Start Here · 3 min read
Exam Overview
The CFRN exam is a computer-based test delivered by PSI, either at a testing center or by live remote proctoring. Every question is multiple choice with four answer choices, and there is no essay or simulation section.
Key Facts About the CFRN Exam
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) |
| Certifying body | Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) |
| Questions | 175 multiple-choice questions |
| Scored questions | 150 (the other 25 are unscored pretest questions) |
| Answer choices | Four per question |
| Time | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Passing point | 102 of the 150 scored questions correct |
| Delivery | PSI testing center or live remote proctoring |
| Certification period | 4 years |
What the Test Covers
Test Design by Domain
| Domain | Title | Scored Items | Approximate Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Principles of Flight Transport Nursing Practice | 30 | 20% |
| 2 | Resuscitation Principles | 40 | 27% |
| 3 | Trauma | 30 | 20% |
| 4 | Medical Emergencies | 35 | 23% |
| 5 | Special Populations | 15 | 10% |
Resuscitation Principles, which covers airway management, mechanical ventilation, fluids, blood products, vasopressors and shock, is the largest domain. Together with Medical Emergencies it accounts for half of the scored questions.
What Each Domain Includes
| Domain | Main Topics |
|---|---|
| 1 General Principles | Transport physiology and stressors of flight; scene safety, landing zones, disaster management and EMTALA; radio communication, handoff, air medical resource management and just culture; navigation, survival, vehicle emergencies and pre-mission preparation; assessment and patient preparation |
| 2 Resuscitation | Airway assessment, optimization, drug-assisted intubation, complications and post-intubation care; invasive and non-invasive ventilation; fluids, blood products and vasopressors; hypovolemic, obstructive, distributive and cardiogenic shock |
| 3 Trauma | Mechanism of injury, hemorrhage control, the trauma diamond and spinal motion restriction; neurologic, maxillofacial, neck, thoracic, abdominal, musculoskeletal and burn injuries |
| 4 Medical | Neurologic emergencies and ICP management; acute coronary syndromes, heart failure, dysrhythmias, aortic emergencies and mechanical circulatory support; pulmonary, abdominal, metabolic and endocrine, hematologic, renal, environmental and toxicologic emergencies |
| 5 Special Populations | Obstetric, neonatal and pediatric, geriatric and bariatric patients, including trauma, medical problems, pharmacology and transport considerations |
How the Test Is Scored
The CFRN is a pass/fail exam. To pass, you must answer at least 102 of the 150 scored questions correctly, which is 68% of the scored items. The passing point was set by a panel of practicing flight nurses through a formal passing-point study. The 25 pretest questions are mixed in with the scored questions and cannot be identified, so give every question your best effort. Only correct answers count, with no penalty for a wrong answer, so never leave a question blank.
What Kinds of Questions to Expect
- Transport scenarios that ask for the highest-priority or immediate action
- Vital-sign trends, blood gases, ventilator readings, laboratory values and monitor findings to interpret
- Questions about the most likely cause of a change in the patient's condition during flight
- Findings that require intervention, and the best way to evaluate whether a treatment worked
- Flight-environment questions about altitude, cabin pressure, temperature, aircraft weight limits and equipment
- Safety, scene, communication and regulatory questions such as landing zone setup, EMTALA and crew resource management
- Calculations such as drug infusions, burn fluids, oxygen needs at altitude and pediatric doses
Score Reports
- BCEN reports a pass or fail result, along with feedback on your performance in each domain; the Candidate Handbook explains when and how you receive it.
- If you do not pass, use the domain feedback to decide where to focus before you retest.
- BCEN sets a waiting period and a reduced fee for retests; check the current policy in the Candidate Handbook before you reschedule.
Study coach
Ask about this chapter
Answers come only from “Exam Overview”. If the chapter doesn't cover it, the coach will say so.
Finished reading?
Next, start the first chapter.