Transcultural Nursing Certification

Certification in Transcultural Nursing began in 1987.  A certification committee was established and
developed a multiple choice examination, followed by an oral examination. The first examination was
administered in 1988. Testing usually took place at the Annual Conference of The Transcultural Nursing
Society (TCNS). In 2004, the Board of Trustees appointed a Certification Task Force to review current
practices and make recommendations for future directions in certification. The Task Force completed its
work and recommended that a Certification Commission be set up. The Transcultural Nursing
Certification Commission (TCNCC) was established by the TCNS Board of Trustees in 2006. The
TCNCC began its extensive work of organization and development of a new test and testing process.
The first pilot exam of the new advanced test was accomplished in January and February of 2009. The
second pilot exam was given in June and July 2009. The new advanced exam and procedure was
implemented in December 2009.   The Basic Certification Exam in being piloted in late 2011 and early
2012.  Basic Transcultural Certification is due to be implemented in late 2012.   Advanced and Basic
Certification in Transcultural Nursing demonstrates to nurse colleagues, patients, employers, and
others, the knowledge, experience, and commitment to transcultural nursing.
"That the culture care needs of  
people in the world will be met by
Nurses prepared in Transcultural
Nursing."
Madeleine Leininger
Founder Transcultural Nursing Society