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Clinical Nurse Specialists

Certification, Licensing, and Special Requirements

Certification or Licensing

National certification exams are offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in various clinical specialties, although not all states require these examinations or recognize clinical nurse specialist status. The ANCC offers specialty examinations in adult-gerontology, psychiatric–mental health, home health, pediatric, and other areas.

Additional certifications are available from the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation, Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board, Association of Rehabilitation Nurses, and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists reports that 67 percent of CNSs are nationally certified.

To become a clinical nurse specialist, you must first become a licensed RN by passing a national examination after graduating from an approved nursing program. All states require RN licensing before a nurse is allowed to practice.

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