING

1. Obtain the Candidate Handbook for computer based testing from the NBCHPN^® website, www.nbchpn.org.  The Candidate Handbook is available to be downloaded from the purple announcement box on the homepage by clicking on the bullet point indicating “Click Here” for the 2010 Candidate Handbook or by selecting CANDIDATE HANDBOOK AND APPLICATION under the appropriate nursing discipline tab (APN, RN, LPN, NA, or Admin) at the top of the home page.

2. Read the 2010 Candidate Handbook in its entirety. (You are responsible for all of the information in the Candidate Handbook- policies, procedures and deadlines are strictly enforced)

·        Pages 1-7 is general information and necessary for all candidates

·        Pages 8-15 are specific to the APN certification exam

·        Pages 16-22 are specific to the RN certification exam

·        Pages 23-29 are specific to the LP/VN certification exam

·        Pages 30-36 are specific to the NA certification exam

·        Pages 37-42 are specific to the Administrator certification exam

·        Pages 43-46 include the NBCHPN^® examination application

·        Pages 47-52 are APN documentation forms (for APN applicants only)

·        Pages 53-54 are special needs accommodation forms (complete only if requesting special exam accommodations)

3. Determine the 2010 “window” in which you would like to test (March, June, September, December).  Applications are accepted for the next available window only. See page 2 of the Candidate Handbook for specific window and deadline information.

·        To view test site locations, go to www.nbchpn.org. Select the third bullet point in the purple announcement on the NBCHPN homepage indicating “Click Here” for CBT test site locations or select CANDIDATE HANDBOOK AND APPLICATION under the appropriate nursing discipline tab (APN, RN, LP/VN, NA, or Admin) at the top of the home page.  Click on link provided to view AMP Test Assessment Locations.

4. Determine application preference: MAIL or ONLINE

·        APNs MUST apply by mail because of additional needed documentation.  APN transcripts MUST accompany the application and be received by appropriate paper application deadline

1. To apply for an exam by mail and schedule appointment:

·        Application MUST be received by paper application deadline as indicated on page 2 of the Candidate Handbook

                                                    i.     Complete application beginning on page 41 of the Candidate Handbook

                                                  ii.     Appropriate fee made payable to NBCHPN (credit card, cashier’s check or money order are acceptable forms of payment)

                                                iii.     Mail completed application with fee to AMP, 18000 W. 105^th St, Olathe, KS  66061-7543

                                                iv.     AMP will process paper application and within approximately two weeks will send a confirmation notice (by email if provided or mail) to candidate including a website address and toll free telephone number to contact AMP to schedule an examination appointment

·        If you are scheduling an appointment by phone be prepared to confirm a location and a preferred date and time (9:30 am or 1:30 pm) and to provide your Social Security number

·        If you are scheduling an appointment online you will need to follow the steps listed below as taken from the website provided by AMP

·        You may want to have an alternative date and time in mind, in the event that your first choice is not available

·        If eligibility cannot be confirmed, notification why the application is incomplete will be sent by AMP

Once appointment is scheduled, the application and scheduling process is complete.  Examination scores will be printed and given to the candidate on the day of the examination, upon exam completion.

2. To apply for an exam online and schedule appointment:

                                                    i.     Visit www.nbchpn.org

                                                  ii.     Select “Apply online for certification exam” in the purple announcement box on the NBCHPN^® home page (www.nbchpn.org)

                                                iii.     Select “Proceed to AMP website” once confirmed that the Candidate Handbook has been read

                                                iv.     Select “Candidates” from Applied Measurement website

                                                  v.     Select “Healthcare” as Category

                                                vi.     Select “National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses” as Program

                                               vii.     Select appropriate exam type (RN, LPN, NA, or Admin)- APNs MUST apply by MAIL ONLY as stated above

                                             viii.     Select “Register for Exam”

                                                ix.     Answer “Yes”, then Continue

                                                  x.     Select “I am a New User”

                                                xi.     Choose a newly created User name and Password for testing security purposes    

                                               xii.     Enter personal information

                                             xiii.     Indicate eligibility status

                               new applicant (includes certification expired prior to exam 

                               date, or applicant applying for the first time)

                               reapplicant

                               applicant for renewal)

                                             xiv.     Respond to demographic questions (example: years or nursing experience)

                                               xv.     Confirm application fee

·        Candidate has the option to dispute fee.  If fee is disputed you will be unable to proceed until fee issue is resolved by NBCHPN^®.  Candidate will be required to login as a new user and reenter all information to this point once fee issue is resolved.

                                             xvi.     Signature- electronic signature page

                                           xvii.     Eligibility Confirmation- print a copy of this page for your records as indicated before scheduling an appointment

                                          xviii.     Click on the “Schedule Exam” button to schedule an appointment

·        Schedule an appointment using the calendar that is provided on screen

·        Select an assessment center by choosing from the pull down menu provided

·        Select a date (available dates will be highlighted)

·        Select a time (available times will be shown, 9:30 am or 1:30 pm, if time is not available for that date, it will not show as an option)

·        Click on the “Schedule” button

·        Confirmation will be displayed on the screen- Print for your records

Note:  An email will be sent to you confirming your examination.  You can also click “MY Home” to review and print your confirmation notice which contains the exact reporting instruction for your examination.

Once appointment is scheduled, the application and scheduling process is complete.  Examination scores will be printed and given to the candidate on the day of the examination, upon exam completion.

See Candidate Handbook for additional instructions regarding testing policies and procedures.  If you have any questions please contact the National Office at nbchpn@hpna.org or 412-787-1057.

Thank you for your support of the certification process.