How hard is the CPEN exam?

You must answer 110 of the 150 scored items correctly, a relatively high bar. BCEN does not publish a pass-rate percentage, only counts, so there is no official 'X% pass' figure to quote. The difficulty concentrates in pediatric respiratory emergencies and resuscitation. A question-bank-driven plan that front-loads those areas is the most reliable approach.

Do I need a certain number of pediatric ER hours to take the CPEN?

No. BCEN requires only a current unencumbered RN license. It recommends at least 2 years of specialty experience before testing, but that is a recommendation, not a requirement.

How much does the CPEN exam cost?

The initial exam is $380, or $285 for ENA members; there is a $195 military rate and a $200 retest. Confirm current pricing with BCEN.

CPEN vs CPN vs CEN: which fits me?

CPEN certifies pediatric emergency nursing (BCEN). CEN is the broad emergency credential covering adult and pediatric patients. CPN (PNCB) is general pediatric nursing, not emergency-focused. Choose CPEN if your work is children in the ED.

How do I recertify the CPEN?

Every 4 years, by earning 100 CE contact hours during the cycle (at least 75 clinical and specialty-specific, 50 from an accredited source) or by retaking the exam. Confirm the current requirements with BCEN.

How to Pass the CPEN Boards

Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse · BCEN · Last reviewed June 21, 2026

Built by Keegan, a travel RN · verified against official board sources

CPEN is the foundational specialty certification for nurses who care for children in emergency settings. The exam is focused but demanding. Here is the format, a realistic study plan, and the prep that works.

Exam quick facts

Exam	BCEN Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN)
Format	175 items (150 scored, 25 unscored pretest); computer-based at a PSI center or via Live Remote Proctoring
Time	180 minutes (3 hours) total seat time
Passing standard	Answer 110 of the 150 scored items correctly (raw score; criterion-referenced, not curved)
Pass rate	Not published as a percentage; BCEN reports counts only (in 2025, 689 of 1,211 exams passed; 5,827 active CPEN certificants)
Exam fee	$380 ($285 for ENA members; military $195); retest $200
Recertification	Every 4 years: 100 CE contact hours or retake the exam

Exam specifications and fees change, so always confirm current details with BCEN before registering.

About the credential

The CPEN certifies knowledge in pediatric emergency nursing, the care of children across the acuity spectrum in the ED. It is administered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN), an independent certifying body (BCEN was founded by the Emergency Nurses Association and became independent in 1986). BCEN does not require a set number of practice hours, only an active RN license, though experience is strongly recommended. This guide covers the exam, an efficient study plan, eligibility, fees, and recertification.

Who pursues it

Emergency RNs who care for pediatric patients
Nurses at pediatric or general EDs where the credential is expected or differential-eligible
RNs using the credential as a resume differentiator for pediatric emergency roles

Does the CPEN actually raise your pay? (The honest answer)

~60%

of nurses got no direct pay bump for certifying

$1-2/hr (~$2,000-4,000/yr full-time)

typical raise when employers do pay

$1,000-2,000 one-time at some employers

one-time bonus where offered

Here is the part prep vendors and certifying bodies will not lead with: in a large national compensation survey, about 60% of nurses got no direct pay increase for becoming certified. When it does pay, it is typically $1-2/hr or a one-time bonus, set by your employer, not by BCEN. Pediatric and Magnet EDs often value CPEN on a clinical ladder, but the raise (if any) is your employer's policy. Confirm the dollar amount with HR before assuming a bump.

When it's worth it anyway

Your ED has a clinical ladder or certification differential; confirm the amount with HR first.
It is expected or preferred at your pediatric or Magnet facility.
You are using it as a resume differentiator into pediatric emergency nursing.
You want the structured knowledge and confidence for safer pediatric emergency practice.

Verified June 21, 2026. Sources:Medscape RN/LPN Compensation Report (about 60% received no reward for certification)

Eligibility

A current, unencumbered RN license in the US, a US territory, Canada, or Australia
No required practice hours: BCEN recommends, but does not require, at least 2 years of pediatric-emergency or specialty experience before testing

A study plan that works

1Weeks 1-2: Map the BCEN CPEN content outline and benchmark. Let the blueprint set your schedule and take a full-length practice set early to find your weak areas.
2Weeks 1-6: Run a question bank daily. Pediatric emergency questions are scenario-based and application-level, so daily reps with rationale review are the spine of the plan.
3Weeks 2-4: Front-load respiratory emergencies and resuscitation. Respiratory distress and failure (asthma, bronchiolitis, croup, foreign body), pediatric assessment triangle, PALS algorithms, airway management, and shock recognition in children.
4Weeks 3-5: Drill the high-frequency presentations by system. Fever and sepsis, dehydration and fluid management, seizures and altered mental status, cardiac emergencies, trauma and the injured child, and toxicologic emergencies.
5Weeks 4-6: Cover age-specific care and medication safety. Developmental considerations from infant to adolescent, weight-based dosing and safe administration, pain assessment in children, and atraumatic care.
6Weeks 4-6: Add child maltreatment and the professional role. Recognition and reporting of abuse and neglect, family-centered care and communication, end-of-life and bereavement, and documentation and safety.
7Weeks 7-8: Switch to timed, mixed practice. Build stamina for 175 items in 3 hours and rehearse pacing.
8Final week: Consolidate, do not cram. Work your error log and a high-yield respiratory and weight-based-dosing sheet, taper new material, and confirm your PSI or LRP logistics.
9Throughout: Keep one error log. The final-week review of your specific missed questions is the highest-return activity.

Best CPEN review courses & question banks

BoardVitals CPEN Question Bank
Subscription qbank
Board-style pediatric emergency question pool with rationales; a strong primary qbank for application-level reps.
View BoardVitals
ENA Pediatric (ENPC) & CPEN Review Resources
Review course / books
ENA's pediatric emergency review materials and the core content the exam is built around. (Listed for completeness; no affiliate relationship.)

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, RenewRN may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Courses listed without a link are included for completeness; we have no affiliate relationship with them.

Recommended CPEN books

CPEN Review (Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse)
An outline-plus-questions review resource for the BCEN CPEN exam.
View on Amazon
Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC) Provider Manual
The ENA pediatric emergency core content widely used to prepare for CPEN.
View on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, RenewRN earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Before committing to a full qbank, take a set of pediatric emergency practice questions to see where you stand, especially on respiratory emergencies and weight-based medication safety.

Try free CPEN practice questions

Which exam to take

CPEN is the pediatric-emergency BCEN credential. CEN is the broad emergency-nursing certification (adult and pediatric), and CPN (from PNCB) is the general pediatric nursing credential, not emergency-focused. Choose CPEN if your focus is children in the ED; some emergency nurses hold both CEN and CPEN.

Keeping it current

BCEN certification is valid for 4 years. You can recertify by earning 100 CE contact hours within the cycle (at least 75 clinical and specialty-specific, with at least 50 from an accredited source) or by retaking the exam. Confirm the current contact-hour rules with BCEN.

Frequently asked questions

How hard is the CPEN exam?: You must answer 110 of the 150 scored items correctly, a relatively high bar. BCEN does not publish a pass-rate percentage, only counts, so there is no official 'X% pass' figure to quote. The difficulty concentrates in pediatric respiratory emergencies and resuscitation. A question-bank-driven plan that front-loads those areas is the most reliable approach.
Do I need a certain number of pediatric ER hours to take the CPEN?: No. BCEN requires only a current unencumbered RN license. It recommends at least 2 years of specialty experience before testing, but that is a recommendation, not a requirement.
How much does the CPEN exam cost?: The initial exam is $380, or $285 for ENA members; there is a $195 military rate and a $200 retest. Confirm current pricing with BCEN.
CPEN vs CPN vs CEN: which fits me?: CPEN certifies pediatric emergency nursing (BCEN). CEN is the broad emergency credential covering adult and pediatric patients. CPN (PNCB) is general pediatric nursing, not emergency-focused. Choose CPEN if your work is children in the ED.
How do I recertify the CPEN?: Every 4 years, by earning 100 CE contact hours during the cycle (at least 75 clinical and specialty-specific, 50 from an accredited source) or by retaking the exam. Confirm the current requirements with BCEN.

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