CRNO Certification: Overview and FAQ

Eyeing a new career achievement as an ophthalmology nurse? If you’re an RN specializing in eye care, becoming a Certified Registered Nurse in Ophthalmology (CRNO) can enhance your professional credibility and open doors to advanced career opportunities. This certification shows your expertise in ophthalmic nursing and your commitment to providing high-quality care to patients with eye-related health issues.

Ophthalmology nurses work to help patients with a range of eye problems, including cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, conjunctivitis, strabismus, and more. To care for these patients, nurses work alongside ophthalmologists, optometrists, opticians, and other medical professionals in various settings, including the following:

• Ophthalmology clinics
• Eye care centers
• Hospitals
• Ophthalmology surgery centers
• Outpatient eye care centers

What Is CRNO Certification?

This professional credential certifies nurses in ophthalmology. It’s offered by the National Certification Board for Ophthalmic Registered Nurses (NCBORN), and it’s designed for nurses who have specialized knowledge and skills in caring for patients with eye problems.

This credential is not a requirement to practice, but an additional achievement that signifies your dedication to the ophthalmic nursing practice. To earn it, a nurse must meet the certification requirements, pass an exam, and maintain their credential every five years.

Why Become a Certified Ophthalmology Nurse?

Certification takes time, effort, and money. But there are major benefits to pursuing a nursing certification:

• Professional recognition: Certification is a mark of excellence in nursing, distinguishing you from your peers.
• Career advancement: Certified nurses may have access to more job opportunities, leadership roles, and higher salaries.
• Enhanced confidence: The certification process helps deepen and solidify your knowledge and skills in ophthalmology.
• Commitment to quality: Certification can help you give high-quality care, and maintaining your certification can help you stay updated in ophthalmology care standards.

How to Become a Certified Ophthalmology Nurse: 4 Steps

Ready to get started earning this credential? Follow the steps below to become a certified ophthalmology nurse.

Step 1: Meet Certification Requirements

To be eligible for CRNO certification, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:

• Hold a current, unrestricted RN license.
• Have at least 2 years of full-time experience in ophthalmic nursing, or the part-time equivalent (4,000 hours).

Step 2: Apply for Certification

Once you meet the certification requirements, you can apply for the exam online through the Professional Testing Corporation (PTC). You’ll also pay fees through PTC. The fees are as follows:

Initial application fees:

• American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses (ASORN) members: $350
• Non-ASORN members: $450
• Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs (NOVA) members: $400

Prometric rescheduling fee (moving your exam to a new date within your testing window): $50

Transfer fee (moving your exam to a new date in a new testing window): $182

Retesting fees:

• ASORN members: $250
• Non-ASORN members: $350

You’ll get an email once your application is approved, but you won’t be able to schedule your exam time until it’s within 11 weeks of your testing window.

Step 3: Pass the Certification Exam

You’ll receive an email from PTC when you can schedule your exam, and you’ll sign up for an exam time through Prometric. Try to sign up for a testing appointment as soon as possible — appointments are first come, first served. If you delay scheduling and the remaining appointments won’t work for you, you’ll forfeit your application fees.

While your experience in this specialty is certainly an asset going into the exam, CRNO recommends spending three months or more studying to give yourself the best chance of passing. To prepare for this test, use the following approved resources:

• NCBORN handbook
• CRNO examination study guide
• Online practice test

Step 4: Maintain Certification

You’ll need to recertify every five years to maintain this credential. You can do this either through retaking the exam or completing 75 contact hours. These contact hours must meet NCBORN’s requirements:

• 60 hours must be ophthalmology-specific
• Up to 15 hours may be from academic courses
• Up to 5 hours may be from courses taught by CRNO

Continuing education providers must be accredited by one of NCBORN’s approved organizations, and recertification applications must be submitted within the timeframes determined by your certification date.

Additionally, the recertification fees are as follows:

• ASORN members: $350
• Non-ASORN members: $450

Ophthalmology Nursing Certification FAQs

Can I retake the ophthalmology nurse certification exam if I don’t pass?

Yes, you can retake the exam. However, there is a retesting fee, and you won’t be able to schedule your next exam until closer to the testing window. The exam is offered twice a year, so give yourself the best chance of passing the first try by studying well.

What topics are on the exam?

The ophthalmology nurse certification exam is designed to assess an RNs expertise in ophthalmic skills, diagnoses, and procedures. You’ll have 250 questions, which you’ll need to answer in four hours. Here’s a general overview of the topics covered:

• Clinical and perioperative procedures
• Nursing assessment of the ophthalmic patient
• Pharmacology
• Professional issues
• Ocular conditions

Related Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Certified Nurse Educator (CNE)
• Certified Nurse – Operating Room (CNOR)
• Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA)

Find Your Next Nursing Role

Looking for a new opportunity? Whether you’re a CRNO or not, IntelyCare can help with your job search. Start receiving personalized job notifications to learn more.