A preceptor is an individual in a specific healthcare area who guides, assesses, and validates the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to transition. Preceptors who demonstrate confidence and expertise in clinical and teaching competencies should be acknowledged for their specific preceptor practice and role. The Preceptor Certificate of Mastery (PCOM) program assesses and evaluates healthcare preceptors who excel in transitioning others into a new setting, a new role, or a new profession. Successful certificate holders have demonstrated their knowledge and competency in the role. Support and recognize the competence and value of preceptors through the Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD) PCOM. #PreceptorProud
The Preceptor Certificate of Mastery recognizes:
- Expertise and excellence in the role
- Validation of competency in effective communication, accountability, safety, teaching, and more
- Demonstrated knowledge in preceptor roles such as role model, facilitator, social agent, evaluator, and more
- AND has operationalized a way for organizations to recognize their preceptors too!
Are you #PreceptorProud?
How to Apply
The Preceptor Certificate of Mastery is awarded to qualified individuals who demonstrate expertise and excellence in precepting by receiving a passing score on all rubrics aligned with the seven identified roles of the preceptor. Portfolios are reviewed by a panel of appraisers made up of nursing professional development (NPD) specialists. Candidates will be notified of their status within 4-6 weeks of portfolio submission.
- Successful completion of a 75-item, multiple-choice examination with a score of 85% or higher.
- Documentation of a minimum of 1000 hours of precepting experience.
- Documentation of completion of 6 contact hours of continuing education related to precepting and topics applicable to the preceptor role.
- Completion of the ANPD Preceptor Assessment Tool by three individuals:
- (1) Preceptor (self-assessment)
- (1) Individual precepted by the applicant
- (1) Manager/NPD practitioner/faculty who provides oversight for the preceptor/preceptee dyad
Ready to Apply? Here are the Instructions:
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Create an ANPD Account: If you are not an ANPD member and wish to apply for PCOM, you must create a guest account here. Upon creation of your account, please reach out to education@anpd.org stating you wish to apply for the PCOM and an ANPD team member will enroll you in the Continuing Education Center.
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Take the Exam: Log into the Continuing Education Center and navigate to the top right corner to click on “My Content.” There, you will see the "Preceptor Certificate of Mastery (PCOM)" bundle. Simply follow the instructions provided within that bundle to complete your exam. Once your certificate populates, be sure to save a copy—you will need it later in the process.
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Gather Documentation:
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Certificate proving an 85% or higher on PCOM exam.
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Documentation of a minimum of 1,000 hours of precepting experience (access form here). We will also accept an attestation letter endorsed by your Manager/NPD practitioner/faculty who provides oversight for the preceptor/preceptee dyad.
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Documentation of completion of 6 contact hours of continuing education related to precepting and topics applicable to the preceptor role.
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Completion of the ANPD Preceptor Assessment Tool by three individuals:
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(1) Preceptor (self-assessment)
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(1) Individual precepted by applicant
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(1) Manager/NPD practitioner/faculty who provides oversight for the preceptor/preceptee dyad
- Apply: Apply for your certificate here with all above listed materials. You will be prompted to upload each document. Candidates will be notified of their status within 4-6 weeks of application submission.
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Recognition:
Promote Preceptor Pride
The role of the preceptor is a major component of successful transition to practice programs. Preceptors who demonstrate confidence and expertise in clinical and teaching competencies should be recognized for their specific preceptor practice and role. As a nursing professional development (NPD) practitioner, you can acknowledge the importance of the preceptor role with support from the Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD) while also improving outcomes such as reducing preceptor burnout, increasing preceptor retention, operationalizing a formal preceptor recognition program, enhancing structural empowerment of preceptor education, training, and recognition, and celebrating preceptors in your organization.
ANPD is proud to recognize the importance of preceptors and their contribution to the success of new and transitioning staff with a newly updated and streamlined Preceptor Certificate of Mastery. Preceptors need training to be effective in their role, and while training resources are available, no formal certificate that recognizes excellence in the role exists outside of the perioperative setting.
We encourage you to promote preceptor pride with us, engage with your preceptors, and nurse leaders to share this valuable program to enhance the nursing workforce in your organization.
Cost $99 *Payment is required prior to accessing the exam.
Contact info@anpd.org for institutional pricing.
References
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Harper, M. G., Ulrich, B., MacDonald, R., Maloney, P., Warren, J. I., Whiteside, D. (2023). Summary findings from the 2023 preceptor competency consensus study. https://www.anpd.org/Portals/0/Files/ANPD_1127571-23_PreceptorCompetencies_Report.pdf
ANPD Position
Precepting is not recognized as a nursing specialty. However, precepting shares commonalities with nursing professional development that should be examined through rigorous research. Serving as a preceptor is often an entry into the specialty practice of nursing professional development—an ANA recognized specialty in which certification is available. ANPD recognizes the value of preceptors and supports their practice through research and recognition.