CHEST Launches Critical Care APP Education and Certification

June 25, 2025

GLENVIEW, IL – First announced earlier this year, the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) educational program and formal certification exam for advanced practice providers (APPs), including nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants/associates (PAs), in critical care is now available.

The CHEST Critical Care APP (CCAPP) Certification Exam was created using a rigorous and data-driven approach aligning with professional certification standards to determine the 11 topic areas on the exam. Questions focus on foundational areas for practicing critical care that are meaningful across different ICU environments.

Offering the opportunity to earn the CCAPP credential, the CCAPP Certification Exam is divided into the 11 domains that follow:

1. Neurologic System
2. Cardiovascular System and Shock
3. Pulmonary System
4. Gastrointestinal System
5. Renal, Endocrine, and Metabolic Systems
6. Hematologic and Oncologic Disorders
7. Infectious Disease
8. Diagnostics and Procedures
9. Special Considerations: Surgical, Trauma, and Obstetrics
10. Pharmacology and Toxicology
11. Patient-Centered Care, Health Equity, and Ethics

“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,” said Allison Wynes, DNP, ACNP-BC, FCCP, member of the CHEST Critical Care APP Steering Committee. “The exam covers what every clinician needs to know when they’re working in critical care, whether you’re a physician or an advanced practice provider—it’s what our patients need, and it’s the care that we’re providing day to day.”

August 5 is the deadline to apply for the 2025 exam, which will be offered online between August 19 and September 30, 2025. Those whose applications are approved can take the exam any time between those dates.

In addition to the exam, the CHEST Critical Care APP Steering Committee has created educational materials designed for NPs and PAs in critical care.

“There is a gap in education from when an APP graduates a program to when they practice in an ICU,” said Leeah Sloan, MS, PA-C, Chair of the CHEST Critical Care APP Steering Committee. “Our training programs, both acute care nurse practitioner and physician associate programs, really don’t adequately prepare you for the level of care that you’re expected to provide. Training can be focused on what you’ll need to know as a generalist, which means that for APPs in critical care, a lot of education happens on the job. These educational materials bridge that gap.”

To access the educational materials, visit the APP Resources webpage. To learn more or apply to take the certification exam, visit the CHEST Critical Care APP Certification Exam webpage.

About the American College of Chest Physicians
The American College of Chest Physicians ^® (CHEST) is the global leader in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases. Its mission is to champion the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases through education, communication, and research. It serves as an essential connection to clinical knowledge and resources for its 18,000+ members from around the world who provide patient care in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. For information about CHEST and its family of journals, including the flagship journal CHEST^®, visit chestnet.org.