Forensic Science | Forensics Education | Certifications
American College of Forensic Examiners
Dedicated to the advancement of Forensic Science & Education
ACFEI
Certified Forensic Nurse®, CFN
About the Certified Forensic Nurse® program
Forensic nursing is an exciting and rapidly growing specialty field that offers great opportunities and rewarding career options for nursing professionals. However, it can be challenging to set yourself apart from your peers to get the recognition and respect you deserve, both in the medical community and the legal arena.
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What the CFN program does for you
The CFN course will prepare and educate you on the following tasks:
- » The Certified Forensic Nurse (CFN) designation can demonstrate to a nursing professional’s colleagues, patients, clients, employers, and the health care community that he or she has an extensive base of knowledge and education, direct professional experience, and a commitment to continuing education and excellence within the forensic nursing profession.
- » The CFN designation can also help contribute to the weight and relevance of the Certified Forensic Nurse’s testimony and the applicability of the evidence that the nurse presents in a court of law.
View the content outline for CFN
What are the requirements?
To become a Certified Forensic Nurse, CFN, a candidate must meet all eligibility criteria as established by the ABFN and ACFEI. CFN candidates must complete the CFN application form and clinical experience validation form, submit all required documentation and fees, and successfully pass the certification examination. To be eligible to participate in the CFN examination, a candidate must:
- » Download and complete the CFN application and clinical experience validation form, and submit the application back to ACFEI Attn: CFN Dept, by fax to 417-881-4702 or by mail to 2750 E. Sunshine, Springfield, MO 65804.
- » Hold a current, full, and unrestricted license as a registered nurse (RN) in the United States or its territories or hold a license as a first-level general nurse in the country/jurisdiction of current practice. Candidates who are not licensed in the United States or its territories must have successfully completed a post-secondary nursing education program (as defined by that country) that included classroom instruction and clinical practice in the five major areas of nursing: medical, surgical, obstetric, pediatric, and psychiatric. In this case, a transcript documenting nursing education will be required from the candidate’s nursing education program for validation purposes.
- » Have practiced for a minimum of 5 years as a registered nurse in the United States, or as a first-level general nurse in the country of licensure.
- » Have successfully completed a formal didactic educational program in forensic nursing. This may include a 3-hour undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate course (or equivalent hour-based education course), including a minimum of 40 contact hours in the core areas of forensic nursing. Please send certificate(s) of completion. If you have not met this requirement, please call ACFEI at 800-423-9737 for available forensic nursing courses.
- » Be an ACFEI member in good standing.
- » Validate his or her current forensic nurse competency by providing supporting documentation (a clinical experience validation form) signed by an appropriate clinical authority, such as a forensic mentor, employer, or nursing supervisor. (Please see the Clinical Experience Validation Form, included with the CFN application.)
- » Provide two professional references on the CFN application.
How to Apply
ACFEI members have two options on taking the CFN course and exam:
Online Exam. The most convenient way to earn the CFN designation is to enroll for the exam online. Applicants may take the online exam provided they have fulfilled the requirements stated above.
In-house Presentation. ACFEI can come to you if you have a group who would like to complete the certification course and exam. Please member services at 800-423-9737 for more information.
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How to maintain the CFN designation
Individuals are expected to complete 15 hours of forensic-related continuing education credits per year to maintain their CFN status. The initial CFN course provides 15 CE credits, fulfilling this requirement.
Future CEs may be earned through ACFEI’s National Conferences and journal learning articles from The Forensic Examiner provided on our online course catalog.
Other sources may can be submitted to ACFEI by using the CE Reporting Form for CFN (PDF).
For more information call toll free (800) 423-9737.