CRRN Certification: Overview and FAQ

If you’re an RN working in post-acute care, earning the CRRN certification could make you a more competitive job candidate and help you earn more as a nurse. Becoming a certified rehabilitation registered nurse (CRRN) shows your dedication to patients and validates your specialty knowledge. Here’s what to know about this credential.

While TV shows love to cover the life-saving moments of patient care, what happens to patients after they’re discharged from the hospital? Who helps them adjust to life after illness? Post-acute nurses work to care for patients in the immediate post-discharge time to meet their ongoing health needs. A CRRN-certified nurse helps these patients experience the best outcomes.

While title might make this certification sound like it’s only for rehab nurses, it’s appropriate for a range of post-acute settings, including:

• Outpatient clinics
• Home health
• Community hospitals
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Government and veteran’s administration facilities
• Inpatient and outpatient rehab centers

What Is CRRN Certification?

The CRRN credential validates a nurse’s expertise in post-acute nursing care. It’s administered by the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN).

Having your CRRN demonstrates your knowledge in these four areas:

• Rehabilitation nursing theories and models
• Functional health patterns
• The rehabilitation team and reintegrating into the community
• Legal, legislative, economic, and ethical issues

CRRN Certification Requirements

To qualify for CRRN, you’ll need to have a current, unrestricted RN license and meet one of the following requirements:

• Have at least 2 years of practice in rehabilitation nursing in the past 5 years.
• Have 1 year of practice in rehabilitation nursing and 1 year of advanced study beyond the baccalaureate level in the past 5 years.

How to Get CRRN Certification: 4 Steps

Once you meet the eligibility requirements for CRRN, you can complete the following steps to obtain your certification.

Step 1: Create an Account and Apply for the Exam

You’ll need to create an ARN account to get started. To verify your experience, the CRRN application will ask you to give contact information for two colleagues:

1. A supervisor or CRRN colleague
2. Any other colleague, such as a social worker, physician, therapist, or nurse

If you qualify for the experience requirement through nursing work with family or independent practice, you might not have a CRRN colleague or supervisor. ARN offers options for alternative verification in these cases. Once your application is approved, you’ll receive a scheduling email to set up a CRRN test.

Step 2: Register for a Testing Date and Pay Exam Fees

When you register for the CRRN exam, you’ll pay a fee depending on the group you fall into. Exams take place in June and December, and you can register within 45 days of the test date.

Avoid late fees by applying within ARN’s deadlines. Here’s a CRRN certification cost breakdown

• ARN members: $300
• Nonmembers: $460
• Additional late fees: $100

When you register, you’ll have the option to book an in-person or remote proctored test. If you choose to take the test in person, you’ll get an email with the location, date, and time of your test. Save the message and follow the instructions on exam day.

If you opt for a remote exam, you’ll need to set up a profile with Examity for scheduling. Then you’ll get two emails — one with your exam password and the other with a link to begin the exam at your scheduled time. Keep both on file so you can access them easily on exam day.

Step 3: Prep for the CRRN Exam

To help you do well on the exam, create a plan for studying. ARN offers a suite of study tools to help you master the material, and they also offer live instruction classes online.

ARN also hosts in-person classes, but you’ll need to be part of a group to register for these. If you’re interested in a classroom setting for review, you might ask around your unit or facility to see if other nurses are interested in earning their CRRN.

Step 4: Pass the CRRN Exam and Collect Your Certification

If you’re taking the CRRN test in person, arrive at least 15 minutes early on exam day. You’ll need to bring your confirmation notice and a form of photo ID.

For those taking the test remotely, you’ll need both confirmation emails to begin your exam appointment. Then, you’ll connect with your proctor, show a photo ID, and scan the room you’re in with your webcam to show that you’re alone and in a private area. During the exam, your microphone and camera will need to remain on.

Both remote and in-person test takers will have three hours to complete the 175-question exam once the time starts. Of these questions, 150 are counted towards your scaled score, and 25 are unscored pretest questions that are used for statistical purposes. You won’t know which questions count towards your score, so do your best on all of them.

You’ll get a score report after finishing that will show whether you passed or failed. The report will also be available in your ARN account. If you fail, you’ll need to repeat the application process and pay the fee again within the next test registration window.

If you pass, you’ll get a digital badge that helps verify your status as a certified nurse. Your CRRN certification will need to be renewed within five years from the last day of the month that you were originally certified. You can renew by retesting or by completing 60 continuing education credits.

CRRN FAQs

What are the benefits of CRRN certification?

Earning your CRRN certification can have several benefits, including:

• Enhanced career opportunities: Employers like to see additional certifications like the CRRN because it shows your dedication to post-acute nursing. This credential could help give you a leg up if you’re applying to leadership roles, specialized positions, and advanced practice opportunities.
• Potential for higher salary: Many post-acute facilities offer bonuses for certified nurses. Certifications are also excellent proof of competency to bring during your next salary negotiation.
• Increased credibility with patients and colleagues: CRRN demonstrates your commitment to excellence in rehabilitation nursing. Many facilities offer additional badges for certified nurses, so people can see the work you’ve put in for certification.
• Validation of your specialized knowledge: CRRN is concrete evidence of your knowledge and skills. Certified nurses may feel more confident in their ability to care for patients.

Is the CRRN credential worth it?

It depends on what you’re looking for next in your career. CRRN certification can differentiate you from other post-acute nurses since only about 13,000 nurses in the U.S. are certified.

If you’re considering moving into a leadership, education, or administrative role, earning your CRRN could be a helpful step in that direction. On the other hand, if you’re hoping to stay in your role but potentially earn more money as a nurse, a certification may help with that as well.

What is the passing score for the CRRN exam?

ARN uses a scaled report system to score CRRN exams, and you’ll need a scaled score of 500 to pass. For security, there are several versions of the exam that you might take on test day, and you’ll take the test on the computer. Your score isn’t calculated by the raw questions answered correctly, but by a statistical program that adjusts scores depending on difficulty.

How should I prepare for the CRRN exam?

To do your best on the CRRN certification exam, follow these tips:

1. Review the ARN’s CRRN Exam Content Outline, which covers topics like nutrition, regulations in managed care, quality improvement, and more.
2. Use ARN’s study tools and resources. They offer self-paced study guides, virtual live classes, in-person instruction, and more.
3. Consider joining a study group or organizing a group for a review course. Ask around in your facility to see if anyone else is interested in getting their CRRN, and if you might register and study together.
4. Practice with sample questions and mock exams to see which content you might need to review more extensively. Since the exam is only offered twice a year, take your time studying to avoid having to retest.

What’s on the CRRN exam?

There are four main content areas on the CRRN exam, but you’ll see some content more than others. Here’s how the exam breaks down:

• Functional health patterns: The bulk of the exam focuses on using the nursing process to help patients regain and maintain their health across various aspects of daily living.
• Legal, legislative, economic, and ethical issues: You’ll be tested on your knowledge of regulations, cost-effective care, ethical considerations, and safety practices in rehab nursing.
• The rehabilitation team and reintegrating into the community: This part evaluates your ability to work with other healthcare professionals and help patients transition back to their normal lives.
• Rehabilitation nursing theories and models: This section tests your understanding of nursing frameworks and how to apply them in rehab settings.

How do I renew my CRRN certification?

You’ll need to renew your certification every five years to maintain your credential. To be eligible for renewal, you’ll need to meet these requirements:

• Have a current, unrestricted RN license.
• Complete 1000 hours of qualifying nursing experience within the certification period.
• Complete at least 60 points of credit within the certification period.

If you meet these requirements, you’ll complete your renewal online through your ARN account. Here, you’ll verify that you’ve completed your points of credit. You can start your renewal up to six months before your expiration date. You’ll pay less in renewal fees the earlier you begin the process, so you can save money by renewing as soon as you can.

Related Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Pediatric Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization Certification (PEARS)
• Certified Case Manager (CCM)
• National Institute of Health Stroke Scale Certification (NIHSS)
• American Medical Technologists Certification (AMT Certification)
• Certified Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse (CWOCN)
• Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS)
• Crisis Prevention Institute Certification (CPI)

Looking for Opportunities in Post-Acute Care?

Whether you have your CRRN certification or not, your nursing skills are valuable across a range of settings. If you’re trying to level up your career, sign up for nursing job notifications to learn about open roles in your area and specialty.