CHPN® Certification Requirements

/ Nursing Advanced Practice / By / August 29, 2025
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How to Apply for CHPN® Certification

Ready to take the next step in your nursing career? Earning your Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN®) credential shows your expertise and dedication to providing quality care at the end of life. Here’s what you need to know to qualify, apply, and prepare.

Step 1: Make Sure You Qualify

To sit for the CHPN exam, you must:

  1. Hold a current, active nursing license in the United States, its territories, or in Canada.

  2. Have 500 hours of practice in hospice and palliative nursing within the past 12 months OR 1,000 hours within the past 24 months.

If you answered yes to both, you’re ready to move forward!

Step 2: Apply for the Exam

You can apply online or by mail:

  • Online Application

    • Visit advancingexpertcare.org and select your exam under the Certification tab.

    • Click “Begin Online Exam Application” to be directed to the PSI website.

    • Complete your application, confirm eligibility, and schedule your exam.

  • Paper Application

    • Download the Candidate Handbook here.

    • Complete the paper form and mail it with payment to:

      HPCC Certification Examination, PSI
      18000 W. 105th St.
      Olathe, KS 66061-7543

Step 3: Be Ready to Provide

When applying, you’ll need:

  • Your HPNA membership number (to receive the discounted rate).

  • The location of your preferred testing center.

  • Credit card or payment details.

Exam Fees:

  • $415 for non-members

  • $295 for HPNA members

Step 4: Get Approved

  • Online Applications: Your eligibility will be confirmed immediately after submission and payment. From there, you’ll be able to schedule your exam or be asked to provide additional information.

  • Paper Applications: Processing may take up to two weeks. Once approved, PSI will send you a confirmation notice with scheduling details.

See also  Read a Real CHPN®'s Story!

Step 5: Start Studying

Most candidates begin studying 2–3 months in advance. Build a realistic study plan and use resources like:

  • Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN) Exam Review – A comprehensive guide with practice questions and exam strategies.

  • Online flashcards, practice tests, and review courses.

Resources

  • Advancing Expert Care. (n.d.). Homepage. Retrieved from https://advancingexpertcare.org/

  • Hospice & Palliative Credentialing Center. (2019). CHPN Candidate Handbook. Retrieved from HPCC CHPN Handbook PDF

  • Wright, P. M. (2019). Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN) Exam Review. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.

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