CFRN Certification: Overview and FAQ

Do you know what to do if a patient suddenly loses a pulse when you’re in a helicopter? What about if a patient’s ventilator malfunctions in transit? A certified flight registered nurse knows what to do in each of these scenarios and more, and if you’re wanting to gain confidence in emergency situations like these, earning your CFRN certification might be your next move.

Flight nurses are RNs who provide critical care to patients during air medical transport, typically via helicopter or plane. They’re trained to handle emergencies independently in flight, working closely with paramedics, physicians, and pilots to stabilize and treat patients en route to medical facilities. They can be employed by:

• Air ambulance services.
• Hospitals with air transport divisions.
• Military units.
• Search and rescue operations.
• Disaster response teams.

What Is the CFRN Certification?

A certified flight registered nurse (CFRN) has shown that they have the skills and knowledge to handle critical care in the air. Offered by the board of certification for emergency nurses (BCEN), the CFRN credential validates a nurse’s experience and expertise in critical transport care.

To earn your flight RN certification, you’ll need to show that you’re proficient in several content areas, including:

• Burn care.
• Bariatric care.
• Environmental and toxicology emergencies.
• Metabolic and endocrine emergencies.
• Musculoskeletal injuries.

CFRN FAQ

How many nurses have their CFRN?

Over 5,500 nurses are CFRN-certified.

Is CFRN worth it?

That depends on what your goals are. CFRN-certified nurses report these benefits of certification:

• 90.7% report feeling proud of their credential.
• 85.4% feel secure in their flight physiology knowledge.
• 83.4% report improved clinical knowledge.
• 80.6% feel their confidence as a flight nurse has improved.

Is CFRN hard to get?

Of the CFRN exams that are taken, about 63% are passed. You can give yourself a good chance of success on the CFRN if you use BCEN’s exam prep materials:

• Preparation checklist
• Sample questions
• Reference list
• Practice exam

How many times can you take the CFRN exam?

BCEN doesn’t have a limit on the amount of times you can take their certification exams, but if you don’t pass, you’ll need to wait 90 days before taking the test again.

How much does the CFRN exam cost?

What you pay for the CFRN exam will depend on what group you fall into. BCEN offers a test assurance program, where you can choose to pay more for your first test, and if you don’t pass, you can take it again for no additional cost. The test fees are as follows:

What’s the average CFRN salary?

The average flight nurse salary is $95,900 per year. While there aren’t currently measures of CFRN-certified nurses compared to those who are not certified, earning extra credentials can help you make more money as a nurse.

CFRN vs. CTRN Certification

The certified transport registered nurse credential (CTRN) is similar to CFRN in that it focuses on the skills and knowledge that nurses need to care for critically ill patients who are being moved between facilities or geographic areas. The CTRN focuses on ground transport, so nurses who tend to work in automobile ambulances might be a better fit for the CTRN, which is a newer credential.

How to Earn Your CFRN: 4 Steps

Ready to earn your flight nurse certification? Here are the steps you’ll need to take to put this credential behind your name:

Step 1: Meet the CFRN Certification Requirements

To qualify for the CFRN exam, you’ll need:

• An active RN license in the U.S., a U.S. territory, Canada, or Australia.
• Experience in critical care or emergency nursing. BCEN recommends 2 years, but this is not a requirement.

Step 2: Apply and Register for the Exam

You’ll need to create a BCEN account to get started. Fill out the application and pay the exam fee. Once your application is approved, you’ll be given a 90-day testing window to schedule and sit for your exam. BCEN exams are administered through PSI, and you can sit for it in person or online.

Step 3: Study for and Pass the CFRN Exam

As you’re preparing for your exam, use BCEN’s resources to guide your study. Try going over a little information every day, and use your clinical practice time to learn more about the exam content.

On exam day, you’ll need a valid ID to enter the testing area, and you’ll be asked to go through a metal detection inspection. You’ll have three hours to complete the 175 questions once the exam starts, and there are 150 scored and 25 unscored items. You’ll need to get 106 of the scored items correctly to pass.

Step 4: Maintain Your Certification

Once you pass the CFRN exam, congratulations! You’re a certified flight nurse. Your CFRN certification is good for four years, after that you can recertify one of two ways:

• CE attestation: Complete 100 continuing education hours within the 4-year certification period.
• Exam: Take the CFRN exam again.

Related Credentials

What are other certifications for flight nurses? Check out these credentials:

• Basic life support (BLS)
• Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS)
• Pediatric advanced cardiac life support (PALS)
• Neonatal resuscitation program (NRP)

Take Your Nursing Career to New Heights

Whether you have your CFRN certification or not, your nursing skills have value. If you’re seeking ways to put those skills to use in new opportunities, sign up for job notifications from IntelyCare.