Hospice Palliative Certification

CHPN® – Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse

About 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 more, ensuring the highest standards of nursing care. It also supports professional development and demonstrates a commitment to excellence in the field.

Additionally, the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation (HPNF) offers scholarships to cover certification fees, available for both first-time certifications and renewals, making this opportunity accessible to nurses nationwide.

To assist nurses in achieving this certification, HospicePalliativeReview.com provides a comprehensive CHPN Question Bank with over 1,400 practice questions and predictor exams. This resource is specifically crafted to help RNs prepare with confidence and succeed on the CHPN exam.


To earn the CHPN Certification the candidate must pass the CHPN Exam, which comprises 150 multiple-choice practice questions. Candidates are expected to complete this exam in 3 hours.

Below Are Eligibility Criteria for CHPN Exam:

To become eligible for the Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN) exam, you must first become a Registered Nurse (RN). The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) identifies that there are thee education paths for Registered Nurses: a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), or a Diploma from an approved nursing program at a medical center or hospital. 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. 

CHPN – Eligibility Requirements

CHPN Exam Content & Focus Areas

-The CHPN exam evaluates competencies across five key domains of hospice and palliative nursing, as noted below. To prepare effectively for these areas, RNs can access the CHPN Question Bank and practice tests provided by HospicePalliativeReview.com, which are designed to reflect the exam’s structure and rigor.

The time limit of the CHPN Exam is 3 hours. 

A total of 150 multiple-choice questions are asked in the CHPN Exam.

CHPN Exam Content Outline

Content Category
Questions
Patient Care - Assessment & Planning
25
Patient Care - Pain Management
26
Patient Care - Symptom Management
28
Support, Education, and Advocacy
28
Practice Issues
28

How to Apply for the CHPN Exam?

All candidates can apply for the CHPN Exam online directly from the HPCC website.  Click on this link and then either apply for a Scholarship or Begin the Exam Application.  You are eligible to apply for scholarships if you are applying for or renewing your CHPN certification if you are personally paying for the exam or HPAR fee. 

CHPN Exam Schedule

The CHPN exam is available during designated testing windows, each with a corresponding application deadline. It is important to ensure all application requirements are completed by the specified deadline to be eligible to take the exam. Detailed information regarding testing windows and deadlines is available on the HPCC website.
  • March 1 to March 31
  • June 1 to June 30
  • September 1 to September 30
  • December 1 to December 31

Modes and Proctoring of CHPN Exam

The CHPN exam offers two testing options to accommodate different preferences and circumstances: in-person testing and live remote proctoring. In-Person Testing: The exam is administered at designated testing centers. Candidates must travel to a testing center on their scheduled exam date. Live Remote Proctoring: The exam can be taken from a candidate’s home or another private location. A live proctor monitors the candidate via webcam.

CHPN Exam Fees

  • CHPN Exam fees for Initial Certification are $445 for non-members and $305 for HPNA members. For the reTEST Assured, the exam fee is $125.
  • You can contact the HPNA Membership department to become a member, they offer seven different membership categories. 

What is the Passing Score of the CHPN Exam?

To pass the CHPN exam, a scaled score of at least 75 is required. The exam uses a scoring method called scaling, which ensures consistency and fairness across different versions of the test. The process begins with calculating the raw score, which is the total number of questions answered correctly. This raw score is then converted into a scaled score ranging from 0 to 99. The conversion accounts for slight variations in the difficulty of different exam versions while maintaining a consistent passing standard. A scaled score of 75 or higher reflects the required level of knowledge and competency in hospice and palliative care for certification. Candidates who took the in-person test will get their scores before leaving the test center, and candidates who took the remote test will get their scores within 24 hours.
CHPN Exam Certification

Benefits of CHPN Certification

Earning the CHPN credential offers numerous advantages for Registered Nurses, including:
  • Professional Recognition: Certification validates expertise in hospice and palliative care, enhancing credibility among peers and employers.
  • Career Advancement: CHPN certification opens doors to specialized roles, leadership opportunities, and potential salary increases.
  • Improved Patient Outcomes: Certified nurses deliver high quality care, improving overall satisfaction.
  • Commitment to Excellence: Maintaining CHPN certification demonstrates dedication to continuous learning and adherence to best practices.
Using the CHPN Practice Question Bank allows nurses to confidently prepare to achieve these benefits and advance their careers in hospice and palliative care.

Resources for the CHPN Exam

Following are some important resources for CHPN Exam Candidates.

chpn practice test

CHPN Question Bank

Over 1,400 practice questions designed to mirror the exam’s difficulty and content. All questions are reviewed by CHPN certified faculty.

chpn exam questions

Candidate Handbook

Candidate Handbook is provided by HPCC for the CHPN Exam.

chpn exam questions

Detailed Content Outline

Detailed Content Outline prepared by HPCC for CHPN Candidates.

chpn exam notes

CHPN Study Tips

Study Tips created by HPCC for CHPN Candidates.

CHPN Study Guide

CHPN Study Guide prepared by HPCC for CHPN Candidates

Core Curriculum

Core Curriculum provided by HPCC for CHPN Candidates.

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
chpn recertification

CHPN Question Bank

$97 Price - Question Bank

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FAQs on CHPN Certification

A: The Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN) certification is a professional credential for RNs who specialize in hospice and palliative care.

The CHPN exam pass rate ranges from 69% to 75% and can vary from year to year. For the most up-to-date information, visit the official HPCC website: Exam Statistics.

A: Comprehensive preparation resources, including the CHPN Question Bank with over 1,400 practice questions and predictor exams, are available at HospicePalliativeReview.com.

A: Candidates must have an active RN license and recent clinical experience in hospice or palliative care (500 hours in the last 12 months or 1,000 hours in the past 24 months).

A: The CHPN exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, including 135 scored questions and 15 unscored pretest questions. These pretest questions are not identified and do not impact your score.

A: Candidates have 3 hours to complete all 150 questions.

A: HospicePalliativeReview.com provides a CHPN Question Bank and predictor exams to help nurses prepare effectively and confidently for the CHPN exam.

A: Yes, the CHPN exam is available through Live Remote Proctoring (LRP), allowing you to take the test online from home while being monitored by a live proctor via webcam and microphone. 

New CHPN Question Bank: 1400+ Expert -Reviewed Questions

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