American College of Forensic Examiners InternationalSM
Dedicated to the Advancement of Forensic Science & Education
ACFEI
Certified Forensic Nurse, CFN® program
About the Certified Forensic Nurse, CFN® Program
Forensic nursing is an exciting and rapidly growing specialty field that offers great opportunities and rewarding career options for nursing professionals. Being a Certified Forensic Nurse, CFN® can set you apart from your peers to get the recognition and respect you deserve, both in the medical community and the legal arena.
Benefits of the CFN Program
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 CFN's testimony and the applicability of the evidence that the nurse presents in a court of law.
What Are the Requirements?
To become a 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:
- » Must be a member of ACFEI
- » 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
- » Have practiced for a minimum of three years as a registered nurse in the United States, or as a first-level general nurse in the country of licensure
- » Successful completion of a minimum of 40 contact hours in the core areas of forensic nursing; please send certificate(s) of completion
- » 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.)
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 Executive Summits and/or completing tests for the continuing education articles located in The Forensic Examiner®, provided in our online course catalog.
Other sources may be submitted to ACFEI by using the CE Reporting Form for CFN.
