CNL Certification Examinations
Make 2025 Your Year for Professional Development
CNC’s Clinical Nurse Leader certification examinations are held quarterly. The computer-based exams are administered at Prometric SMT testing centers throughout the country. Once registered and confirmed, registrants receive an email two weeks before the beginning of the testing period to select their preferred testing center location, exam date, and time.
Here are the steps to earning your CNL certification.
- Download and review the CNL Exam Blueprint
- Register for an upcoming CNL Certification Examination
- Select your preferred testing location. See below.
- Prepare for the exam by:
- Reviewing the CNL Certification Exam Recommended Reading List
- Check out additional study resources.
- Gauge your knowledge by taking the CNL Practice Exam.
- Sit for the CNL Exam!
Upcoming CNL Certification Exams
Winter 2025
Jan. 20, 2025 – Feb. 7, 2025
Registration Deadline: Dec. 2, 2024- Late Deadline: Dec. 9. 2024
- Exam Change Deadline: Dec. 9, 2024
Spring 2025
Apr. 14, 2025 – May 9, 2025
Registration Deadline: Mar. 10, 2025
Late Deadline: Mar. 17, 2025
Exam Change Deadline: Mar. 17, 2025
Summer 2025
Jul. 14, 2025 – Aug 8, 2025
Registration Opens: May 15, 2025
Registration Deadline: Jun 9, 2025
Late Deadline: Jun 17, 2025
Exam Change Deadline: Jun 17, 2025
Fall 2025
Nov. 17, 2025 – Nov. 28, 2025
Registration Opens: Sep 15, 2025
Registration Deadline: Oct 20, 2025- Late Deadline: Oct 27, 2025
- Exam Change Deadline: Oct 27, 2025
Examination Fees
Initial Exam Fees (1st Time Applicant Only):
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- Regular Fee: $425
- Late Fee: $475
Retake Exam Fees
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- Initial Exam Fee: $325
- Retake Exam Fee: $375
