Certification
One way for hospice and palliative care professionals to recognize our expertise is through certification. This involves a process that validates and evaluates one’s expertise in a specialty area. While licensure assures minimal competency to practice in a field, certification indicates mastery of a defined body of knowledge.
The Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC) offers specialty certification to hospice and palliative nurses, and other members of the interdisciplinary team. We currently offer six hospice and palliative certification exams for advanced practice nurses, registered nurses, pediatric hospice and palliative nurses, licensed/vocational nurses, nursing assistants, and social workers. We also maintain the certified hospice and palliative care administrator and the certified in perinatal loss care credentials. Nearly 14,500 health care professionals hold HPCC credentials that establish a professional commitment to safe, ethical, and evidence-based care. Find out more about our credentials below.
Our Credentials
Maintained Through Recertification
Latest News
-
HPCC Announces Keisha Davidson, MBA, ICE-CCP, as Director of Credentialing
The Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC) is pleased to announce Keisha Davidson, MBA, ICE-CCP, as the new Director of Credentialing. In her role, Keisha will provide direction to HPCC’s eight credentialing programs, manage the organization’s strategic initiatives, and monitor adherence to its accreditation standards.
-
Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center Announces 2025 Board of Directors
The Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC) is proud to introduce its 2025 Board of Directors: Kristin Akers, Grady Barnhill, Susan Cox, Joseph Ebberwein, Lawrence Fabrey, Jacklyn Griffin, Nicole Martin, Alicia Murray, Arden O’Donnell, and LaDonna Wright.
Quick Links
- Why Certification?
- Role Delineation
- Continuing Competence
- LearningBuilder
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging
Testing Windows and Deadlines
- December 1 – Application Start Date
- February 15 – Online Application Deadline
- March 1 – Application Start Date
- May 15 – Online Application Deadline
- June 1 – Application Start Date
- August 15 – Online Application Deadline
- September 1 – Application Start Date
- November 15 – Online Application Deadline
reTEST Assured Program
Taking an examination can be stressful, and while the majority of our candidates are successful on the first try, some are not. To relieve a bit of stress, HPCC has implemented the reTEST Assured Program, which offers any candidate who was unsuccessful, the opportunity to retake an exam for $125. The reTEST Assured Program must be used in one of the three test windows immediately following the exam window in which the candidate was unsuccessful. Learn more here or send your questions to hpcc@gohpcc.org.
Scholarships
The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation (HPNF) provides scholarships to nurses nationwide to cover the cost of certification fees and are valid for those earning a new Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC) certification or those who are renewing their current HPCC certification. HPNF accepts applications on an ongoing basis.
Certification Verification Tool
This is a free resource created to assist those looking to verify a professional’s HPCC certification status. Names of individuals currently certified by HPCC are available through the link below.