The best and most complete information is found on our NLN website, www.nln.org.  Click on the blue Certification tab. All of the information on certifications is located here. The information is divided into areas of the three certifications:  academic nurse educator, clinical academic nurse educator, and novice nurse educator. Each certification has its own Handbook.

A Handbook for each certification is available. Click on the sites on the left of the landing page for which certification you need information. Then click on the link for Handbook. Please read the entire Handbook.

Each Handbook contains the eligibility criteria pertinent to that certification. The eligibility criteria are different for each certification.

If your NLN login does not work, please contact the Membership department at membership@nln.org    Membership can help you with the login and resetting the password if needed.  The login is the same for both the NLN website and the Certification Portal. 

Each certification site has a link to the Certification Portal through which you enter. The application process for that exam begins at that point. Keep in mind that NLN members pay a lower fee than non-NLN members.

Once the application is completed and the fee paid, the application enters the Certification software system into an approval holding area. Once the application is reviewed and approved by Certification staff, the information is transferred to the testing vendor. The vendor (at this time is Meazure Learning) will generate an email with additional instructions about testing. Please read the scheduling email thoroughly as it has valuable information for you.

The email from Meazure Learning has complete scheduling information for you. You may select to test in a testing center or by remotely proctored testing. Please be aware that if you request Accommodation for testing, you must take the exam in a testing center.

Yes, when you select your schedule for testing, you have the choice to schedule by remote testing unless you require testing accommodation.

At the conclusion of the exam and final submission of your answers, the exam is graded, and you will receive a notice of your status from the proctor.

The renewal cycle is for five years, and you are responsible for your own renewal. Renewal can be done by portfolio submission or by taking the exam again.  The renewal application is completed and submitted online through the Certification Portal on the NLN website.  You are able to apply to renew at any time of the year of expiration, prior to October 1. Renewal is open January 1^st to October 1^st.  

Portfolio:  The renewal application is due to the office before October 1^st of the expiration year to allow processing of the renewal before the end of the year, December 1^st. The system randomly selects audits of submitted renewals. You do have the option to upload your documentation when applying for renewal. If you receive an Audit notice, simply go back into your submission, verify that you have the correct renewal credits entered and have entered renewal documentation for a minimum of five of the competencies. Then resubmit the application.

Renew by Testing: You must apply, retest, and have passing results before the expiration date on your certification certificate.

Yes, there are.  You may not “clump” activities into a single entry requesting a large number of Renewal Credits. Each activity must be entered individually and may be more suited to other competencies. The exception is RCs requested for a conference.  For specifics of renewal, use the renewal information for that particular certification, found under the Renewal tab on the website.

Enter your Certification Profile via the Certification Portal. There is a portal on each certification landing page. Once into your profile, click on the Menu link that says Print Certificate and follow the blue links.

It is so very important because all renewal reminders and other notices are emailed using the email that is on your profile. If you have changed your preferred email and not changed it on your profile, you may not receive the renewal reminders or any other important Certification information. When updating your contact information through the NLN website, click over to the Certification Portal to sync the information there. The program usually will send three email reminders about renewal. 

Once certified, if you might be interested in volunteering for test item writing committee (there is one committee for each certification) or test development committee work (there is also one for each certification), submit an email requesting to be reviewed along with a CV to certification@nln.org   

Item writing and test development activities are once a year, usually in the first half of the year. Once approved, you will be notified by the co-chair of the certification that you have requested.