CCRN
Offered by AACN Certification Corporation
CCRN is AACN's specialty certification for nurses who provide direct care to acutely or critically ill patients. Separate Adult, Pediatric, and Neonatal...
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CCRN exam at a glance
Format
150 multiple-choice items (125 scored + 25 unscored)
Duration
3 hours
Delivery
Computer-based at PSI testing centers (year-round)
Passing score
Raw cut score on 125 scored items — Adult and Pediatric CCRN 83, Neonatal 84 (effective November 12, 2025; confirm current AACN cut scores)
Exam cost
$260 AACN member / $375 non-member USD for the computer-based exam; discounted retest fees apply
Validity
3 years; renew by Synergy CERPs, exam, or a combination per AACN policy
Prerequisites
Current unencumbered RN or APRN license and AACN direct-care hour requirements for the Adult, Pediatric, or Neonatal pathway
About the CCRN certification
CCRN is AACN's specialty certification for nurses who provide direct care to acutely or critically ill patients. Separate Adult, Pediatric, and Neonatal exams share the same length and Synergy Model structure: 80% Clinical Judgment and 20% Professional Caring and Ethical Practice.
Each exam is 150 multiple-choice items (125 scored + 25 unscored) in 3 hours, delivered by computer at PSI centers. Eligibility is an unencumbered RN or APRN license plus documented clinical hours in the population you will test. Adult CCRN is the highest-volume pathway.
Who it’s for: RNs and APRNs in ICU, progressive care, and similar acute/critical care settings who meet AACN's hour requirements.
Official exam page· Details verified September 2026
Exam details can change. Always confirm current requirements, fees, and exam policies with the certification provider before registering.
What the CCRN exam covers
- Clinical Judgment80%
- Professional Caring and Ethical Practice20%
How to study for the CCRN
- 1Pick Adult, Pediatric, or Neonatal and download that exam's handbook and test plan — they are not interchangeable.
- 2Verify clinical hours before you pay; eligibility is the usual delay, not the test appointment.
- 3Study by body system and the Synergy caring practices, not by random question banks alone.
- 4Use AACN's current cut score as a practice target (83/125 scored for Adult as of Nov 2025).
- 5Take timed 150-item exams until you can finish with review time left in 3 hours.
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Build My Free CCRN Study PlanCCRN — frequently asked questions
Do I need CCRN to work in an ICU?
Usually no — it is a specialty credential, not a license. Many units prefer or reward it; eligibility still requires critical-care practice hours first.
How should I study for CCRN?
Use the official test plan as the syllabus. Most candidates mix a review course or core textbook with hundreds of practice items and at least two full timed exams.