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Aesthetic Certifications

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FAQ: Aesthetic Certifications for Registered Nurses & Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

 

Definitions: Certificate vs. Certification and Certified

Though Certificate and Certification appear to carry similar meaning, there is a difference between certificate and certification.

A Certificate is a piece of paper or diploma awarded after the successful completion of an educational or vocational training, usually by an institution or vendor. A Certificate can be obtained after a learning process. A Certificate of attendance or completion does not convey mastery.

Certification is approving a professional for their eligibility for a role by an authority. Certification is evidence of mastery of knowledge and skills, such as national standards, by passing an exam. The Certification requires ongoing continuing education and demonstration of competence in the specialty field. Certification is gained after an assessment process for the Licensee that meets the requirement of the certifying body. A licensee with a certification can be said to be certified. Certification is the process of certifying professionals, for their eligibility, quality, or standards after a standardized process of evaluation. A Certification  program is designed to test the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform a particular job, and, upon successfully passing a certification exam, to represent a declaration of a particular individual’s professional competence. In some professions, such as Nursing, Certification is a requirement for employment or practice, such as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). The Certification is usually done by a nationally recognized standard setting body, for instance, the American Nurses Credentialling Center (ANCC). For certification, a professional may also need to have experience for a stated number of years in order to be eligible to be considered for certification, or to be precepted, or mentored by another Certified licensee. A certification results in credentials that can be used after a professional’s name, such as CCRN. This usually requires maintaining ongoing demonstration of skills standards or continuing education.

 

 

 

See below for Statute/Rule/Defintitions and List of Certifications.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NM BON 16.12.1.7.C NMAC: Definitions:

                          (1)        “certificate”, means a legal document granting permission to an unlicensed person to perform specific functions considered the practice of nursing;

                        (2)        “certificate of completion”, means a piece of paper or diploma awarded after the completion of an educational or vocational training. A certificate of attendance or completion does not convey mastery and is often followed by clinical demonstration to confirm knowledge transfer; the presence of a certificate alone does not mean certification or certified.

                        (3)        “certification”, means approving a professional for their eligibility for a role by an authority; it is evidence of mastery of knowledge and skills, such as national standards, by passing an exam or meeting industry standards; it requires ongoing continuing education and demonstration of competence in the specialty field; a licensee with a certification can be said to be certified.

 

NM BON 16.12.2.11.H   NMAC:         STANDARDS OF NURSING PRACTICE:

  1. H. Standards for professional registered nursing practice. Registered nurses practice in accordance with the definition of professional registered nursing in the NPA.  Subsection J of Section 61-3-3 NMSA 1978.

                        (1)        RNs may assume specific functions and perform specific procedures which are beyond basic nursing preparation for professional registered nursing Subsection J of Section 61-3-3 NMSA 1978 provided the knowledge and skills required to perform the function and procedure emanates from a recognized body of knowledge and practice of nursing, and the function or procedure is not prohibited by any law or statute:

                                    (a)        emerging functions and procedures that do not emanate from a nursing body of knowledge will require national certification from a recognized body to denote mastery and assess competency as the RN is recognized as being certified;

                                    (b)        certificates of course completion are not evidence of mastery nor evidence of competency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The information presented below was accessed on 4/30/2024. Licensees should do their own review of their options for certification as the information provided can change at any time. It is presented as a courtesy by the NM Board of Nursing. The NM Board of Nursing is not liable for any changes in these certification or certification processes. Licensees must complete their own due diligence. The veracity of a certification that is not administered by a nationally-recognized board can also change without notice.

 

 

Registered Nurse Certifications:

 

Certification/Description

Organization

Requirements

Certification

Cost

Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS)

The Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS) credential is a specialty certification for aesthetic and cosmetic nurses as opposed to plastic surgery or dermatology.

 

https://psncb.org

 

1. A current and unrestricted registered nursing license

2. 1,000 practice hours in core specialties during the last two years

3. Two years of RN experience and currently working within the four core specialties WITH

a board-certified physician in one of the core specialties

OR

a CANS-certified NP whose certification is current/in good standing           

AND                 

A letter of recommendation from the MD or NP (CANS-certified) you are practicing with

3 years

$400 ISPAN members

$495           Non-members

Medical Esthetics Practitioner Certified (MEP-C)

 

 

Exam content are as follows:

Neurotoxins

Dermal fillers

Lasers

PRP for Cosmetic use

Sclerotherapy

Skin rejuvenation (Microdermabrasion/Chemical peel)

Mesotherapy/Lipodissolve/Kybella

Professional/Legal issues

 

 

This credential is not affiliated with a nationally-recognized credentialing/certification board.

 

 

https://www.esiw.com/medical-esthetics-practitioner

 

 

1. Current licensure in the U.S. or Canada as an RN or APRN. Other disciplines MD/DO, DDS, PA are eligible.

2. You must have had either 2000 hours of documented work experience in a two-year period in the administration of both neurotoxins and dermal fillers

OR

documentation of 1000 hours of work experience in a one year period in the administration of both neurotoxins and dermal fillers and successful completion of a formal training course of at least 8 hours in each neurotoxins and dermal filler course.

3. Application to sit for examination must be completed along with providing appropriate documentation of the required hours of practice. This documentation can include a notarized letter from your supervising/collaborating physician (if required by your state) or your medical director regarding the hours of practice.

4. Copies of certificates of training for each of the above (8 hours of education) must be provided in addition to the notarized letter from your physician (if you are using the 1000 and one year  experience requirement.

5 years

$300 initial

 

$175 renewal

Certified Plastic Surgery Nurse (CPSN)

 

The Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board (PSNCB) offers this certification for RNs in the aesthetic and cosmetic industry. However, it is not limited to those that perform injectables. It covers four core specialties, which include:

Plastic/aesthetic surgery                          Facial plastic surgery           Dermatology                    Ophthalmology

https://psncb.org

 

Be currently licensed as a Registered Nurse in the United States, its territories or Canada, holding a current full and unrestricted license.
Have a minimum of two (2) years of plastic surgical nursing experience as a registered nurse for at least three (3) years prior to application,

and
Have spent at least 1,000 practice hours in plastic surgical nursing during two (2) of the preceding three (3) years.
Be currently working in the field of plastic surgical nursing and in collaboration with a plastic surgeon, oculoplastic surgeon, or facial plastic surgeon (ENT) who is board certified in ophthalmology, burn care, plastic surgery or facial plastic surgery who holds a current full and unrestricted license.

3 years

$400 ISPAN members

$495 Non-members

Dermatology Nurse Certified (DNC)

The DNC certification emphasizes dermatology-related procedures and skills.

https://www.dnanurse.org

 

1. Have a minimum of 2 years of dermatology nursing experience as a RN.

2. Hold a current and unrestricted license as a RN in the U.S. or Canada.

3. Have a minimum of 2,000 hours of work experience in dermatology nursing within the past 2 years .

3 years

DNA Member: $260

DNA Non-Member: $335

 

 

 

 

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Certifications:

 

Certification/Description

Organization

Requirements

Certification

Cost

Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS)

The Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS) credential is a specialty certification for aesthetic and cosmetic nurses as opposed to plastic surgery or dermatology.

 

https://psncb.org

 

 

 

1. Be currently licensed as a Nurse Practitioner or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in the United States holding a current full and unrestricted license.
2. Have spent at least 1,000 practice hours within the core specialties during the last two (2) years.
3. Have a minimum of two (2) years of nursing experience as an RN within the four Core Specialties in collaboration or in a practice with an MD that is board Certified within a core specialty or a NP who is CANS certified and whose CANS certification is in good standing.                                                                           

4. Collaborative practice: Be currently working in collaboration or in a practice with an MD that is Board Certified within one of the following specialties: Plastic/Aesthetic Surgery, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Cosmetic Surgery or Facial Plastic Surgery (ENT)

or a NP who is CANS certified.
Have your collaborating core MD or NP who is CANS certified, who holds a current full and unrestricted license, provide a letter of recommendation.
If the applicant does not work in collaboration with a Board Certified Core physician, they must provide a screenshot of their State or Provincial Board’s Scope of Practice verifying that they do not need a supervising physician or allows a Nurse Practitioner as their supervisor or are able to practice independently.
5. Independent Practice: If the NP practices independently, they must have an MD who they refer patients to and provide a letter of recommendation from this MD; OR Have a letter of recommendation from a Nurse Practitioner who is CANS certified.

3 years

$400 ISPAN members

$495 Non-members

Medical Esthetics Practitioner Certified (MEP-C)

 

Exam content are as follows:

Neurotoxins

Dermal fillers

Lasers

PRP for Cosmetic use

Sclerotherapy

Skin rejuvenation (Microdermabrasion/Chemical peels)

Mesotherapy/Lipodissolve/Kybella

Professional/Legal issues

 

 

This credential is not affiliated with a nationally-recognized credentialing/certification board.

 

 

https://www.esiw.com/medical-esthetics-practitioner

 

 

 

1. Current licensure in the U.S. or Canada as an APRN. Other disciplines MD/DO, DDS, PA are eligible.

2. You must have had either 2000 hours of documented work experience in a two-year period in the administration of both neurotoxins and dermal fillers

OR

documentation of 1000 hours of work experience in a one year period in the administration of both neurotoxins and dermal fillers and successful completion of a formal training course of at least 8 hours in each neurotoxins and dermal filler course.

3. Application to sit for examination must be completed along with providing appropriate documentation of the required hours of practice. This documentation can include a notarized letter from your supervising/collaborating physician (if required by your state) or your medical director regarding the hours of practice..

4. Copies of certificates of training for each of the above (8 hours of education) must be provided in addition to the notarized letter from your physician (if you are using the 1000 and one year  experience requirement).

5 years

$300 initial

 

$175 renewal

Certified Plastic Surgery Nurse (CPSN)

The Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board (PSNCB) offers this certification for NPs in the aesthetic and cosmetic industry. However, it is not limited to those that perform injectables. It covers four core specialties, which include:

Plastic/aesthetic surgery   

Facial plastic surgery

Dermatology

Ophthalmology

https://psncb.org

 

1. Be currently licensed as a Registered Nurse in the United States holding a current full and unrestricted license.
2. Have a minimum of two (2) years of plastic surgical nursing experience as a RN in a general staff, administrative, teaching, or research capacity for at least three (3) years prior to application, and
3. Have spent at least 1,000 practice hours in plastic surgical nursing during two (2) of the preceding three (3) years.
4. Be currently working in the field of plastic surgical nursing and in collaboration with a plastic surgeon, oculoplastic surgeon (ophthalmologist) or facial plastic surgeon (ENT) who is board certified in ophthalmology, burn care, plastic surgery or facial plastic surgery who holds a current full and unrestricted license.

 

 

Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner (DCNP): If you’re an NP specializing in dermatology, the DCNP certification may be a good fit for you.

 

https://www.dnpcb.org

 

1. To be eligible to sit for the Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner (DCNP) exam, candidates must meet the following requirements:

-Masters or Doctoral degree in nursing

-Current NP state licensure

-National certification as a NP

2. Minimum of 3,000 hours of recent dermatology NP practice (within the last 3 years) with current practice in dermatology (hours obtained from a formal dermatology NP academic program count towards the 3,000 hours).

3 years

DNPCB Member

$400