CPAN Exam for International Nurses

Promoting Perianesthesia Nursing Excellence Across the World. Elevate Your Practice to New Heights.

Are you a dedicated perianesthesia nurse seeking to showcase your expertise on a global stage? Look no further than the CPAN Exam for International Nurses – your passport to international recognition and career advancement.

Perianesthesia nursing is more than a profession; it’s a commitment to excellence in patient care during the critical perioperative period. As healthcare landscapes evolve worldwide, the demand for highly skilled perianesthesia nurses is on the rise. Now is the time to distinguish yourself as a leader in this specialized field.

What is the CPAN exam?

The Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse exam is designed for registered nurses caring for patients who have experienced sedation, analgesia and anesthesia in a hospital or ambulatory care facility.

Perianesthesia nursing is a unique nursing specialty requiring its own professional certification program.

Why Choose CPAN?

Global Recognition: Based on US nursing standards, the CPAN Exam is designed for perianesthesia nurses from diverse backgrounds. Whether you’re practicing in North America, Europe, Asia, or beyond, CPAN recognizes and validates your Perianesthesia expertise.
Elevate Your Practice: Showcase your dedication to perianesthesia nursing excellence by earning the prestigious CPAN certification. Demonstrate your commitment to patient safety, recovery, and complete care throughout the perioperative journey.
Career Advancement: Open doors to new opportunities and career advancement with the CPAN credential. Stand out in a competitive job market, command higher salaries, and access leadership roles with confidence.
Comprehensive Examination: The CPAN Exam covers a comprehensive range of perianesthesia nursing topics (based on US standards), ensuring that certified nurses possess the knowledge and skills necessary for success in today’s dynamic healthcare environment.
Join a Global Community: Connect with a diverse network of certified perianesthesia nurses worldwide. Share insights, best practices, and professional development opportunities as part of the CPAN community.

Are You Ready to Take the Next Step?

The CPAN Exam is open to all licensed nurses, regardless of geographic location or nursing standards . Prepare to elevate your practice, expand your career horizons, and join a global community of nursing excellence.

Don’t miss this opportunity to become a certified leader in perianesthesia nursing. Register for the CPAN Exam today and embark on a journey toward professional distinction and global recognition. Your patients, colleagues, and career will thank you for it.

Empower yourself. Empower your practice. Empower perianesthesia nursing globally with CPAN.

Take the Next Step to Certification

About the International Exam

ABPANC’s CPAN Exam for International Nurses is written based on U.S.‐based clinical practices standards as outlined in the 2023‐2024 ASPAN Perianesthesia Nursing Standards, Practice Recommendations, and Interpretive Statements. The exam is based on U.S. practice that qualifying international nurses can take.
The exam form includes measurements using the metric system, use of Celsius and Fahrenheit for temperature, as well as other measures.
The International exam is available in English.
View our Frequently Asked Questions about the CPAN Exam for International Nurses

Click here for information about the composition of the exam.

Do I qualify for the CPAN Credential?

Review the questions below to determine if the CPAN credential is right for you:

Did you receive your RN license, or equivalent, outside the US, or a US territory?
Have you completed at least 1,200 hours of direct clinical experience (obtained within the two years prior to applying for initial certification)?

If you answered “yes” to the questions above, you will qualify for the CPAN examination!

Take the Next Step to Certification

License Verification:

Regardless of whether you were born in a different country or pursued education overseas, you can attain board certification from ABPANC. Through partnerships with CGFNS, WES, and ERES, you can undergo international credential evaluation to confirm that your education and licensure align with US standards. Once verified, you will be eligible for CPAN certification!

Important Dates:

ABPANC offers two eight-week-long testing windows for candidates to take the CPAN examination.

Annual Registration Windows for the Exam:

1 January – 30 April
1 July – 31 October

Annual Exam Windows:

15 March – 15 May
15 September – 15 November

Exam Registration Process & Fees:

The exam registration fee is $350.00 for international applicants.
Exam registration will be processed on Learning Builder, ABPANC’s application platform.
Payment will be made using credit cards in U.S. dollars. International transaction fees may apply.
Credential verification fees (through CGFNS, WES, or ERES) are additional. More information can be found on each individual site.

Exam Preparation:

ABPANC offers a wide range of resources to help you study and prepare for the CPAN certification exam. The Certification Candidate Handbook describes all information and policies regarding the CPAN examination and administration. Read this Handbook thoroughly and carefully before registering for the examination.

Additional exam preparation resources are available including:

12-week study guide
Practice Exams
Flashcards
List of resource books
Test Blueprint

Taking the Exam:

ABPANC partners with the testing company, PSI, which supports millions of test takers every year with multi‐modal testing options, through a global test center network, and via online proctoring. PSI delivers millions of tests every year worldwide and offers secure testing online that gives organizations and test takers the confidence their tests are conducted fairly.

Working with our exam administration partners, PSI, ABPANC will allow international candidates to take the exam via:

Live Remote Proctoring
PSI International Test Centers
PSI U.S. and Canadian Test Centers

Click here for more information about taking a remote exam.

Do you have questions about taking the International Exam? Please contact ABPANC at abpanc@cpancapa.org.

Accreditation

ABPANC is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC).

The CPAN and CAPA certification programs have maintained accreditation by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC), since 2004. ABSNC is the only accrediting body specifically for nursing certification. ABSNC accreditation is a peer-review mechanism that allows nursing certification organizations to obtain accreditation by demonstrating compliance with the highest quality standards available in the credentialing industry.

ABPANC currently certifies more than 12,600 perianesthesia nurses who have earned the CPAN and/or CAPA credentials.

No candidate for initial certification or recertification will be denied the opportunity to participate in the ABPANC certification and/or recertification program on the basis of ethnicity, race, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity.