The National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) Governance Board has voted to expand the CCHP-RN specialty certification program to include all licensed nurses.
While registered nurses bring unique expertise to correctional health care, the new CCHP-N credential recognizes the shared core knowledge required across all levels of nursing practice. This update reflects the increasingly essential role that licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) play in correctional settings—and in health care more broadly.
The change also aligns with NCCHC’s mission to elevate quality and professional practice across the field. It brings the nursing credential into alignment with other NCCHC specialty certifications, including CCHP-MH (which includes all qualified mental health professionals) and CCHP-CP (for NPs, PAs, and MD/DOs).
To ensure fairness and relevance, all CCHP-N exam questions have been thoroughly reviewed by the CCHP-RN Subcommittee to confirm they are appropriate for all levels of nursing licensure and within scope of practice.
Key Dates
- Testing before February 25
Registered nurses are eligible to take the current CCHP-RN exam. Upon passing, they will receive the CCHP-RN specialty credential, which will convert to CCHP-N upon renewal. Applications for CCHP-RN will remain open through February 17. - Testing February 25 and later
Only the CCHP-N exam will be offered, and all licensed nurses are eligible. Applications for CCHP-N are now open.
Current CCHP-RN study materials will carry over to the CCHP-N exam, with the exception of Correctional Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 3rd Edition. In addition, the CCHP-N exam will reference the 2026 NCCHC Standards.
“Correctional nurses—regardless of licensure—share a commitment to providing safe, ethical, and high-quality care in one of health care’s most challenging environments. Expanding this certification acknowledges the vital contributions of all nurses working in corrections and reinforces our belief that excellence in care is a shared professional responsibility,” said Matissa Sammons, NCCHC Vice President of Certification.
