To qualify for the exam, you must hold a current, unencumbered Registered Nurse license in either the United States, a U.S. Territory, Canada or Australia. A foreign nursing certificate that is equivalent to a U.S. Registered Nurse license is also acceptable and must be verified through TruMerit.

You may be eligible. We can help get your degree/licensure verified through our International Credential Evaluation service. Our partner, TruMerit, will help authenticate your international degree or license and report back to us.

BCEN recommends candidates have at least two years of experience in their specialty area before scheduling a certification exam; however, this is not required.

Yes, as long as you have a current, unencumbered Registered Nurse license or international equivalent.

Your BCEN credential can be used until your expiration date; however, you can apply for a retired designation to maintain your certification beyond your bedside practice.

Any restriction, suspension, probation, or any order arising from a Nursing License Authority that limits a nurse’s ability to function and perform related tasks will disqualify a candidate to sit for the examination unless the candidate is a qualified individual with a disability who can function and perform all related tasks with or without reasonable accommodation. These candidates must submit in writing, to the BCEN office, evidence of disability along with an application and documentation materials in order for consideration of eligibility.

If there is a current stipulation or action against a candidate’s nursing license, but the candidate is permitted to perform all functions and related tasks, the candidate may be eligible to take the examination. These candidates must submit an official letter from the Nursing License Authority along with an application and documentation materials to the BCEN office verifying that there are no limitations on their ability to perform all related nursing functions.