CHEST Critical Care APP Certification Exam

Validate your clinical expertise, and earn the CCAPP credential

Transform your knowledge and experience into impact

As an advanced practice provider (APP), you are a vital part of the critical care team. The new CHEST Critical Care APP (CCAPP) Certification Exam is a comprehensive assessment of your clinical critical care knowledge and competence. Successfully earning the CCAPP credential can offer:

Enhanced credibility and recognition
Increased personal fulfillment and professional growth
A competitive edge in the job market
Satisfaction from your contribution to improved health care quality

CCAPP exam details

Timing and fees

The CCAPP exam will be offered online between August 19 and September 30, 2025. Those whose exam applications are approved can take the exam at any time during this period.

Deadline to apply for exam: August 5, 2025

Application fee: $25
Exam registration fee: $325

Before you can register to take the exam, you’ll need to fill out an application. CHEST staff will then review your application within 10 business days to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements. If you are approved, you’ll receive an email with a link to complete your exam registration.

APPLY TO TAKE EXAM

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible to take the certification exam, you must:

Be an adult acute care-certified* nurse practitioner (NP) or physician associate/assistant (PA) actively practicing in critical care in the United States
Have accrued a minimum of 2,000 hours in critical care practice in the last three years, which may include NP/PA postgraduate time spent in a critical care orientation and/or fellowship program
Have attestation from a supervisor or medical director confirming experience (using this form)

*ACNPC-AG (AACN) or AGACNP-BC (ANCC)

Exam specifications

CHEST used a rigorous and data-driven approach aligning with professional certification standards to determine the 11 topic areas on the exam. Exam questions are focused on foundational areas for practicing critical care that are meaningful across these different ICU environments.

VIEW FULL SPECIFICATIONS »

VIEW CERTIFICATION REFERENCES »

Cardiovascular system: 17%

Diagnostics and procedures: 5%

Gastrointestinal system: 7%

Hematologic and oncologic disorders: 5%

Infectious disease: 7%

Neurologic system: 8%

Patient-centered care, health equity, and ethics: 7%

Pharmacology and toxicology: 8%

Pulmonary system: 17%

Renal, endocrine, and metabolic systems: 12%

Special considerations: surgical, trauma, and obstetrics: 7%

“Getting a certification from an organization like CHEST helps those we work with recognize the quality of the education that we’re getting and the quality of the certification that comes along with that designation.”

– Allison Wynes, DNP, ACNP, FCCP

“Having the CHEST Critical Care APP Certification distinguishes advanced practice providers as experts in their field.”

– Kalina Gorczyca, APRN-BC, DNP

“There’s not a lot of focus in graduate education for PAs or NPs, specifically in critical care. A certification in critical care really helps bridge that knowledge gap and provide excellent patient care.”

– Janna Landsperger, APRN-BC, FCCP

“If you’re already in critical care medicine and practicing at that highest level, you should have a certification that speaks to that and acknowledges your experience, your training, and your expertise in your field.”

– Leeah Sloan, PA-C

Study resources for your exam prep

Get ready for the CCAPP exam with tailored education products from CHEST. Much of the content in these products aligns with domains on the exam, making these the perfect study tools.

EXPERT LECTURES

Essential Critical Care Concepts for APPs

Watch more than 23 hours of lectures on topics such as respiratory failure and mechanical support, cardiovascular critical care, and hematologic and oncologic critical care.

CASE-BASED QUESTIONS

CHEST SEEK^® Critical Care Medicine for APPs

Test your diagnosis and treatment knowledge with a collection of 100 SEEK questions covering common clinical scenarios, curated specifically for APPs.

STREAMING EDUCATION

CHEST MedCast

Access more than 400 videos and podcasts from expert faculty, including over 75 specifically focused on critical care. Our modern interface offers powerful search and personalized content recommendations.

APP CERTIFICATION FACULTY

The CHEST Critical Care APP Certification Exam was developed, evaluated, and approved by subject matter experts—including NPs, PAs, physician consultants, and psychometricians—to ensure that it provides a fair and reliable estimate of proficiency.

Critical Care APP Steering Committee
Leeah Sloan, PA-C, FCCP (Co-Chair)
Arzu Adîgüzel, EdD, RN, ACNP, CCRN-CMC, CNEcl (Co-Chair)
Jack D. Buckley, MD, MPH, FCCP
Susan Corbridge, PhD, APRN, FCCP, FAANP, FAAN
Neil Freedman, MD, FCCP
Hayley Gershengorn, MD, FCCP

Timothy J. Kinsey, DMSc, PA, FCCP
Kristina Kordesch, NP
Danielle McCamey, DNP, MS, BSN, RN, ACNP, FCCP
Todd Rice, MD, FCCP
Allison Wynes, DNP, ACNP, FCCP
Corinne Young, MSN, FNP-C, FCCP

Critical Care APP Certification Development
Olga Amusina, DNP, ACNP
Kirstin Brainard, ARNP, ACNP
Ryan Bierle, PA-C
Karin Clifton, NP
Vincent DeRienzo, PA-C
Carolyn Dickens, PhD, APRN, RN, ACNP, FAANP, FHFSA
Monica Esquivel, ACNP
Daniel J. Ford, APRN-BC, MSN
Kalina Gorczyca, APRN-BC, DNP

April Kapu, DNP, APRN
Meghan Kirkland, PA-C, MPAS
Janna Landsperger, APRN-BC, FCCP
Theresa Lombardo, APRN
Thomas Pedigo, PA-C
Todd Ray, DNP, ARNP-C, ACNP
Rhea Votipka, APRN-BC, MSN, FCCP
Lauren Wiley, PA-C
Steven Wiseman, ACNP
Lilly Zenor, PA-C