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.

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. 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!
   

How to Apply

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 education@anpd.org for institutional pricing.

References 

• American Nurses Association. (2025).  Code of Ethics for Nurses.  

  • Available from ANA: https://codeofethics.ana.org/home 

• 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 

• Urich, B. (2023). Mastering Precepting, 3rd ed. Sigma 

  • Available on Amazon or Sigma Marketplace https://www.sigmanursing.org/learn-grow/publications/book-downloads/MasteringPrecepting3   

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.