OAR 851-050-0008
Criteria for Evaluating Nurse Practitioner National Certification Examinations
(1)
The certification program is national in its scope of credentialing.(2)
Conditions for taking the 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)
Educational requirements include completion of a graduate level advanced practice education program of study in the area of nursing certification.(4)
Educational requirements are consistent with a Board recognized advanced practice role and population foci and include a minimum of 500 hours of supervised clinical practice.(5)
Certification examinations meet the criteria of the National Commission on Certifying Agencies or the American Board of Nursing Specialties.(6)
The examination represents entry-level practice in the nurse practitioner role and population focus.(7)
The certification program demonstrates and maintains an established process of secure communication with the Board of Nursing.(8)
The examination represents the knowledge, skills and abilities for safe and effective advanced nursing care based upon incumbent job analysis and logical job analysis studies.(9)
Examination items are reviewed for content validity, cultural bias and correct scoring using an established mechanism, both before use and periodically.(10)
The passing standard is established using acceptable psychometric methods, and is re-evaluated periodically.(11)
Examinations are evaluated for psychometric performance.(12)
Examination security is maintained through established procedures.(13)
Certification is issued based upon meeting all certification requirements and passing the examination.(14)
A re-take policy is in place.(15)
The certification program has mechanisms in place for communication to Boards of Nursing in a timely manner when individuals are certified, recertified, when there is a change in certification status; and when there are changes in the certification program including qualifications, test plan, and scope of practice.(16)
A certification maintenance program, which includes review of qualifications and continued competence is in place.(17)
The Board has a secure mechanism for timely verification of an individual’s certification status, changes in certification status, and changes in the certification program requirements including qualifications, test plan and scope of practice; and(18)
An evaluation process is in place to provide quality assurance in the certification program.
Source:
Rule 851-050-0008 — Criteria for Evaluating Nurse Practitioner National Certification Examinations, https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/view.action?ruleNumber=851-050-0008.