CNOR Certification: Overview and FAQ
The Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) credential is obtained by nurses who specialize in operating room (OR) nursing. The CNOR certification ensures that nurses have the knowledge and skills to provide high-quality care throughout the perioperative process, from pre-op to post-op phases.
If you’re considering getting certified, you’re in the right place. This article will explain what the CNOR certificate is, outline the steps to get it, and explain why it’s worth having.
What Is CNOR Certification?
CNOR nursing certification is a specialized credential that’s awarded to nurses who undergo advanced training in perioperative settings. It’s administered by the Competency and Credentialing Institute (CCI) and covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Conducting thorough preoperative assessments.
- Providing preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative nursing care.
- Maintaining a sterile field.
- Assisting the surgical team during procedures.
- Managing and setting up surgical equipment.
- Proper handling of surgical instruments to minimize infection risk.
- Responding to emergencies that may arise during surgery, such as hemorrhage, cardiac arrest, or allergic reactions.
- Understanding legal regulations, ethical dilemmas, patient rights, and professional responsibilities.
- Communicating effectively with interdisciplinary team members, including surgeons, nurse anesthetists, and nursing assistants.
Wondering who needs this certification? It may be applicable to any nurse working in surgical settings, including:
- Emergency surgery
- Endoscopic surgery
- Gynecologic surgery
- Minimally invasive surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedic surgery
- Pediatric surgery
- Trauma surgery
How to Get CNOR Certification
Let’s explore the key steps to start your journey as a CNOR-certified nurse:
1. Meet Eligibility Criteria
Ensure you meet the CNOR certification requirements set by the certifying organization, which include:
- Holding a current, unrestricted registered nurse (RN) license.
- Having a part-time or full-time job in perioperative nursing, education, administration, or research.
- Having a minimum of 2 years and 2,400 hours of experience in perioperative nursing, with a minimum of 1,200 hours in the intraoperative setting within the past 5 years.
2. Start Preparing for the Exam
Familiarize yourself with the CNOR exam content by using study resources such as:
3. Submit Your Application
Start your application process by creating a CCI account. Ensure you have all essential documents ready, like nursing licensure and proof of work experience, and pay the application fee.
Once your application is approved, you’ll be able to schedule your CNOR exam either at a testing center or remotely. You’ll have a three-month window to schedule and take the exam, and you can only test once within that period.
4. Pass the CNOR Exam
To give you a better idea of what you’ll be facing, here’s a quick overview of the exam format:
- You’ll have 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete your exam.
- You’ll have to answer 200 multiple-choice questions, 185 of which are scored.
- You’ll need to score at least 620 to pass, within a range of 200 and 800.
After completing the exam, you’ll receive preliminary pass/fail results on-site. Official results will be mailed to you within four to six weeks following the exam.
5. Maintain the Certification
Your certification is valid for five years. To renew the CNOR certification, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:
- Hold CNOR certification.
- Hold a current and unrestricted RN license.
- Work full or part time in perioperative nursing.
- Have proof of working for a minimum of 500 hours in perioperative nursing.
- Earn 125 contact hours or acquire 300 professional activity points.
- Complete recertification application.
- Pay a recertification fee of $425 (or another payment option).
CNOR Certification Cost
When applying, you’ll be able to pick one of the several exam packages offered. Here’s the breakdown:
- Single take: $445
- Single take and the exam prep book: $520
- Two exam attempts: $495
- Two exam attempts and the exam prep book: $570
Frequently Asked Questions: CNOR Certificate
Is the CNOR exam difficult?
Yes, the CNOR exam can be challenging. However, with thorough preparation and dedication, many nurses successfully pass the exam. Here’s a glimpse at the course passing rates:
- First time pass: 69.1%
- Retakes pass: 53.3%
What textbooks are recommended to prepare for the exam?
There are four textbooks mentioned on the official CCI website:
- Guidelines for Perioperative Practice by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN)
- Berry and Kohn’s Operating Room Technique by Nancymarie Phillips and Anita Hornacky
- Alexander’s Care of the Patient in Surgery by Jane Rothrock
- Drain’s Perianesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach by Jan Odom-Foren
What does it mean to be CNOR certified?
Being CNOR certified means you’ve met education and experience criteria in perioperative nursing and passed the CNOR exam from the CCI. It reflects dedication to excellence in preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative patient care.
Where is the CNOR exam typically taken?
The CNOR exam can be taken in-person at PSI centers Monday through Saturday. If you choose this route, you’ll need to bring a valid ID and go through the check-in process, which includes a security check.
You can also take the exam online via remote proctoring, which is available 24/7 based on availability. Before the remote exam, you’ll need to scan your room to show there are no forbidden items, like cameras or tape recorders. Once that’s done, you can start your exam.
Want a full breakdown of the CNOR exam? The official video covers everything, from studying to test day.
How long does it take to get a CNOR credential?
From start to finish, the process usually takes about four months, depending on individual circumstances and scheduling availability for the exam. It’s important to note that once you submit your application, you’ll have a three-month testing window within which you need to schedule and take your exam.
How long is CNOR certification good for?
While your certification is valid for five years, you can extend your recertification deadline. This can be done if you need more time to complete your professional activities or are considering leaving nursing or the OR specialty:
- CNOR extension year: You can request a one-year extension to give yourself more time to complete the necessary activities.
- CNOR emeritus status: If you’re planning to retire or leave the profession, you can keep your CNOR credential by applying for emeritus status for a one-time fee.
What happens if I fail the CNOR exam?
If you fail the CNOR exam, you may retake it, but there are certain conditions to consider. First, there is a mandatory waiting period of 90 days before you can attempt the exam again. Additionally, you may be required to pay the full exam fee again.
If you enroll in the CNOR Take 2 program, you’ll automatically be allowed to take the exam twice within a year. It’s important to note that participants must pay the higher program fee in advance, before attempting to take it for the first time.
How do I verify my CNOR certificate?
To verify your certificate, you can visit the official CCI website. There, you’ll find a CNOR certification verification tool, where you can input your certificate information to confirm its validity.
Can I transfer my CNOR credential to another state or country?
Yes, the CNOR certificate is held by more than 40,000 nurses internationally. Therefore, if you plan to work as a travel nurse across different states or even internationally, this certification can be handy.
Why is a CNOR certificate important?
The CNOR credential is important for validating your expertise in delivering safe, high-quality patient care in surgical settings. Additional benefits include:
- Enhanced resume: Certification demonstrates commitment to the specialty, boosting your OR resume, professional recognition, and competitiveness in the job market.
- Career advancement: Certified nurses may have greater access to leadership, educational, and management roles.
- Increased pay potential: Certification may lead to higher salaries.
- Quality improvement: Certification fosters a culture of excellence among healthcare teams, promoting the delivery of the highest standards of care in healthcare facilities.
What are the related certifications?
Want to explore more certifications? These additional credentials may be useful in operating room settings:
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA)
- Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD)
- Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
- Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN)
- Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN)
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
- Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS)
- Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)
- Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN)
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