CPPN: Certified Pediatric Perianesthesia Nurse
What is the CPPN: Certified Pediatric Perianesthesia Nurse?
A specialty certification focused on the unique care of pediatric patients across the perianesthesia continuum.
Who is it for?
Nurses who provide perianesthesia care to pediatric patients in any setting.
When can I learn more?
More details, including eligibility and exam information, will be available June 2026. Sign up for our free newsletter to learn more about the exam when details are available!
The Exam and Eligibility
The CPPN examination is being developed specifically for nurses who provide direct care to pediatric patients undergoing anesthesia and procedural sedation. The examination is expected to consist of 185 questions, including 140 scored items and 45 pretest questions, with a testing time of three hours.
Current eligibility requirements under consideration include:
- A current, unrestricted RN license in the United States or its territories
- At least 1,200 hours of direct clinical experience caring for pediatric or mixed patient populations within the two years prior to application
Additional details regarding eligibility, application procedures, testing windows, and fees will be shared as they become available.
CPPN Content Outline
One of the most important steps in preparing for any certification exam is understanding what knowledge areas will be assessed. The CPPN Exam Content Outline serves as the blueprint for the examination and reflects the responsibilities and knowledge required of pediatric perianesthesia nurses in practice.
The examination is organized into five domains:
1. Anesthesia (21%)
This domain focuses on anesthesia techniques, anesthetic and reversal agents, stages of anesthesia, and special considerations for unique patient populations, including neonates and patients with pre-existing conditions.
2. Physiology (21%)
Questions in this domain assess knowledge of pathophysiology, growth and development, physical assessment, physiologic responses to procedures and anesthesia, and complications related to underlying conditions.
3. Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention (25%)
As the largest content area on the exam, this domain covers critical monitoring and intervention skills, including:
- Airway management
- Hemodynamic monitoring
- Pain management
- Fluid and electrolyte balance
- Infection prevention
- Pharmacology
- Postoperative nausea and vomiting
- Perianesthesia emergencies
4. Perianesthesia Care Considerations (23%)
This domain addresses patient care across the continuum, from pre-admission through discharge. It also includes individualized care planning, patient and family education, communication strategies, and considerations for developmental, psychosocial, behavioral, and physiological needs.
5. Professional Nursing Practice and Guidelines (10%)
This domain evaluates knowledge related to evidence-based practice, patient safety, interdisciplinary collaboration, professional standards, and key guidelines such as ASPAN Standards, PALS, ACLS, ASA recommendations, and MHAUS protocols.
Want to get involved?
Scroll to the bottom of the page for volunteer opportunities for pediatric perianesthesia nurses to support exam development and related efforts. You do not need to hold any credentials to volunteer for these opportunities; you must be a perianesthesia nurse (RN) who works with pediatric patients at least 50% of the time.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
As ABPANC develops the new CPPN certification, there are multiple ways to get involved and contribute your expertise. Volunteer opportunities are available within both our Education Division—focused on developing review and preparation materials—and our Certification Division, where volunteers help write and review exam items to ensure they reflect real-world pediatric perianesthesia practice.
Whether you’re interested in shaping how candidates prepare or what the exam ultimately measures, your perspective is needed. A full list of current
volunteer opportunities is available below.
If you’re interested in serving as a subject matter expert for review material development, please contact us at education@cpancapa.org to learn more.
CERTIFICATION DIVISION VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Perianesthesia Pediatric Exam Groups: CPPN Examination Review Committee (CPPN ERC)
ABPANC is developing an exam for perianesthesia nurses who primarily care for pediatric patients. The Certified Pediatric Perianesthesia Nurse (CPPN) exam is anticipated to debut in 2027. Inaugural CPPN exam development volunteers must be current RNs and actively working in pediatric perianesthesia nursing.
Various groups of volunteers will be needed in 2026 and 2027 to complete CPPN exam development.
Meetings and Time Commitment: Pre-review prior to meeting; In-person November 6-8, 2026 for a 2 ½ day meeting.
Perianesthesia Pediatric Exam Groups: CPPN Item Review Committee (CPPN IRC)
ABPANC is developing an exam for perianesthesia nurses who primarily care for pediatric patients. The Certified Pediatric Perianesthesia Nurse (CPPN) exam is anticipated to debut in 2027. Inaugural CPPN exam development volunteers must be current RNs and actively working in pediatric perianesthesia nursing.
Various groups of volunteers will be needed in 2026 and 2027 to complete CPPN exam development.
Meetings and Time Commitment: In-person September 18-20, 2026 for a 2 ½ day meeting.
Perianesthesia Pediatric Exam Groups: CPPN Item Writing Committee (CPPN IWC)
ABPANC is developing an exam for perianesthesia nurses who primarily care for pediatric patients. The Certified Pediatric Perianesthesia Nurse (CPPN) exam is anticipated to debut in 2027. Inaugural CPPN exam development volunteers must be current RNs and actively working in pediatric perianesthesia nursing.
Various groups of volunteers will be needed in 2026 and 2027 to complete CPPN exam development.
Meetings and Time Commitment: In-person June 26-28, 2026 for a three-day meeting in Alexandria, VA.