The Board shall determine whether a certification examination
may be used to satisfy a requirement for APRN licensure under this
chapter based upon the following standards:
(1) The certification program is national in the scope
of its credentialing;
(2) Conditions for taking the certification examination
are consistent with acceptable standards of the testing community
and are intended to ensure minimal competence to practice at an advanced
level of nursing;
(3) Education requirements are consistent with the
requirements of the APRN role and population focus area;
(4) The standard methodologies used are acceptable
to the testing community, such as incumbent job analysis studies and
logical job analysis studies;
(5) Certification examinations are accredited by a
national accreditation body as acceptable by the Board;
(6) The examination represents entry-level practice,
with minimum, though critical competencies in the APRN role and population
focus area;
(7) The examination represents the knowledge, skills,
and abilities essential for the delivery of safe and effective advanced
nursing care to patients;
(8) Examination items are reviewed for content validity,
cultural bias, and correct scoring using an established mechanism,
both before use and periodically;
(9) Examinations are evaluated for psychometric performance;
(10) The passing standard is established using acceptable
psychometric methods and is re-evaluated periodically;
(11) Examination security is maintained through established
procedures;
(12) Certification is issued based upon passing the
examination and meeting all other certification requirements;
(13) A retake policy is in place;
(14) A certification maintenance/recertification program
that includes review of qualifications and continued competence is
in place;
(15) Mechanisms are in place for communication to the
Board of timely verification of an individual's certification status,
changes in certification status, and changes in the certification
program, including qualifications, test plan, and scope of practice;
and
(16) An evaluation process is in place to provide quality
assurance in the certification program.
|
