CERTIFICATION CRITERIA
Certification is a voluntary mechanism for validating professional
knowledge and expertise in a specialty. In contrast to licensure, which assures the
public of safe practice at a beginning level, certification reflects specialty practice
and knowledge at a proficient level. By meeting the challenge of certification, the
certified individual has made a commitment to a specialty and to continued professional
growth and development. Certification is recognized by employers and peers as an
achievement and leads to employment opportunities, advancement, and professional
prestige.
ABOHN uses the definition of occupational and environmental health nursing
and the standards of practice, in addition to other criteria, to determine eligibility for
certification. The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (AAOHN)
establishes the definition and standards of specialty practice. The entire document
is available from AAOHN at Suite 100, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146.
Telephone (770) 455-7757 or (800) 241-8014.
AAOHN
Standards of Practice Document
*******************Eligibility criteria for
COHN and COHN-S exams effective immediately*******************
Criteria |
COHN |
COHN-S |
RN Licensure |
Required |
Required |
| Education |
None specified |
Must have Bachelor's Degree or higher |
| Work
Experience in OH |
3,000 hours in occupational health in the past
five years; or
a completion of a certificate program in
occupational health nursing for academic credit.
|
3,000 hours in occupational health in the past
five years; or
a completion of a certificate program in
occupational health nursing for academic credit; or
a completion of a graduate level of education with
a concentration in occupational health.
|
| Continuing
Education in OH |
None required |
None required |
ABOUT COHN AND COHN-S CERTIFICATION
After the eligibility requirements have been met the candidate is
required to achieve a passing score on the national examination. Upon successful
completion of the examination, a certificate is issued that states that the candidate has
met the standards for board certification as a Certified Occupational Health Nurse or
Certified Occupational Health Nurse-Specialist and either the COHN or COHN-S credentials
are awarded. Only those nurses who have met all of the criteria and have been
successful on the examination are in ACTIVE status are entitled to use these credentials.
*********************************************************************Effective
immediately*********************************************************
RECRUIT A COLLEAGUE FOR CERTIFICATION
Do you want to encourage another Occupational Health Nurse through the process
of certification and at the same time reduce the cost of your recertification for that
effort?
Any Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN) or Certified Occupational Health
Nurse-Specialist (COHN-S) can recruit another registered nurse (RN) working in
occupational health through the process.
Instruct the person sitting for the examination to note on the application that
you are the referring nurse. Only one referring nurse can be noted per
application. At the end of the year, there will be a random drawing to select a
winner. The prize for the recruiter will be:
- a $100 reduction of your next recertification fee;
- and recognition at our annual reception.
Recognition for all referral will be included in the ABOHN Newsletter.
Free Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) is available on the Web at these sites:
ABOUT THE EXAMINATION
To achieve COHN or COHN-S certification,
eligible candidates must be successful on a 150-question multiple choice computer based
examination. The examinations are offered at more than 150 sites throughout the
United States.
Candidates have three hours to complete the examination.
The examinations are developed and revised by the Board of Directors in consultation
with a professional examination service. Examination questions are written by a
panel of certified occupational health nurses, are edited by experts in testing and
evaluation, and are approved by the Board. The examination content is based on the
results of research designed to identify the tasks and knowledge required to practice in
the specialty of occupational health nursing. This method has resulted in a valid
and highly reliable examination.
For a list of examination sites use
this hyperlink http://www.goamp.com.
When you reach the site click on "Candidates", then click on
"Healthcare" and then click on "American Board for Occupational Health
Nurses".
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
ABOHN certification examinations are approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
You can receive up to $2,000 per test but not more that the actual cost of the
tests. You can receive benefits to retake a test you failed. The number of
tests you can take is unlimited, except that you cannot receive benefits to retake a test
you passed.
You have 10 years after your discharge from active duty to use your benefits. To
find out if you might be eligible under any of these programs, check this site, www.gibill.va.gov.
PREPARING FOR THE EXAMINATION
ABOHN does not offer courses to prepare for the examination. Several
organizations and educational institutions have developed courses and materials to assist
individuals in becoming certified. The Board compiles an Education Resource Guide
listing of many of these programs that offer content to prepare for the examination and
this listing is mailed to candidates who have been accepted for examination. ABOHN
neither recommends nor endorses any specific course. The final application packet is
comprehensive and includes a suggested reference list, sources of continuing education and
sample questions.
RETAINING CERTIFICATION
Part of the examination fee covers the cost of the successful
candidate's first year of certification maintenance. Credential holders are billed
for the certification maintenance fee for the remaining four years of their five-year
certification period at the time they pass the examination. To maintain the
COHN/COHN-S certification, certificants must continue to meet the eligibility
requirements, recertify every five years, and pay the associated. fees. (See
Recertification information for details.)
Categories of Certification
How to Get Recertified
Application/Job Codes/Recertification Forms
Credit Card Processing Request Form
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