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 exams share the same length and Synergy Model structure: 80% Clinical Judgment and 20% Professional Caring and Ethical Practice.
EXAM AT A GLANCE
Format
150 multiple-choice items (125 scored + 25 unscored)
Testing time
3
hours
Sections
2
Delivery
Computer-based at PSI testing centers (year-round)
Cost
$260 AACN member / $375 non-member USD for the computer-based exam; discounted retest fees apply
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What the exam covers
Clinical Judgment
80%
Professional Caring and Ethical Practice
20%
About the CCRN certification
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.
- 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)
- 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
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.
How to prepare
01
Pick Adult, Pediatric, or Neonatal and download that exam's handbook and test plan — they are not interchangeable.
02
Verify clinical hours before you pay; eligibility is the usual delay, not the test appointment.
03
Study by body system and the Synergy caring practices, not by random question banks alone.
04
Use AACN's current cut score as a practice target (83/125 scored for Adult as of Nov 2025).
05
Take timed 150-item exams until you can finish with review time left in 3 hours.
FAQ
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.
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