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Exam Overview
The Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) exam is the national certification examination for registered nurses who practice rehabilitation nursing. It is developed and administered for the Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Board (RNCB) of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN). The credential shows specialized knowledge, clinical judgment, and professional competence in rehabilitation nursing across the continuum of care.
Exam Format
- Computer-based, multiple-choice examination; each question has four answer choices (A–D) and one best answer
- 175 questions: 150 scored questions plus 25 unscored pretest questions mixed in and not identified, so answer every question
- 3 hours of testing time; at a remote session there are no breaks, and any break the clock keeps running
- Taken at a testing center or by live remote proctoring from home (webcam and microphone required)
- Questions emphasize application: scenarios, priorities, best actions, and rules applied to cases
Content Outline
| Domain | Weight | About how many of the 150 scored questions |
|---|---|---|
| I. Nursing Models and Theories | 8% | 12 |
| II. Functional Health Patterns | 53% | 80 |
| III. The Function of the Rehabilitation Team and Transitions of Care | 12% | 18 |
| IV. Legislative, Economic, Ethical, and Legal Issues | 27% | 40 |
Domain II, Functional Health Patterns, is more than half of the exam. Its tasks cover health and wellness across the lifespan (including technology and sexual health), psychosocial adjustment and safety, function and mobility, neurological and other complex conditions, communication, nutrition, swallowing and skin, bowel and bladder, and sleep and rest. Plan your study time to match these weights.
Scoring
- Scores are reported on a scaled-score basis; a scaled score of 500 is needed to pass
- The passing standard is set by expert judgment (a modified Angoff method) and forms are equated so every form is equally fair
- There is no penalty for guessing; unanswered questions are counted as wrong
- Your score report includes subscores by content domain, which help you plan a retake if needed
Eligibility, Windows, and Fees
Why the CRRN Credential Matters
- Shows that you meet a national standard for specialized rehabilitation nursing knowledge
- Is recognized across rehabilitation hospitals and units, skilled nursing, home health, and community settings
- Supports career advancement, leadership roles, and credibility with the interdisciplinary team
- Reflects a commitment to evidence-based, patient-centered rehabilitation care
The CRRN exam is not a test of memorization alone. It evaluates how you apply rehabilitation nursing principles to patient-centered, interdisciplinary, and ethically sound care decisions.
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