How do I know if contact hours are from an approved provider?

This is usually printed, usually in small type towards the bottom of your certificate. It should give you the provider, accrediting company, and the number of contact hours. If the information is not available on the certificate, it may be available on the provider's website.

Do you want copies of my contact hour (CE) certificates?

No, do not upload copies of your CE certificates when you submit your application but please retain them in your records. If your application is selected for random audit, copies of your certificates will be requested at that time.

I have more than the 36 required contact hours, should I include them?

It is not necessary to include anything over 36 contact hours.

Can contact hours provided by my hospital count?

If your hospital is accredited by an approved provider, you can claim the contact hour. ALL hours must be urologic.

Are there websites that offer urologic-specific contact hours?

Yes, in fact there are many different sites. Some sites are free or charge a minimal fee. Other ANCC-approved providers also offer online/home study continuing education that may be appropriate for urologic credit. CBUNA does not endorse specific courses or commercial CE vendors. The following providers that designate any content as “urologic” does not mean the activity automatically qualifies for urologic credit. A few we suggest are: SUNA's Online Library at www.suna.org/library, myfreece.com, RN.com, ce.nurse.com, and www.practicingclinicians.com/index.php.

Can I access a record of contact hours I have earned through SUNA activities?

Yes, you can access and print a record/certificate of contact hours earned through SUNA in the SUNA Online Library at www.suna.org/library. Download instructions for accessing your NCPD record/certificate in the SUNA Online Library.

I plan on retiring, can I keep my CBUNA certification?

Yes, but you must be currently certified, and request retired status in writing prior to the date of recertification. No fee will be charged and no contact hours are required.

How early can I apply for recertification?

You can submit your recertification application on June 1 of the year that your certification expires.

How late can I send in my recertification application?

You have until December 31 to submit the online recertification application. 

Can I request an extension for recertification?

Yes, after December 31 of the recertification period, CBUNA will accept late recertification applications from January 1 through March 31. Use of the CBUNA credential during the extension (grace period) is prohibited. Late fees apply. No applications will be accepted after the extension (grace period) ends.

What would happen if I let my certification lapse?

You lose your right to use the credentials. And you must take the certification exam again in order to gain CBUNA certification.

Who should I contact if I have any questions about certification or recertification?

Contact the CBUNA National Office with any questions at cbuna@cbuna.org or 202-591-2470.

Strategic Plan Goals:

MA Standards – Establish minimal evidence clinical competencies for MAs and define tasks beyond scope of practice to increase patient safety outcomes by creating a position statement.
Chairs: Hillary Durstein, MSN, APRN-C, CUNP and Beth Ebner, BSN, RN, CURN

Patient Education - Develop and disseminate education for patients.
Chair: Jennifer Delegee, BSN, RN, CWOCN

Urology RN Value - Make the business case for the role of the Urology RN and promote the role of the RN in the development of staff competencies, training, and education by creating a position statement.
Chairs: TBD

Volunteering for CBUNA is both personally rewarding and a prestigious opportunity for your own career advancement. Openings for CBUNA committees or short-term task forces are announced via email and the CBUNA website as they become available. Please complete and submit the CBUNA Willingness to Serve Form to cbuna@cbuna.org to indicate your interest in CBUNA volunteer opportunities.

Download the Willingness to Serve [Word]

Download the Willingness to Serve [PDF]

Committee for the Practice Analysis

The committee is comprised of a Chair, CBUNA Board members, and other volunteers who are CBUNA certified but not members of the Board. The committee is chosen for the specific exam level, utilizing a variety of clinical experiences, practice settings and represent a diverse geographical background. These members present with strong communication and leadership skills who work in conjunction with the testing agency to develop a list of activities, demographic data and knowledge, skills and abilities that are the basis for the Practice Analysis/Role Delineation survey tool. Following data collection, the task force reviews the survey results and makes recommendations for the test specifications. The practice analysis also delineates and differentiates the roles of the NP from the registered nurse. Most importantly, a practice analysis is performed every five years to be sure the test reflects current practice and is kept up to date.

Committee for Test Development

This committee is comprised of a Chair, CBUNA Board members, and other volunteers who are CBUNA certified but not members of the Board. The committee is chosen for the specific exam level, utilizing a variety of clinical experiences, practice settings and represent a diverse geographic background. Members of the Test Development Committee are considered “content experts” concerning the knowledge and skills needed by urologic specific level for safe practice.  These members present with strong communication and leadership skills and work in conjunction with the testing agency to develop and write test questions to meet the CBUNA blueprint requirements.

Each question on the test can be linked directly to the tasks/activities in the practice analysis survey. The test committee meets in person to review, evaluate, and write test questions. To be certain that the test content is accurate, all questions are supported, using the most recent edition of the SUNA Core Curriculum for Urologic Nursing and/or other references as recommended in the section online entitled” Suggested Reading Material.”

The test consists of 175 questions that match the test blueprint. Some of the questions are new experimental or “pilot” questions that are not scored.  Pilot testing of new questions allows for the evaluation of questions to determine if they are valid before they become scored questions.

Committee to Set the Passing Standard (Angoff)

This committee is comprised of a Chairman and at least five CBUNA certificants, appropriate for the specific exam level. Members of this committee possess strong communication and leadership skills and serve as subject matter experts (SMEs). These members are geographically diverse with a wide variety of clinical experiences, practice settings and years of practice. This committee works in conjunction with the testing agency to develop the passing score of the newly developed examination using the Angoff procedure. During the Angoff procedure, each test question is reviewed to determine its level of difficulty. The passing score is determined based on the SME panel’s estimation of the level of difficulty required to identify individuals who have an acceptable level of knowledge and skill. Therefore, each candidate’s test score is measured against a predetermined standard, not against the performance of other test takers.

These texts may be ordered from the publisher or from a local medical bookstore. They may be available in your hospital or medical library. It is not suggested that you purchase all of these texts.

Study Texts

American Urological Association. (2017). Guidelines at-a-glance: A quick reference for urologists – 2017. Retrieved from http://www.auanet.org/guidelines

Gomella, L. (Ed.). (2014). The 5-minute urology consult (3rd Ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

Hanno, P., & Wein, A. (2014). Penn clinical manual of urology (2nd Ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.

Lajiness, M., & Quallich, S. (Eds.). (2016). The nurse practitioner in urology. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing.

Maternik, M., Krzeminska, K., & Zurowska, A. (2015). The management of childhood urinary incontinence. Pediatric Nephrology ,30, p 41–50. DOI 10.1007/s00467-014-2791-x
McAninch, J.W., & Lue, T.F. (2013). Smith & Tanagho’s general urology (18th Ed.). New York, NY: Lange

Medical Books/McGraw-Hill Medical Publishing Division.

Newman, D.K., Wyman, J.F., & Welch, V.W. (Eds.). (2016). Core curriculum for urologic nursing. Pitman, NJ: Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA).

Skidmore-Roth, L. (Ed.). (2016). Mosby’s 2016 nursing drug reference (29th Ed.). St. Louis: Elsevier Mosby.

Additional References

Urologic Nursing, the Official Journal of the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates. Join SUNA or Subscribe

CBUNA Links with Health Care Industry and Organizations to Promote Excellence in Education

The Certification Board for Urologic Nurses and Associates (CBUNA) has expanded its mission to include the promotion of excellence in the clinical education/training programs offered by the health care industry and organizations (hereafter referred to as corporations).

In response to an identified need from corporations to achieve recognition of their industry associates as having completed an educationally sound program accredited by an external, non-biased organization, CBUNA designed and created an accreditation process. The process is divided into three stages.

In the initial stage, CBUNA reviews the educational program that has been designed and implemented by the corporation seeking accreditation. The Board specifically seeks to ensure that the program is educationally sound, reflects current standards for safe clinical practice, and offers a balanced presentation of all diagnostic or treatment modalities for specific clinical conditions or disorders. Based on results of the review, the corporation’s educators are provided an opportunity to revise any content that does not meet these criteria. Following revision, the educational program is reviewed by the Board for final approval.

The second phase of the process is a review of the testing materials used by the corporation. Testing materials need to encompass the range of content presented in the program. Ideally, the testing material is comprised of multiple-choice questions. There is no minimum number of questions required, but there should be enough to adequately test the material presented. There also needs to be a sufficient number of questions that the corporation can vary for different classes, ensuring that successful completion of the test reflects mastery of the content covered in its educational program. The Board will consult closely with the corporation seeking accreditation to establish a fair and standardized testing procedure and to provide advice regarding standards for testing, and for test security as needed.

The final phase of the accreditation process is a site visit by a member of CBUNA. This visit ensures compliance with the educational and testing process, and serves as an opportunity for the educational department of the corporation to review questions related to the process of accreditation.

The duration of accreditation is a period of 3 years. At that time the corporation is offered the opportunity for re-accreditation. This process allows the corporation to review and to update its educational materials and testing procedures to reflect current standards.

CBUNA is pleased to collaborate with corporations to strengthen their educational and testing programs for industry associates. We strongly believe this program benefits corporations, CBUNA, and most importantly, the patient who is assured competent care delivery from an industry associate who has completed a testing process demonstrating mastery of these skills and knowledge.

A nonrefundable fee of $2,000 will be required before the board begins work to evaluate a new program. This amount will be applied to the $7,500 fee. Accreditation fee to be paid in full prior to scheduling a site visit.

If you have questions or are interested in pursuing accreditation, please reach out to the CBUNA office at cbuna@cbuna.org or 202-591-2470.