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Exam Overview
The ANCC Case Management Nurse Exam 2026–2027 is a national certification examination designed to evaluate professional competence in nursing case management.
The exam is administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a recognized authority for specialty nursing certifications in the United States.
Successful candidates earn the credential CMGT-BC (Case Management Nurse – Board Certified), which is valid for five years.
Purpose of the Exam
The exam measures your ability to:
- Apply case management principles in clinical practice
- Coordinate care across settings and disciplines
- Manage resources effectively
- Apply quality improvement, legal, and ethical standards
- Educate patients, families, and populations
The focus is on applied knowledge, not rote recall.
Exam Pattern and Structure
The exam is computer-based and follows a standardized format.
Exam format details
- Question type: Multiple-choice
- Total questions: 150
- Scored questions: 125
- Unscored (pretest) questions: 25
- Time limit: 3 hours
- Delivery mode: Computer-based testing at authorized centers
Unscored questions are mixed throughout the exam and are not identified.
Exam Content Areas
Questions are distributed across five major domains:
- Clinical Case Management Practice
- Resource Management
- Quality Management
- Legal and Ethical Considerations
- Education
Each domain assesses both knowledge and decision-making ability.
Scoring Method
- The exam uses a scaled scoring system
- Final results are reported as Pass or Fail
- Raw scores are converted to scaled scores to ensure fairness across exam versions
There is no penalty for incorrect answers.
Eligibility Snapshot
The exam is intended for registered nurses who:
- Hold an active RN license
- Have professional experience in nursing practice
- Have recent practice in case management roles
- Meet continuing education requirements set by ANCC
Eligibility must be verified before exam registration.
Importance of This Certification
Earning the CMGT-BC credential demonstrates that you:
- Meet national standards for case management nursing
- Can coordinate complex care effectively
- Apply ethical and legal principles in practice
- Use data and quality measures to improve outcomes
Certification may support:
- Professional credibility
- Career advancement
- Expanded responsibilities
- Recognition in healthcare organizations
What to Expect on Exam Day
You should expect:
- Scenario-based questions
- Prioritization and judgment-based items
- Questions that require selecting the best option, not all correct options
Time management and familiarity with question style are critical.
This study guide is structured to help you understand both what is tested and how it is tested, so you can approach the exam with confidence and control.
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