CHPN® – Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse
About the CHPN Exam
The Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN) certification, offered by the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC), is designed for experienced Registered Nurses (RNs) specializing in hospice and palliative care. This certification validates their expertise in areas such as symptom and pain management, patient and family care, ethical considerations, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation (HPNF) offers scholarships to help nurses cover the cost of CHPN certification exams. These scholarships aim to reduce financial barriers and encourage more nurses to pursue specialty certification in hospice and palliative care.
At HospicePalliativeReview.com, we offer an extensive question bank with 1,400+ practice questions aligned to the CHPN exam blueprint. Each question includes detailed rationales and is reviewed by experienced hospice and palliative care professionals to ensure accuracy and relevance.
CHPN Eligibility Requirements
To earn the CHPN Certification the candidate must pass the CHPN Exam, which comprises 150 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 3 hours.
Who Can Apply?
- 1Hold a current, active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the United States
- 2Have direct clinical experience in hospice or palliative care as required by the HPCC
- 3500 hours of practice in the past 12 months or 1,000 hours of practice in the past 24 months
Candidates can become eligible for the CHPN exam by completing a BSN, ASN, or Diploma in Nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN examination to obtain their Registered Nurse license.
An active RN license requires a passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN), after which an individual is required to work in hospice and palliative care for the specified number of hours noted above prior to taking the CHPN exam.
How to Apply
- 1
Online Application
Submit your application online through the HPCC website during the designated application window.
- 2
Application Submission
Complete all required documentation, including verification of your nursing license and clinical experience hours.
- 3
Scheduling the Exam
Once approved, schedule your exam at a designated testing center or via live remote proctoring.
- 4
Preparation
Use study resources such as the CHPN Question Bank to prepare thoroughly for the exam.
CHPN Exam Content & Focus Areas
Updated for the 2027 Exam Blueprint
The CHPN exam covers 5 key domains that assess a nurse’s knowledge and competency in hospice and palliative care. The exam has a time limit of 3 hours and consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. Understanding these content areas is essential for thorough exam preparation.
Content Category Distribution
- Patient Care - Assessment & Planning(18.5%)
- Patient Care - Pain Management(19.3%)
- Patient Care - Symptom Management(20.7%)
- Support, Education, and Advocacy(20.7%)
- Practice Issues(20.7%)
Content Categories & Percentages
2027 Exam Blueprint
| Content Category | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Patient Care - Assessment & Planning | 18.5% |
| Patient Care - Pain Management | 19.3% |
| Patient Care - Symptom Management | 20.7% |
| Support, Education, and Advocacy | 20.7% |
| Practice Issues | 20.7% |
How to Apply for the CHPN Exam?
Candidates can apply for the CHPN exam online through the HPCC website. The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation (HPNF) also offers scholarships to help cover certification exam costs for eligible nurses.
CHPN Exam Schedule
The CHPN exam is offered during four testing windows throughout the year: March, June, September, and December. Candidates can schedule their exam at an in-person testing center or through live remote proctoring during these windows.
Modes and Proctoring of CHPN Exam
The CHPN exam is available through two testing modes: In-Person at designated testing centers and Live Remote Proctoring, which allows candidates to take the exam from home or another quiet, private location while being monitored by a live proctor via webcam.
CHPN Exam Fees
- Non-Members: $445
- HPNA Members: $305
- reTEST Fee: $135
What is the Passing Score of the CHPN Exam?
Candidates must achieve a scaled score that meets the pass requirements for the CHPN exam. The exam uses a scaled scoring system where raw scores are converted to a standardized scale to account for variations in difficulty across different exam versions. This ensures a fair and consistent passing standard for all candidates regardless of which version of the exam they take.
Benefits of CHPN Certification
- Professional Recognition: The CHPN credential is nationally recognized and demonstrates specialized knowledge in hospice and palliative nursing, setting certified nurses apart in the healthcare field.
- Career Advancement: CHPN-certified nurses may qualify for leadership roles, higher compensation, and expanded professional opportunities within hospice and palliative care organizations.
- Improved Patient Outcomes: Certification ensures that nurses have the latest evidence-based knowledge and skills to provide high-quality, compassionate care to patients and families facing serious illness.
- Commitment to Excellence: Earning the CHPN credential signals a dedication to continuous learning and maintaining the highest standards of hospice and palliative nursing practice.
Resources for the CHPN Exam
CHPN Question Bank
Access 1,400+ practice questions aligned to the CHPN exam blueprint with detailed rationales, Simulation Exams, and analytics.
Explore Question Bank →Candidate Handbook
Download the official CHPN Candidate Handbook from the HPCC website for complete information on eligibility, application procedures, and exam content.
Visit HPCC Website →Detailed Content Outline
Review the CHPN Detailed Content Outline (DCO) to understand the specific topics and competencies assessed on the exam.
View Content Outline →CHPN Study Tips
Effective study strategies including creating a study schedule, using practice questions, focusing on weak areas, and joining study groups.
View Study Tips →CHPN Study Guide
Comprehensive study guides covering all five content domains of the CHPN exam, including patient care, pain and symptom management, and practice issues.
Get Study Materials →Core Curriculum
The Core Curriculum for the Generalist Hospice and Palliative Nurse is a comprehensive reference that covers all domains tested on the CHPN exam.
Learn More →Prices
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CHPN Question Bank
What's included
CHPN Question Bank
What's included
No risk. Cancel within 7 days for a full refund.
CHPN Recertification
Maintaining CHPN® Certification To maintain CHPN certification, you need to fulfill the requirements for the Hospice and Palliative Accrual for Recertification (HPAR) and complete the Situational Judgment Exercise (SJE). The SJE involves case-based scenarios designed to evaluate advanced critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills beyond what is tested in the initial certification exam. Additional information can be viewed on the official HPCC website here.
FAQs on CHPN Certification
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