In order to be eligible for the CNOR certification, you must have a license as a registered nurse, currently be working in perioperative nursing, and have at least 2 years’ experience working in perioperative nursing.
This computer-based exam is 3 hours and 45 minutes in length, and consists of 200 multiple-choice questions
If you require special testing accommodations for conditions that are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you can make this request in writing.
A reader, extended testing time, a separate testing area, and zoom text font size are some of the special testing accommodations available.
Online CNOR Prep Course
If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online CNOR Prep Course. The course is designed to provide you with any and every resource you might want while studying. The CNOR Course includes:
- Review Lessons Covering Every Topic
- 1,400 CNOR Practice Questions
- More than 500 Digital Flashcards
- Over 20 Instructional Videos
- Money-back Guarantee
- Free Mobile Access
- and More!
The CNOR Prep Course is designed to help any learner get everything they need to prepare for their CNOR exam. Click below to check it out!
What subject areas and topics are covered on this exam?
- Pre/Postoperative Patient Assessment and Diagnosis – 15%
- Individualized Plan of Care Development and Expected Outcome Identification – 8%
- Management of Intraoperative Activities
- Patient Care and Safety - 25%
- Management of Personnel, Services and Materials - 9%
- Communication and Documentation – 11%
- Infection Prevention and Control of Environment, Instrumentation and Supplies – 16%
- Emergency Situations – 10%
- Professional Accountabilities – 6%
Pre/Postoperative Patient Assessment and Diagnosis - 28 Questions
Under the “Pre/Postoperative Patient Assessment and Diagnosis” subject area, the topics that will be addressed include evaluating a patient’s health status, looking over medicines, universal protocol, getting surgical consent, patient rights, pain assessment, and more.
Individualized Plan of Care Development and Expected Outcome Identification - 15 Questions
Under the “Individualized Plan of Care Development and Expected Outcome Identification” subject area, the topics that will be addressed include patient outcomes, individualized plan of care, perioperative safety needs, and safety precautions.
Management of Intraoperative Activities - 63 Questions
Under the “Management of Intraoperative Activities” subject area, the topics that will be addressed include patient responses (physiological and behavioral), patient and personnel safety, prepping the surgical site, pharmacologic agents, sterile surgical field, environmental factors, managing specimens, and preventing complications.
Communication and Documentation - 20 Questions
Under the “Communication and Documentation” subject area, the topics that will be addressed include techniques related to communicating and interviewing, IT, the interdisciplinary team, and patient education.
Infection Prevention and Control of Environment, Instrumentation and Supplies - 30 Questions
Under the “Infection Prevention and Control of Environment, Instrumentation and Supplies” subject area, the topics that will be addressed include coordinating care and the interdisciplinary team, and more.
Emergency Situations - 18 Questions
Under the “Emergency Situations” subject area, topics that will be addressed include control issues regarding anaphylaxis, cardiac arrest, Malignant Hyperthermia, respiratory complications, trauma victims, fire, and more.
Professional Accountabilities - 11 Questions
Under the “Professional Accountabilities” subject area, topics that will be addressed include social policy, professional growth resources, quality improvement activities, and overseeing professional behavior, and more.
What is the most convenient way to register?
Apply and pay for your exam through the CCI website. You will also be assigned a 3-month period in which you are allowed to take the exam.
What is the cost of taking this exam?
The cost of taking this exam is $395, if only taking it once. If you would like to be able to take the exam twice, in a 12-month period, in case you do not pass the first time, you can participate in the Take 2 program. The cost of taking the exam twice in the Take 2 program is $445.
What are the testing dates and locations?
Testing for this exam is offered on a continuous basis, Monday through Saturday, with the exception of national holidays. You may research the many test centers throughout the world, and choose the one that is most convenient for you.
What should I do the day of the exam?
It’s best to get to the test center early. Worst case scenario, arrive on time. Arriving late could prevent you from being able to take the exam, this will also forfeit the exam fee you paid.
Bring a form of identification that includes your name, signature, and photo. Your ID must be valid, and not expired. A driver’s license, military identification card, and passport are examples of forms of ID that are acceptable.
This exam does not require a calculator, nor are you allowed to bring one into the testing area. In addition, personal items are not allowed in the testing area.
If you bring any items to the test center that are not allowed to bring into the testing area, you must store those items in a locker.
Can I take a break during the exam?
You are allowed to take restroom breaks, but the exam clock will not stop, your time will continue to count down. If you must take a break, you must sign out when leaving, and sign back in when you come back.
What happens after I take the exam?
You will receive your score report before leaving the testing center. It will indicate whether you have passed or failed the exam. If you pass, you will receive your certificate via email, in approximately 10 days.
What is the minimum passing score on this exam?
The score range is 200-800. The minimum passing score is 620.
What happens if I don’t pass the exam?
If you are participating in the Take 2 program, you can re-take the exam at no extra cost. If you are not participating in the Take 2 program, you can pay an additional fee of $395 and schedule to re-take the exam after your testing window closes.
How Can I Prepare for the CNOR Test?
We believe that different learning styles require different tools for success. We have compiled a list of the best study guides, flashcards, and practice tests that we’ve found on the market. Some of these guides have review videos, for you visual learners out there. Others have practice tests, which have been proven to increase student scores by a whole letter grade (in some cases more than that)!
