CHPN vs CPHN: What's the Difference?
The two credentials are separated by a single letter, and nurses mix them up constantly. They are for completely different fields of practice.
If you searched for one of these and landed on the other, you are not alone. CHPN and CPHN look almost identical in writing, but they belong to two unrelated areas of nursing. Here is the short version, then the full comparison.
What CHPN means
CHPN stands for Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse. It is a well-established credential for registered nurses who care for patients with serious, life-limiting illness and their families. It is offered by the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC). If your work is centered on end-of-life care, symptom and pain management, and supporting families through terminal illness, CHPN is the credential in your field.
What CPHN means
CPHN stands for Certified in Public Health Nursing. It is a new credential offered by the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE), with the exam expected to launch in late 2026. It recognizes nurses who work at the population and community level: community health assessment, health promotion, disease prevention, program planning, and policy. If your work is about the health of populations rather than individual bedside care, CPHN is the credential aimed at you.
Side by side
| Feature | CHPN | CPHN |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse | Certified in Public Health Nursing |
| Field of practice | Hospice and palliative (end-of-life) care | Public health and community nursing |
| Certifying body | Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC) | National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) |
| Focus | Individual patients and families facing serious illness | Populations, communities, and health systems |
| Status | Established credential, available now | New credential, exam expected late 2026 |
Which one do you need?
Match the credential to your work. Nurses in hospice, palliative care, and end-of-life settings pursue CHPN. Nurses in health departments, community programs, school and occupational health, and population-focused roles are the audience for CPHN. If your role is in public and community health, the CPHN is the exam to prepare for, and that is what this site is built around.
Preparing for the CPHN exam?
CPHNPrep offers practice questions and full simulations mapped to the seven official exam domains. Join the waitlist for early access.
Join the waitlistCPHNPrep is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE), the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC), or any other certifying body. Credential details may change; always confirm current requirements with the relevant certifying organization.