Candidates who pass the Certified Bariatric Nurse (CBN) Examination will earn a credential valid for four years.
To maintain certification, recertification must be completed before the credential expires. Recertification ensures ongoing competence, which includes the ability to apply knowledge, skills, and ethical judgment in practice.
If recertification is not completed before the expiration date, the credential will expire, the individual’s registry number will be retired, and they will no longer be allowed to use the CBN designation. Those who complete recertification within one year after expiration can avoid retaking the exam, with their credential renewed for another four years from the original expiration date. After that, they must retake the exam to regain certification.
Review the Recertification section of the 2024-2025 CBN Handbook for to find additional information.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Before applying for the CBN Recertification, the following eligibility criteria must be satisfied:
- Be currently licensed as a Professional Nurse (RN) in one of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico.
- A valid license number must be entered when applying online.
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) are not eligible to sit for the examination.
- Complete a minimum of 24 months (within the preceding 4 years) of nursing care of patients with severe obesity and bariatric surgery patients, predominantly in the Bariatric surgery process. (i.e.: preoperative, peri- operative or postoperative/follow up care).
- This may include an RN who serves in a practice role that includes but is not limited to educational, administrative, leadership, quality, or advanced practice serving the bariatric population.
- The CBN committee will review eligibility when there is a question.
- Adhere to the CBN Certification Standards of Conduct.
- Candidates are required to confirm acceptance of a statement on the application form that they understand violations of the CBN Standards of Conduct may result in loss of eligibility for the CBN certification.
- Adhere to the ASMBS Code of Ethics.
- Eligibility for the CBN Examination requires adherence to the ASMBS Code of Ethics. Candidates are required to confirm acceptance of a statement on the application form that they understand violations of the ASMBS Code of Ethics may result in loss of eligibility for the CBN certification.
- Additionally, candidates must submit information showing achievement of a CBN Re-Certification method. There are currently two re-certification methods available:
Option 1: Re-testing (re-take and pass the CBN exam)
Option 2: Continuing Education/Professional Development
Please see the CBN Candidate Handbook for the specific details regarding professional development activities.
Regardless of the chosen re-certification method, all re-certification activities must take place within the 48 months preceding the expiration of certification.
All recertification applications will be completed online at cbn.learningbuilder.com and reviewed for approval by the CBN Recertification Subcommittee. Reviews with this new system will be processed when complete, however some applications may require committee review which is conducted at least quarterly. To avoid a lapse in certification, it is highly recommended that the recertification application be submitted as early as possible.
Get Started
Click the link below to begin complete your CBN Re-Certification.
https://cbn.learningbuilder.com
Questions? Email: CBN@LearningBuilder.com