CNE®cl Renewal

Please note:  
  • All renewals must be submitted by December 15.
  • There is a late fee of $50 for renewals submitted after October 1.
  • The NLN Certification office will be closed from December 20 to January 2.

About CNE®cl Renewal

Welcome to the Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE®cl) certification renewal page. The CNE®cl Renewal Program was created to help you remain current in the practice and continue to expand your knowledge relevant to the role of an academic clinical nurse educator. The NLN's CNE®cl Renewal Program upholds both the objectives of the CNE®cl program and the NLN's vision to promote lifelong learning.

The NLN's decision to introduce a renewal program followed several years of careful consideration and market research. Information derived from surveys of certified members and nonmembers, as well as other benchmark data, showed not only that certification maintenance is standard among comparable organizations, but also that individuals overwhelmingly support some form of ongoing certification requirements for maintaining the integrity of their professional credentials.

This flexible program recognizes that you and your colleagues represent various careers levels, have different educational needs and career goals, and varying degrees of access to continuing education. Thus, requirements for maintaining certification can be met through multiple sources and a variety of professional development activities intended to help individuals prepare for the challenges ahead and maintain a professional edge by:

  • Preserving the currency of hard-earned certification credentials
  • Expanding their knowledge
  • Reinforcing skills
  • Improving job performance
  • Demonstrating commitment to excellence
  • Increasing competitive advantage

The renewal of the certifications requires evidence of continuing competency being demonstrated by activities directly linked to the competencies of the certification. Continuing competency of renewal activities should show ongoing demonstration of levels of knowledge and skills being applied to the role of the nurse educator, and a commitment to professional development and growth that is represented with the credential.

CNEcl Renewal Fees:

  • NLN Member - $250
  • Non-Member - $350

Review the CNEcl Renewal Credit Guide

Review the Certelligence Renewal Guide

Requirements for Maintaining Your CNE®cl
  • Documentation of valid licensure/ certificate or other documentation of unencumbered practice in the country of residence
  • Have the equivalent of two or more years of employment in the past five years functioning in the full scope of the academic faculty role.
  • Have Certified Nurse Educator Code of Ethics compliance.
  • Pay renewal fees by the certification expiration date.
    • NLN Member Fee:  $250
    • Non-member Fee:  $350
  • Maintain five-year cycle, refer to certificate for expiration date.
  • Demonstrate continued maintenance or expansion of your knowledge relevant to the role of academic nurse educator within the five-year renewal cycle. Candidate must choose from one of the following:
    • Option A: Submit documents to support competence was maintained or enhanced.
    • Option B: Pass the CNEcl exam before the due date for the certification renewal documents.

The Retired option is available for the CNEcl who is retiring from academic teaching and wishes to retain the credential. The Retired status as a form of renewal is a life-long status not requiring a renewal on a time cycle (i.e. five years). After approval, the credential designation “CNEcl Ret” may be used.

Information for Meeting Requirements
Option A: Credit Requirements
  • Accrue a minimum of 75 renewal credits (RCs) during each renewal cycle.
  • Renewal credit refers to "organized professional activities which are indicators of continued professional development as a nurse educator."
  • Activities must be entered in all six of the Core Competency areas.
  • Match one competency per activity.
  • Credits are earned only for participation in activities during the current renewal cycle.
  • Qualifying activities will be distributed across the five-year period.
Option B: CNEcl Exam
  • Register and pass the Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator exam before the certification expiration date.
  • How to register (link to CNEcl Registration page)
Renewal Cycle

Each renewal cycle is a five-year period. The certification period begins on the day the CNEcl receives her/his official passing test score and ends on the last day of the fifth year. An expiration date is located on each CNEcl certificate.  The renewal application must be submitted by October 1st of the expiration year.

Renewal Process

We are paper-free for CNEcl renewal. Please go to NLN.org, click on the Certification tab, and then click the red button that says Renew Now. You will also have the ability to upload documentation to the application if you wish.

Option A - Credit requirements
  • Supporting documentation can be uploaded directly to the application on the Certification Portal
  • All renewal activities submitted for renewal credit are subject to review and approval by the ANECP.
  • Credit may be denied by the ANECP.
  • It is the responsibility of the CNEcl to maintain certification.
  • Each year, the NLN Certification Program will randomly select a percentage of certificants for a renewal audit.
Option B - Pass CNEcl exam
CNEcl Retired Status

The Retired option is available for the CNEcl who is retiring from academic teaching and wishes to retain the credential. The Retired status as a form of renewal is a life-long status not requiring a renewal on a time cycle (i.e. five years). After approval, the credential designation “CNEcl Ret” may be used. The application for CNEcl Retired status can be completed through the Certification Portal.

CNEcl Retired Status Fees:

  • NLN Member - $250
  • Non-member - $325

Renew Certification