The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) is responsible for the development and administration of the Registered Nurse examination, as well as the 19 current nursing specialty examinations. 

The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) developed and administered the first critical care nursing certification examination in 1995, in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses (CACCN).  Successful completion of the examination enables critical care nurses working with adults to hold the credential of Certified Nurse in Critical Care - Canada (CNCC-C) for a period of 5 years.  A separate pediatric critical care examination is also offered (Certified Nurse in Critical Care Pediatrics - Canada [CNCCP-C]).

The examination is currently a multiple choice format, and is administered and monitored by CNA.  The next examination writing date is Spring 2012.  The deadline to apply to write the 2012 examination is mid fall, 2011. Dates TBA. If you miss the 2011 deadline, your next opportunity to become certified will be Spring 2013.

Recertification is required every 5 years and can be done through CEUs and continued critical care nursing practice. CEUs that can be applied to recertification of CNCC-C credentials are provided for courses offered by Critical Care Concepts. The deadline for recertification in 2012 is Fall 2011 (dates TBA).

Critical Care Concepts offers a critical care nursing review once each year that is timed to finish prior to the annual examination date. Programs are posted on this web site.

For more information about certification in critical care nursing, contact the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) through their web site: www.cna-nurses.ca; Email: certification@cna-nurses.ca; or telephone: 1-800-450-5206,