CNP exam applications now open

Applications are now open for the spring 2026 testing period for the American Nuclear Society's Certified Nuclear Professional (CNP) exam. Applications are being accepted through March 3, and only three testing sessions are offered per year, so it is important to apply soon. The test will be administered from November 12 through December 16. To check eligibility and schedule your exam, click here.

CNP details: ANS created the CNP credential to support both individuals and organizations in the field by addressing a critical gap in industry accreditation.

"When we looked at the industry as a whole, there were a lot of different credentials that require a really high level of education and a long number of years of experience in order to be eligible to even sit for the exam," said Rebecca Steinman, senior manager of corporate licensing at Constellation and chair of the ANS President's Special Committee on Certification, which created the CNP program.

She explained that the largest component of the nuclear workforce is made up of thousands of people who don't have four-year STEM degrees. The CNP exam serves as a national benchmark for that currently underserved part of the industry, creating a pathway for the majority of the workforce to demonstrate their knowledge and skill sets. The CNP credential also shows employers that a candidate has been tested successfully on a standard set of criteria and has a guaranteed level of relevant knowledge.

Newly minted CNPs: During the holiday season, nine people who took the CNP exam during the fall 2025 testing period learned that they passed the exam. ANS congratulates the newest batch of Certified Nuclear Professionals: Jason Abercrombie, Steven Bryant, John Cummings III, Maxwell Daniels, Abhinav Datla, Joseph Giebel, Matthew Glattfelder, Russell Jackson, and Jose Zuniga.

Eligibility requirements: The CNP credential is tailored to early- to mid-career professionals working across diverse areas in the sector, including nuclear operations, regulatory compliance, quality assurance, safety, and project management.

The following are eligibility criteria for the exam:

• A high-school diploma or a GED equivalent as a minimum.
• Demonstration of nuclear education or work experience:
  • 2 years of nuclear on-the-job work experience or
  • 80 hours of continuing professional education that is offered by any professional entity if the education is directly related to the domains covered by the CNP exam or
  • 2 years of nuclear education at an associate-degree level or above.
• Alternative options to fulfill the nuclear education requirement include the following:
  • A senior reactor operator license or reactor operator license.
  • Completion of the U.S. Navy's Nuclear Power School (enlisted or officer).
  • Other forms of nuclear education or coursework will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Learn more: In September, ANS hosted a webinar titled "How to Become a Certified Nuclear Professional," which was moderated by Steinman and featured advice from Ryan Bechtel, a member of the ANS Certification Subcommittee, and Joshua Vajda, subcommittee chair.