Have you heard? The NBCRNA is updating the CPC Program to the Enhanced CPC Program. This represents a significant shift towards a more streamlined approach to CRNA recertification.
You’re not alone if you’re confused by the never-ending changes to the CPC Program. With lots to unpack, we’re here to demystify how this affects your recertification journey.
Table of Contents
- When will I start the Enhanced CPC Program?
- The ABCs of the Enhanced CPC Program
- How many Class A and B credits do I need?
- Do I need to complete the CPC Assessment?
- Tell me about the quarterly knowledge checks
- Do I need to complete the CPC Core Modules?
- How much does the Enhanced CPC Program cost?
- Get started on your CPC requirements
When will I start the Enhanced CPC Program?
The short answer is that it’s NOT the same for everyone.
Entry into the Enhanced CPC Program is personalized, depending on your current certification cycle. No doubt, this will create a lot of confusion, so don’t assume that the information “helpful” colleagues share on social media necessarily applies to your situation.
Starting on August 1, 2024, CRNAs in the following three groups will start the Enhanced CPC Program:
- CRNAs in their second CPC cycle with a certification renewal deadline of July 31, 2024.
- CRNAs in their first CPC cycle with a certification renewal deadline between January 2024 – July 2024.
- CRNAs who passed the NCE and received their initial certification between January 2024 – July 2024.
If you do NOT fall into one of these three groups, the NBCRNA will notify you when it’s your turn to transition (typically 5 months before your next recertification deadline). In the meantime, you’ll complete the requirements in your current CPC cycle. Here’s an article that tells you everything you need to know about your NBCRNA CPC Program requirements.
Additionally, you can check your NBCRNA member portal for your personalized requirements.
The ABCs of the Enhanced CPC Program
You can think of the ABCs as the building blocks of the Enhanced CPC Program.
A for Class A credits
B for Class B credits
C for quarterly knowledge Checks
Your 4-year cycle now includes 16 quarters, promoting a more active approach to CRNA recertification. Sit tight, and we’ll explain how this affects you in just a minute.
How many Class A and B credits do I Need?
Your Class A and Class B credit requirements remain the same when you transition to the Enhanced CPC Program. Here’s what you’ll need in each 4-year cycle.
- 60 Class A credits
- 40 Class B credits
- Excess Class A credits can count toward your Class B requirement, but not vice versa.
Do I need to complete the CPC Assessment?
Say “goodbye” to the CPC Assessment, but say “hello” to quarterly knowledge checks! This shift means more frequent, though less intensive, interactions with the NBCRNA.
Instead of taking a CPC Assessment every 8 years, you’ll complete several knowledge checks every year that you remain certified.
⚠️ CRNAs in their second CPC cycle must complete the CPC Assessment BEFORE entering the Enhanced CPC Program.
Tell me about the quarterly knowledge checks
The Enhanced CPC Program introduces longitudinal assessment through quarterly knowledge checks. This process supports lifelong learning at frequent intervals throughout your career.
How the Enhanced CPC Program works:
- Your 4-year Enhanced CPC Program is divided into 16 quarters.
When you’ll need to complete your knowledge checks:
- You’ll access your knowledge checks from the NBCRNA’s platform (they won’t be offered by other CE providers).
- Complete 13 knowledge checks across 15 quarters, with a choice to skip 2 quarters.
- No checks in the 16th quarter.
- Sadly, you can’t complete more than one knowledge check per quarter.
What you can expect on your quarterly knowledge checks:
- 30 questions in your first quarter
- 35 questions in each subsequent quarter
- Question types include multiple choice and multiple correct response
- Content covers the four core domains of nurse anesthesiology: airway management, clinical pharmacology, human physiology & pathophysiology, and anesthesia equipment & technology
- Immediate feedback and rationales after each question
- Personalized recommendations on improvement areas to include in your continuing education activities
- Checks are accessible online, without proctoring, offering flexibility to complete or pause as needed.
- Like the CPC Assessment, you must satisfy a predefined performance standard. The performance standard is set by the NBCRNA and is not a publicly available metric. Rest assured, they’ll let you know if you don’t meet the standard. You must complete remediation if you don’t meet the standard, and as of this writing, the NBCRNA has not detailed the remediation requirements.
Here’s a sample schedule for a CRNA who enters the Enhanced CPC Program on August 1, 2024.
Do I need to complete the CPC Core Modules?
Before you move into the Enhanced CPC Program, you must complete all your current CPC cycle requirements, including the CPC Core Modules. This includes all CRNAs with a recertification deadline in 2024 and 2025.
⚠️ CRNAs must complete all current cycle requirements – including the CPC Core Modules – BEFORE entering the Enhanced CPC Program.
Once you enter the Enhanced CPC Program, Core Modules won’t be required. At this point, they become optional, still offering a time-efficient way to earn Class A credits and stay up to date on anesthesia practice.
How much does the Enhanced CPC Program cost?
There are two fees that you’ll pay when you start the Enhanced CPC Program:
- $295 application fee (unchanged from the regular CPC Program)
- $160 platform fee for accessing quarterly knowledge checks. This fee covers your entire 4-year cycle, and there is no prorating option available (e.g., retirement).
Get started on your CPC requirements
As always, APEX is here to help you get the CRNA continuing education you need in a convenient and cost-effective way.
Learn more about signing up for your next CRNA CE course.
