DNC Certification
Certification is awarded to those who have successfully completed the certification process by meeting the eligibility criteria and passing a multiple choice written examination. The designated credential is Dermatology Nurse Certified (DNC).
Certification is valid for a period of three (3) years. Re-certification may be attained through contact hours of continuing education credit or by examination.
The dermatology nursing certification examination is based on a job analysis of dermatology nursing practice. The job analysis and the examination were developed with the assistance of the Center for Nursing Education and Testing (C-NET). The test consists of 175 multiple choice items, written within the framework of the nursing process. The examination is approximately 4 hours in length.
Objectives of the Examination
The dermatology nursing certification examination is designed to measure the nurse’s ability to:
- Assess and monitor the status of patients with dermatologic disorders before, during, and after treatment. (30%)
- Plan, administer (or assist others to administer), and monitor the medical, surgical, and phototherapeutic interventions for patients with dermatologic disorders. (30%)
- Select appropriate strategies to meet the educational, health promotion, and psycho-socio-cultural needs of dermatology patients, their significant others, and the community. (29%)
- Coordinate care to ensure safe, efficient delivery of high-quality dermatology care, in collaboration with other healthcare providers and community resources. (11%)
Content Areas of the Examination
- General Dermatology – 55%
- Surgical Dermatology – 30%
- Phototherapy – 15%
- Infections – 15%
- Tumors/Malignancies – 15%
- Dermatitis – 13%
- Papulosquamous Disorders – 13%
- Photosensitivity/Photodamage – 9%
- Hypersensitivities, Vasculitis, Infestations – 7%
- Pigmentation/Vascular Disorders – 6%
- Hair and Nails – 5%
- Acne and Rosacea – 5%
- Wounds and Ulcers – 5%
- Bullous and Immune Disorders – 4%
- Miscellaneous – 3%
View the DNC Patient Problem List (pdf)
DNC Individuals
Trudy Adamson
Yvonne A. Alameddine
Tammy Turner Alexander
Jona L. Allen
Sheri Altic
Jeanne Alvarez
Lisa Anastasia
Merlie F. Ancheta
Diana Badalova
Melissa Baker
Cheryl Balestrieri
Howard Barnard
Kimberly Barry
Carolyn Barth
Michelle Barton
Joan Bedlion
Michelle Bell
Charlene Berger
Tiffany M. Bewley
Donna M. Beyer
Dana Bigham
Stephanie C. Binick
Angela Borger
Debra Bourque
Joan Brandsgaard
Rosemary Brinsek
Rebecca Brosnan
Dina Bryant
Nadia Buchko
Stephanie J. Burkholder
Stephanie Burns
Allison P. Cangialosi
Katherine M. Carlson
Rebekah Carlson
Markus Edward Carter
Jennifer Chirico
Wendee Christensen
Angela Ciliberto
Leigh Conty
Melissa P. Cooper
Janet T. Crawford
Stephanie Creek
Molly Crowhurst
Susan K. Dean
Katherine deKanter
Laura DeLap
Elizabeth M. Denson
Mary Alice Deutsch
Jacqueline P. Dickinson
Marites Domine
Cecelia Donelson
Maureen Dooley
Kayla Dortland
Rachel M. Dutcher
Patricia Eidenback
Stacy L. Ellens
Emily Elliott
Cheryl Elmore
Maryrose O’Hara Espil
Karen Fairbrother
Jennifer Ferris
Meredith Ferris
Donna Fichera
Felisha Figueroa
Cynthia Fleck
Abigail J. Florentino
Maura Flynn
Margo Folley
Theresa Foster
Linda Frank
Geraldine Fricker
Veronica Fromann
Marisa K. Gallardo
Blair Gallivan
Alexandria Gamboa
Erin Gaylord
Teri J. Geitner
Lisa Gerler
Tara Gillespie
Jane Glaze
Kathy Goers (Retired Status)
Heather M. Goff
Phyllis Greeley (Retired Status)
Karen Griggs
Kathy A. Gross
Tracy Grove
Joan Guild
Catherine Haake
Kristina R. Haar
Carmen Halbohn
Harriet Lin Hall
Kelly Halloran
Suzanne Haman
Sandy M. Hammond
Rhonda L. Hand
Stephanie Hernandez
Susan Hill-Loehr
Margaret Hirsch
Shirley Hoehn
Christine L. Howard
Lynne Hulvey
Sandra Hurwitch
Brooke Ingram
Kelley L. Jimenez
Joanie Jones
Toni M. Juenemann
Sierra K. Kane
Melanie Karner
Kathleen Kelly
Elizabeth Klincewicz
Kelsey Klostermeier
Mark Knight
Kristine Ko
Nancy H. Kota
Michelle Krajewski
Mary Krempa
Daniella Lavignani
Adriana Laze
Jeanne LeBlanc
Michelle Lee
Jordyn Lewandowski
Christina Lewis
Mary Lewis
Anna Skripnik Lucas
Brooke Macdougall
Ann-Marie Magee
Megan Maloney
Brenda Marbry
Linda Markham
Mary Ann Martin
Sheryl Martinec
Idalia Massey
Karla Mathews
Sue Herold McCann
Ashley McIntyre
Ingrid R. Meyris
Helen M. Middleton
Cynthia Miller
Julie Miller
Margaret Milner
Rhonda Mincey
Catherine Moxham
Martha Adigwe Mozia
Margaret Mudd
Marjorie O’Byrne
Kari Pardeik
Cecelia M. Pasquesi
Linda Pepe
Arlene Peregrin
Carmela Stacy Peterson
Julie Peterson-Honerkamp
Jennifer Phillips
Teresa Pipper
Donica Plamenatz-Willman
Mary Post
Colleen Powell
Roberta Ann Purdome
Jasmin Que-Laohoo
Kinga Reeise
Kimberly M. Reyes
Ashley Roberts
Jennifer I. Rogers
Jessica Rose
Janina Rukavina
Macee Safranski
Monik Savoie
Pamela Schell-Werschler
Marcia Schiavo
Nicole Schlueter
Colleen Schmidt
Monica Scholl
Kozue Schulte
Holly E. Scogin
Heather Scott
Jessica Simmons
Nicole Skaggs
Jaclyn Soileau
Jennifer Sorce
Peggy Sorenson
Teresa Sprague
Amanda Stachlewitz
Ashley B. Stevenson
Marla Stiles
Laura Stockel
Rhonda Strunk
Rita J. Stueder
Mary Kathleen Tapia
Shawn D. Taylor
Brie Trefrey
Maria Tully
Laura Vincent
Sandra Walsh
Marianne Walter
Lisa Wan
Mandy Wever
Mary Wiatrowski
Barbara E. Wittek
Leila Woods
Krista Woolsey
Shelley Wrisinger
Jill P. Wyrick
Sara J. Ziemer
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to sit for the Dermatology Nurse Certified (DNC) exam, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Have a minimum of 2 years of dermatology nursing experience as a RN.
- Hold a current and unrestricted license as a RN in the U.S. or Canada.
- Have a minimum of 2,000 hours of work experience in dermatology nursing within the past 2 years in a general staff, administrative, teaching or research capacity.
Download the DNC Certification Application and Exam Brochure (Paper and Pencil Version) (PDF).
Download the DNC Certification Application and Exam Brochure (Computer Based Version) (PDF).
Complete the application, include supporting documentation and payment and mail to
DNCB Certification Program
c/o C-Net
35 Journal Square, Suite 901
Jersey City, NJ 07306
Obtain an application by mail
To obtain an application by mail, please write to C-Net at the address above, call 800.463.0786, or fax 201.217.9785.
Registration Cost
DNA Member: $260
DNA Non-Member: $335
See application for full description of fees including re-certification fees.
Re-certification Requirements
Each certification granted by the Dermatology Nursing Certification Board (DNCB) is valid for a three-year period. Expiration of certification shall occur uniformly on December 31. Candidates for re-certification must meet eligibility requirements for certification:
- Hold a current and unrestricted license as a registered nurse in the U.S., Canada, or a country approved by C-NET for the first certification test.
- Have a minimum of two years of dermatology nursing experience as an RN.
Re-certification candidates must also pay re-certification fees, and must meet one of the following criteria:
- Successful completion of the certification examination prior to certification expiration.
OR - Submission of completed application for re-certification through continuing education prior to certification expiration.
- DNC Re-certification Packet (PDF)
- DNC Re-certification Packet (Word)
To reactivate certification within two years after expiration:
If a certified nurse fails to re-certified allowing their certification to lapse, they have up to two (2) years from expiration to submit a re-certification packet requesting reactivation of certification. All requirements for reactivation/re-certification must have been met during the 3 year period prior to the date of application.
To reactivate certification more than 2 years after expiration:
Reactivation is still possible. Individuals must test.
DNC Recertification Fee
- DNA member $175
- Non DNA member $250
DCNP Reactivation Fee
- DNA member $240
- Non DNA Member $315
Application Process
The same application for re-certification applies. In addition, the applicant understands that the reactivation option for the DNC or DCNP credential can only be used once.
Download the Reactivation Application (PDF)
Prepare Yourself!
The Dermatology Nurses’ Association offers a variety of study tools to help you prepare for the exam:
• Certification online review course (Launched 2020)
• Dermatologic Nursing Essentials: A Core Curriculum, 2nd & 3rd editions, with chapter self-assessments
• Full-day courses and symposiums
• Educational sessions at the DNA Annual Convention and on the DNA CE Center
Dermatologic Nursing Essentials: A Core Curriculum, 2nd Edition (2003)
DNA has set the nursing standard with the scope and content of Dermatologic Nursing Essentials. This is the 2nd edition of our best-selling core curriculum textbook. It is a primary certification exam reference.
Dermatologic Nursing Essentials: A Core Curriculum, 3rd Edition (2016)
DNA has set the nursing standard with the scope and content of Dermatologic Nursing Essentials. This is the 3rd edition of our best-selling core curriculum textbook. It is a primary certification exam reference.
- Dermatology content & study questions
- Over 90 color clinical photos
- Hardcover, user-friendly format
For more information visit the DNA website at www.dnanurse.org