CEN for travel nurses Certified Emergency Nurse · Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN)
Board certification in emergency nursing. Preferred, rarely required, on ER contracts. Eligibility: A current, unencumbered RN license. BCEN recommends 2 years of emergency experience but doesn't require it. Cost: $285 for ENA members, $380 for non-members. Valid 4 years.
Updated October 2026
Type
Board certification (exam)
Valid
4 years
Cost
$285 for ENA members, $380 for non-members
Issued by
Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing
Which travel specialties ask for it
- ER travel nurseOften preferred
Eligibility and exam
- Who can get it
- A current, unencumbered RN license. BCEN recommends 2 years of emergency experience but doesn't require it.
- Cost
- $285 for ENA members, $380 for non-members.
- Valid for
- 4 years.
- Renewal
- By continuing education or by retaking the exam.
Tips for travelers
- No experience hours are required, so you can sit for it as soon as you feel ready.
- Ask your agency whether it reimburses the exam fee; many do for credentials a contract requires.
- Add the expiration date to your profile: agencies track it, and an expired card can hold up a start date.
Questions
- Do travel nurses need CEN?
- ER contracts often prefer it. Each hospital sets its own list, so check the job post.
- Who is eligible for CEN?
- A current, unencumbered RN license. BCEN recommends 2 years of emergency experience but doesn't require it.
- How much does CEN cost?
- $285 for ENA members, $380 for non-members.
- How long is CEN valid?
- 4 years. By continuing education or by retaking the exam.
Other certifications: BLS · ACLS · PALS · NRP · NIHSS · TNCC · CCRN · PCCN · CMSRN · CNOR · CPN · RNC-NIC · PMH-BC