Certification / Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner / Exam Information
Examination Description For NP Exam
The Dermatology Nurse Practitioner’s certification exam is based on a practice analysis of dermatology nurse practitioner practice. The practice analysis and the exam were developed with the assistance of the Center for Nursing Education and Testing (CNET). The test consists of approximately 175 multiple choice items, written within the Nurse Practitioner scope of practice. The examination is approximately 4 hours in length. The content areas, their corresponding percentages and objectives are as follows:
Objectives of the Examination
The Dermatology Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination is designed to measure the nurse practitioner’s ability to:
- Assess and diagnose acute and chronic dermatology
conditions that occur across the life span. (40%)
- Prescribe interventions, including evidence-based
treatments, therapies and procedures. (30%)
- Teach patients, significant others, community, and
colleagues about prevention and management of
dermatological conditions. (19%)
- Consult for and with peers and other health care
professionals regarding specific cases. (5%)
- Perform within the scope of practice, including
proper coding for appropriate reimbursement. (3%)
- Analyze research data in order to implement effective
evidence-based practice. (3%)
Content Areas of the Examination
by Dermatology Nurse Practitioner Activity:
- Assessment & Diagnosis – 40%
- Interventions and Professional Practice – 33%
- Education – 24%
- Research – 3%
by Patient Problem Area:
- Neoplasms – 20%
- Papulosquamous & Eczematous dermatoses – 18%
- Urticarias, Erythemas, Purpuras - 11%
- Cosmetic dermatology & Photodamage - 11%
- Adnexal disease – 8%
- Infections, Infestations, Bites & Stings – 7%
- Pigmentary and Vascular disorders - 7%
- Hair, Nails, & Mucous membranes – 7%
- Vesiculobullous, Autoimmune, & Connective tissue diseases – 6%
- Genodermatoses & Systemic diseases – 5%
Full Patient Problem Area Breakdown List
