To distinguish associates, RNs and NPs who possess expert knowledge, experience, and skill in managing the health needs of urology patients, the Certification Board for Urologic Nurses and Associates (CBUNA) offers three specialty certifications in urology:
- Certified Urologic Associate (CUA)
- Certified Urologic Registered Nurse (CURN®)
- Certified Urologic Nurse Practitioner (CUNP®)

You must meet all eligibility requirements prior to submitting your application for the certification exam. This varies depending on which exam you are interested in. No individual shall be excluded from the opportunity to participate in the CBUNA certification process on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Certified Urologic Associate
U.S Eligibility Criteria
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN):
The following criteria must be met:
- The applicant must hold a current license as a practical/ vocational nurse in the United States, or its territories.
- The applicant must have 1 year of experience as an LPN/LVN in urology nursing practice.
Other Associates:
The following criteria must be met:
- The applicant must have completed an accredited training program and one year of practice in the field of urology (or)
- The applicant must have completed three (3) years of in-service training under the supervision of a practicing urologist or Nurse Practitioner (NP) with a letter of verification from the urologist or NP.
International Eligibility Criteria
The following criteria must be met:
- The applicant must have completed a state approved educational program and the practice requirements as stated above.
- Examination provided in English only.
- CBUNA reserves the right to review transcripts of the nursing/ training education program to determine eligibility.
Certified Urologic Registered Nurse
U.S Eligibility Criteria
The following criteria must be met:
- The applicant must have completed a nationally accredited nursing educational program.
- The applicant must have completed (2) years working as a Registered Nurse (RN) with a minimum of 800 clinical practice hours of providing patient care to urologic patients within the last three (3) years.
- The applicant must hold a current active, unrestricted professional license in the U.S. or its territories.
International Eligibility Criteria
The following criteria must be met:
- The applicant must have completed a state approved educational program and the practice requirements as stated above.
- The applicant must hold a license/registration as a first level general nurse.
- The examination is provided in English only.
- CBUNA reserves the right to review transcripts of the nursing education program to determine eligibility.
Certified Urologic Nurse Practitioner
U.S Eligibility Criteria
The following criteria must be met:
- The applicant must have completed a nationally accredited nursing educational program.
- The applicant must have completed two (2) years working as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) with a minimum of 800 clinical practice hours of providing patient care to urologic patients within the last three (3) years.
- The applicant must have current recognition by the state board of nursing as a Nurse Practitioner (NP).
- The applicant must hold a master’s degree in nursing or a DNP (Doctorate of Nursing Practice).
- The applicant must hold current certification as a nurse practitioner from a national certifying board: American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC), National Certification Corporation (NCC), American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or Pediatric Nurse Certification Board (PNCB).
International Eligibility Criteria
The following criteria must be met:
- The applicant must have completed a state approved educational program and practice requirements as stated above.
- The applicant must hold recognition as a nurse practitioner from the nursing regulatory authority in their country or province.
- The examination is provided in English only.
- CBUNA reserves the right to review transcripts of the nursing education program to determine eligibility.

There is no deadline to submit your application – you can apply at the time you are ready! Complete the online exam application along with appropriate fees. Be sure to sign and date your application. The application review committee will review and process your application, which may take 4-8 weeks.
Upon approval of your application, you will receive an examination permit by email, including a link to an online scheduling portal to schedule the exam date at a computer-based testing center of your choice. The testing center will send a follow-up email confirming the exam location, date, and time selected.
If your application is incomplete, you will be contacted to provide missing information and subject to applicable fees. If requested information is not provided within the specified period, the application process will cease and a refund less the administrative fee will be issued.

The certification exams consist of multiple-choice questions:
Associate – 150
Registered Nurse – 150
Nurse Practitioner – 175
Three hours are allotted to complete the exam for associates and registered nurses while four hours are allotted for nurse practitioners. The current passing score using the Angoff Procedure for the exams are as follows:
Associate – 72%
Registered Nurse – 70 %
Nurse Practitioner – 72%
CBUNA offers multiple resources to assist with your exam preparation, including an exam prep guide, prep tips, and a suggested reading list. If you are a member of SUNA, we highly recommend posting to UroConnect asking your peers who have taken the exam what they felt helped them the most when preparing.

You will not be admitted to the examination without an examination permit and proper ID. Substitution of an applicant cannot be made and no such request will be honored. The examination permit will remain active for a period of 90 days (from the date of issue). You must test within the 90-day window printed on the permit. If you do not test by the end of the 90-day window, both the examination permit and exam application will expire. You must then submit a new application and fee for the exam before being allowed to test.
You should arrive at the testing location on your examination permit at the report time listed. Bring your valid government-issued photo ID and the examination permit. The name on your ID must match the name on your exam permit. You need only to bring your examination permit and ID. Pencils and all other testing materials are provided. No drinks or food are permitted in the testing area. Cell phones and all other electronic devices are not permitted.

Congratulations to those individuals who have become certified by passing one of the CBUNA exams! Show off your credentials, review the directory of your certified peers, and learn how to maintain your certification throughout your career.
Academic degrees are listed first because they are earned, are considered permanent. When you become certified by CBUNA, you should use the credentials of CUA, CURN, or CUNP to indicate your certification.