Exam Overview

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What Is the Adult CCRN Examination?

CCRN (Adult) is a specialty certification for nurses who provide direct care to acutely and critically ill adult patients, wherever that care is delivered. It is awarded by AACN Certification Corporation. The examination is built on the AACN Synergy Model for Patient Care, which holds that outcomes are best when the competencies of the nurse match the needs of the patient.

150

Total items

125

Scored items

Unscored pretest items

3 Hours

Testing time

Test Plan

Eighty percent of the examination tests Clinical Judgment and twenty percent tests Professional Caring and Ethical Practice. Clinical Judgment items are grouped by body system. The table shows the weight of each category and the topics in this guide that address it.

Adult CCRN Test Plan
Category	Weight	Topics in this guide
Cardiovascular	13%	Cardiovascular
Respiratory	12%	Respiratory
Endocrine, Hematology and Immunology, Gastrointestinal, Renal and Genitourinary, Integumentary	21%	Endocrine; Immunology and Oncology; Hematology; Gastrointestinal; Genitourinary; Integumentary
Musculoskeletal, Neurological, Behavioral and Psychosocial	18%	Musculoskeletal; Neurological; Behavioral and Psychosocial
Multisystem	16%	Multisystem
Professional Caring and Ethical Practice	20%	All fifteen topics in Section 2

Share of the Examination by Category

13%

12%

21%

18%

16%

20%

Cardiovascular

Respiratory

Endocrine to Integumentary

Musculoskeletal, Neurological, Psychosocial

Multisystem

Professional Caring

Question Format

Item Type

Every item is multiple choice with four options and one best answer. Scenarios involve adult patients, and medications are identified by generic name.

Cognitive Level

Most items present a clinical scenario and require application or analysis: interpreting data, choosing a priority, or anticipating an intervention. Few items test isolated recall.

Scoring

How the Score Is Calculated

Only the 125 scored items count. Each is worth one point, and there is no penalty for a wrong answer, so every item should be answered.

Passing Standard

The passing point is set by a panel of subject matter experts with a criterion-referenced method, so each candidate is measured against a fixed standard. For the current Adult CCRN test plan, the passing point is 83 correct answers out of the 125 scored items.

Results

Candidates who test by computer receive the result and a score report, with performance by category, as soon as the examination ends.

Eligibility

Candidates need a current, unencumbered RN or APRN license in the United States and must meet one of two clinical practice options. The hours must be in direct care of acutely or critically ill adult patients.

Clinical Practice Hour Options
Option	Requirement
Two-year option	1,750 hours in direct care during the previous 2 years, with 875 of those hours in the most recent year
Five-year option	At least 2,000 hours in direct care during the previous 5 years, with 144 of those hours in the most recent year

Registration, Fees, and Testing

Testing Facts
Item	Detail
Application	Online through AACN at www.aacn.org
Examination fee	$260 for AACN members; $375 for nonmembers
Delivery	Computer-based testing, offered year-round, Monday through Saturday, at more than 300 testing centers across the United States
Retesting	Up to four attempts in a 12-month period, at a discounted retest fee
Certification period	3 years, followed by renewal

Confirm Current Details

Fees, eligibility rules, and testing policies are set by AACN Certification Corporation and can change. Check the current CCRN Exam Handbook at www.aacn.org before applying.

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