Frequently Asked Questions

For a registered nurse who is practicing as a life care planner, is there reciprocity for the Certified Nurse Life Care Planner certification?
In 2010, the CNLCP® Certification Board developed a focused route whereby you could qualify for reciprocity without sitting for the CNLCP® examination. To qualify, you would need to: complete the initial application; provide a copy of your current RN license and your current Life Care Planner Certification (CLCP); submit two letters of reference, verifying your life care planning work experience for at least 2 years immediately preceding the submission of the application. Further, you would submit an application fee of $425.00 for AANLCPSM members and $625.00 for non-members. If these criteria are met, reciprocity will be granted. For the application and criteria, go to the 'Initial Certification Process' page on this website.

What if I missed the deadline for recertification?
You have an extension of up to 30 days after your deadline for renewal to submit all the required criteria and application for recertification. Aside from the renewal fee (AANLCPSM members $375.00/non-members $575.00), an additional late fee of $200.00 is due. Total for a late filing would be either members $575.00 or non-members $775.00.

What if I missed the additional 30 day late extension for recertification?
If you missed the additional 30 day late extension, you will have to retest. There will be a certification test fee of $425.00 for members AANLCPSM and 625.00 for non-members.

If I have to retest for recertification, do I need to submit a redacted Life Care Plan sample?
No, you would not have to resubmit a redacted Life Care Plan if you have met the initial criteria for certification in the past.

What if I come up short of the required 60 hours of Continuing Education (CE) credits related to life care planning at the time of my recertification renewal?
If you are short of the required 60 hours of CE required every five years at time of recertification renewal, you will have to retest. There will be a certification test fee of $425.00 for members AANLCPSM and $625.00 for non-members.

How can I earn additional CE credits if my certification is about to expire and there are no conferences for CEU offered before it expires?
The primary goal of the CNLCP® Certification Board is to achieve the desired ends per the 2008 AANLCPSM Membership Survey for ABNS accreditation. This process will require an enormous undertaking that includes developing and expanding the test questions with evidence based nursing supported answers for the CNLCP examination. You can earn 1 CE hour for every 5 questions supported by evidence based nursing/medical references for a maximum of 10 CE hours per 5 year renewal period. Questions with research supported reference answers should be submitted directly to the Certification Board Test Question Development Chair April Pettengill at april@alpmedicalconsultants.com.

What are my options if I am out of country serving active military duty?
If you are unable to recertify in a timely manner due to out of country active military service, the CNLCP® Certification Board will review your circumstance for a deferred application in consideration of fulfillment of your military duty. Assuming that as a nurse your license remains in good standing and you have completed the necessary recertification requirements, your late recertification may be accepted if the reason is due to out of country active military service. Requirements would include: unrestricted nursing license, completion of 60 CE credits with documentation, recertification application completed, and fee payment of $375.00 AANLCPSM member or $575.00 non-member. No retesting will be required and the late fee will be waived if all requirements per the CNLCP recertification process are met. Documents supporting your circumstance must accompany any request for consideration of late recertification.

For additional questions, contact the CNLCP® Certification Board, email the Chair Glenda Evans-Shaw at glenda@suttercreek.com