2 answers
Jennifer
Student
Des Moines, Iowa
1
Question
Updated
361 views
What are the steps to earning SANE certification after I finish nursing school How long does it typically take to complete??
I’m looking to work with sexual assault survivors
Login to comment
2 answers
Cindy Muhonja
Registered Nurse
49
Answers
Ashburn, Virginia
Updated
Cindy’s Answer
Hello Jennifer,
I'll admit I did not know what SANE was, and I had to google it. Therefore my expectation would be that not many of us nurses know SANE. There are probably very few people who can help you answer this question. Google asks for 2 years experience, then further classroom training and clinicals. There's a board exam. As someone who is very familiar with board exams, i was surprised not to know about SANE. I hope you find someone who is knowledgeable on this issue. It would probably be someone more involved with criminology. All the best.
I'll admit I did not know what SANE was, and I had to google it. Therefore my expectation would be that not many of us nurses know SANE. There are probably very few people who can help you answer this question. Google asks for 2 years experience, then further classroom training and clinicals. There's a board exam. As someone who is very familiar with board exams, i was surprised not to know about SANE. I hope you find someone who is knowledgeable on this issue. It would probably be someone more involved with criminology. All the best.
Thank you for the advice.
Jennifer
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
1011
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Jennifer, please understand that earning SANE certification is a powerful and meaningful step toward providing compassionate, expert care to survivors of sexual assault. After completing nursing school and obtaining licensure as a registered nurse, you must follow several key steps to become SANE-certified. This certification is overseen by the International Association of Forensic Nurses, which sets the standards and administers the SANE-A (Adult/Adolescent) and SANE-P (Pediatric) certifications. You can learn more at https://www.forensicnurses.org.
The process begins with completing a 40-hour didactic SANE training course that aligns with the International Association of Forensic Nurses’s educational guidelines. This course can be taken in-person or online and covers essential topics including forensic evidence collection, trauma-informed care, legal considerations, and how to testify in court. The International Association of Forensic Nurses lists approved training providers and offers its own virtual course as well, which you can find at https://www.forensicnurses.org/page/SANETraining.
Jennifer, after completing the didactic portion, the next critical step is to complete clinical preceptorship hours, which typically involve performing or observing sexual assault exams under the supervision of an experienced preceptor. This portion is essential to developing your hands-on forensic and clinical skills and usually includes 300–500 hours of practice depending on your location, institutional requirements, and the availability of preceptors. These clinical hours are not standardized, so you’ll want to coordinate with a local SANE program, hospital, or sexual assault response center. Many nurses complete these hours through volunteer or per diem opportunities in emergency departments or with sexual assault response teams (SARTs).
Once you have met both the educational and clinical requirements, you can apply to sit for the SANE-A or SANE-P certification exam, which is administered by the International Association of Forensic Nurses’s Commission for Forensic Nursing Certification. The exam is offered twice a year, in April and September. Eligibility details and exam application information are available here: https://www.forensicnurses.org/page/Certification.
The total time to complete SANE certification varies based on your personal availability, access to clinical sites, and regional program resources. On average, it takes 6 months to 2 years from the time you complete nursing school to achieve certification, depending on how quickly you can complete training and clinical hours.
Jennifer, you should know that pursuing SANE certification is a deeply impactful way to support survivors of sexual assault with skilled, trauma-informed care. The work you do can help restore dignity, provide critical evidence, and serve as a foundation for healing. For additional support, consider joining the International Association of Forensic Nurses community or connecting with a local SANE program coordinator who can guide you through the certification process and help you find preceptorship opportunities.
The process begins with completing a 40-hour didactic SANE training course that aligns with the International Association of Forensic Nurses’s educational guidelines. This course can be taken in-person or online and covers essential topics including forensic evidence collection, trauma-informed care, legal considerations, and how to testify in court. The International Association of Forensic Nurses lists approved training providers and offers its own virtual course as well, which you can find at https://www.forensicnurses.org/page/SANETraining.
Jennifer, after completing the didactic portion, the next critical step is to complete clinical preceptorship hours, which typically involve performing or observing sexual assault exams under the supervision of an experienced preceptor. This portion is essential to developing your hands-on forensic and clinical skills and usually includes 300–500 hours of practice depending on your location, institutional requirements, and the availability of preceptors. These clinical hours are not standardized, so you’ll want to coordinate with a local SANE program, hospital, or sexual assault response center. Many nurses complete these hours through volunteer or per diem opportunities in emergency departments or with sexual assault response teams (SARTs).
Once you have met both the educational and clinical requirements, you can apply to sit for the SANE-A or SANE-P certification exam, which is administered by the International Association of Forensic Nurses’s Commission for Forensic Nursing Certification. The exam is offered twice a year, in April and September. Eligibility details and exam application information are available here: https://www.forensicnurses.org/page/Certification.
The total time to complete SANE certification varies based on your personal availability, access to clinical sites, and regional program resources. On average, it takes 6 months to 2 years from the time you complete nursing school to achieve certification, depending on how quickly you can complete training and clinical hours.
Jennifer, you should know that pursuing SANE certification is a deeply impactful way to support survivors of sexual assault with skilled, trauma-informed care. The work you do can help restore dignity, provide critical evidence, and serve as a foundation for healing. For additional support, consider joining the International Association of Forensic Nurses community or connecting with a local SANE program coordinator who can guide you through the certification process and help you find preceptorship opportunities.
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Jennifer