Preceptor Certificate of Mastery

Professional Development

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Recognize Preceptor Excellence through Credentials

The ANPD 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. The PCOM credential validates preceptor expertise.

Preceptors guide, assess, and validate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to transition into specific healthcare roles. ANPD believes preceptors who demonstrate competence and expertise in clinical and teaching competencies should be acknowledged for their specific preceptor practice and role. Recognition for this crucial role in the nursing professional development specialty is key. Preceptor Certificate of Mastery (PCOM)  holders have demonstrated their knowledge and competency in the role.

The Preceptor Certificate of Mastery recognizes:

  • Expertise and excellence in the role of preceptor
  • 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!

Ready to be recognized for your skill and experience? 

Learn How to Apply

Fee: $99 Payment is required prior to accessing the exam.
Contact education@anpd.org for institutional pricing.

NPD Practitioners 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 ANPD while also improving outcomes such as reduced preceptor burnout, increased preceptor retention, operationalizing a formal preceptor recognition program, enhanced structural empowerment of preceptor education, training, and recognition, and celebrating preceptors in your organization.  

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.

Are you #PreceptorProud?

Successful completion of the Preceptor Certificate of Mastery Program includes:

  • Passing the PCOM exam with a score of 85% or higher
  • A minimum of 1,000 hours of precepting experience 
  • 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: 
    • Preceptor (self-assessment)
    • Individual precepted by applicant 
    • Manager/NPD practitioner/faculty who provides oversight for the preceptor/preceptee dyad 

Upon successful completion, preceptors earn:

  • PCOM may be added to your credentials 
  • A certificate will be issued 
  • You will receive a PCOM lapel pin to wear your preceptor pride
  • You'll earn a digital badge to display on your LinkedIn profile

References 

Sarah Morgando

“While precepting is deeply rewarding, it also asks a great deal of the person serving in the role, and the contributions of preceptors do not always receive the recognition they deserve.”

- Sarah Morgando, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, NC-BC, PCOM

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.