W. Va. Code R. § 19-7-4 - Criteria for Evaluation of APRN Certification Programs

4.1. The board shall determine whether a certification program may be used as a requirement for licensure of APRNs based upon the following standards:

4.1.a. The program is national in the scope of its credentialing.

4.1.b. Conditions for taking the certification examination are consistent with standards of the testing community.

4.1.c. Education requirements are consistent with the requirements of the advanced practice roles of Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife, Clinical Nurse Specialist or Nurse Practitioner and population foci of Family/Individual Across the Lifespan, Adult-Gerontology, Neonatal, Pediatrics, Women's Health/Gender, Psychiatric Mental Health, and other advanced practice roles that are nationally and Board recognized.

4.1.d. The standard methodologies used are acceptable to the testing community, such as incumbent job analysis studies and logical job analysis studies.

4.2. Certification programs are accredited by a national accreditation body as acceptable by the Board.

4.3. The examination represents entry-level practice in the APRN role and population foci that are intended to ensure minimal competencies for practice at an advanced level of nursing.

4.4. The examination represents the knowledge, skills and abilities essential for the delivery of safe and effective advanced nursing care to patients.

4.5. Examination items are reviewed for content validity, cultural bias and correct scoring using an established mechanism, both before use and periodically.

4.6. Examinations are evaluated for psychometric performance.

4.7. The passing standard is established using acceptable psychometric methods and is reevaluated periodically.

4.8. Examination security is maintained through established procedures.

4.9. Certification is issued based upon passing the examination and meeting all certification requirements.

4.10. A retake policy is in place.

4.11. A certification maintenance program, which includes review of qualifications and continued competence, is in place.

4.12. Mechanisms are in place for communication to the Board for timely verification of an individual's certification status, changes in certification status, and changes in the certification program, including qualifications, test plan and scope of practice.

4.13. An evaluation process is in place to provide quality assurance in its certification program.

4.14. The Board shall maintain an updated, publicly accessible list of approved certification organizations.

Notes

W. Va. Code R. § 19-7-4