Certification / Exam Information
Examination Description
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 200 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.
- Select appropriate strategies to meet the education, health promotion, and psycho-socio-cultural needs of dermatology patients, their significant others, and the community.
- Plan, administer (or assist others to administer), and monitor the medical, surgical, and phototherapeutic interventions for patients with dermatologic disorders.
- Coordinate care to ensure safe, efficient delivery of high-quality dermatology care, in collaboration with other health care providers and community resources.
Content Areas of the Examination
By Dermatology Nursing Practice Area:
- General Dermatology - 55%
- Surgical Dermatology - 30%
- Phototherapy - 15%
By Patient Problem Area:
- Infections - 15%
- Tumors/Malignancies - 15%
- Dermatitis - 13%
- Papulosquamous Disorders - 13%
- Photosensitivity/Photodamage - 9%
- Hypersensitivities/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%
DNC Patient Problem List (pdf)
To obtain an application contact:
Dermatology Nurse Certification Program
c/o C-NET
601 Pavonia Avenue, Suite 201
Jersey City, NJ 07306
Phone: 800.463.0786
Fax: 201.217.9785
Cost: $175 -- DNA Member, $250 -- Nonmember
