
CNA Websites		Register		Login		Accessibility		Français

HOME

KNOWLEDGE FEATURES

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

CERTIFICATION

CE COURSES

e-TOOLS

NURSECONNECT

What is certification?	Initial Certification	Certification Renewal	Employer Recognition Award
Resources	Contact Us

Certification Program History

1980

Annual meeting resolution directs CNA board to study the feasibility of developing examinations for certification in major nursing specialties
Initial investigation confirms the growing interest of nurses in the development of certification and reveals that several nurses were seeking certification in the United States
CNA establishes ad hoc committee on nursing credentialing. Committee develops credentialing policy and recommends that CNA promotes the development of a national certification program in nursing specialties.

1982

CNA board of directors adopts policy document and recommendations of the ad hoc committee studying nursing credentialing
Series of three ad hoc committees on certification, in consultation with national nursing groups, study the policy issues underlying a certification program. Their work continues until 1986.
Canadian occupational health nurses establish the Canadian Council for Occupational Health Nurses Incorporated (CCOHN Inc.) for the purpose of developing and administering a certification program in occupational health nursing.

1984

CCOHN Inc. offers certification in occupational health nursing for the first time.
CCOHN Inc. and the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses Incorporated (ABOHN Inc.) provide certification by reciprocity to nurses who wish to be certified in the United States and Canada. American and Canadian certified nurses exempt from writing exam in other country to achieve certification there. The reciprocity agreement was eventually integrated into the CNA Certification Program and is still offered.

1986

In October, certification program finalized and approved following several years of consultations with national nursing groups

1991

CNA certifies its first group of nurses in neuroscience nursing

Specialties have been added to the CNA Certification Program on an ongoing basis. The list below shows when the exam for each specialty/area of nursing practice was first administered.