Recertification Application and General Information

CBUNA has adopted the definition of continuing competence as stated by ABSNC. Continuing competence is the ongoing commitment of a urology nurse or associate to integrate and apply the knowledge, skills, and judgment with the attitudes, values, and beliefs required to practice safely, effectively, and ethically in a designated role, patient population and/or setting.

To maintain competence and prevent professional obsolescence, the Certification Board requires that each CBUNA certificant participate in continuing education to refresh existing knowledge and skill and to acquire knowledge and proficiency pertaining to new advances.

The 3-year time period established for recertification is based on both the scope of issues that face urology nurses and associates and the Board’s belief that new practices, research, and information are introduced in the field with enough frequency that professional development activities should be conducted routinely so that certificants remain current with best practices and emerging knowledge.

Eligibility Requirements

Current licensure for RN, PA, LPN/LVN, NP or CNS Current CBUNA certification. Minimum of 800 hours of urological practice experience during the previous 3-year certification period. CBUNA recognizes 3 distinctive components of nursing practice: service, education, and research. Practice may be direct or indirect and include acute or long-term care, clinics/offices, home care/community health, surgery, education, research, and administration.

It is the policy of CBUNA that no individual shall be excluded from the opportunity to participate in the CBUNA certification program on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Eligibility Requirements Rationale: These requirements assure the following: must have achieved initial certification, 800 clinical practice hours is sufficient to maintain exposure to urologic practice, candidate meets all current legal requirements of their licensure, and 36 contacts hours over 3 years is sufficient to maintain current knowledge in the specialty of urology. The inclusion of nephrology as an associated area of knowledge is due to the interrelatedness of urological and nephrology conditions, e.g., obstructions caused by prostatic hypertrophy or stone disease can lead to hydronephrosis and kidney failure.

Options Available

A. Retake the Written Exam

The certification exam is now offered year-round at established testing centers across the country. Candidates, with the exception of the CUPA and CUCNS, may elect to re-test. The tests for CUAs and CURNs will be composed of 150 questions. The CUNP test will be composed of 175 items. A passing score must be attained to become recertified. If a candidate does not attain a passing score, the certification process must start anew as stated in the certification policy. The certification application, fee, and testing schedule is available at www.cbuna.org

B. Continuing Education

Education programs must be presented by an individual, state, or national organization accredited as a provider of continuing education. Education programs may be in any format including, but not limited to, courses, workshops, and independent study modules. With initial certification, contact hours may be accrued for certification renewal from the date of testing. If the certification examination is offered in conjunction with an education program, the continuing education credit offered after the exam may be used toward certification renewal.

Contact hours must be documented with copies of certificates of attendance at approved seminars or conference, copies of independent study modules, copies of published materials, presentations, or multimedia productions (i.e., video, audio tapes, or computer generated discs).

All continuing education certificates must include the following information: Name of attendee, activity title, date of activity, activity sponsor, accreditation statement and number of contact hours awarded. Verification of documentation is required only upon audit. Thirty-six (36) approved contact hours are required. The hours must have been earned in the last 3 years. All contact hours must be acceptable to the Board to continue certification.

Category A:

Urologic Health Care (minimum of 36 contact hours, maximum of 10 contact hours in nephrology topics).

The "Recertification Process" link contains a list of acceptable Category A activities necessary for you to apply for recertification through continuing education. Please review all materials, including examples, before you begin to complete the recertification application. Links to online form, downloadable application, recertification process, examples.

Recertification Scholarship Opportunities

SUNA Foundation Scholarship
The SUNA Foundation will provide reimbursement of recertification fees for the applicant successfully complying with CBUNA recertification criteria. Click here for more information.

Margaret Gott Scholarship
The Margaret Baran Gott Scholarship will provide reimbursement of recertification fees for the applicant successfully complying with CBUNA recertification criteria. Click here for more information.

Recertification Fees

The cost of recertification is:

  SUNA Member Nonmember
CUA $150 $245
CURN $180 $275
CUCNS/CUPA/CUNP $205 $300

Ten percent (10%) of recertification applications will be audited.