Certification Webinar
This 30 minute Certification Webinar explains the process of certification from start to finish, and the CNOR exam in detail.  You can also download the certification webinar FAQ, which expands on the topics covered in the webinar.

CNOR Exam Content Outline
The Exam Content Outline shows you the scope of material on the exam and helps you determine where you need to focus your preparation efforts.

Sample Questions
Test your basic perioperative knowledge by answering five Exam Sample Questions. The questions are representative of actual CNOR test content and question format.

Self Assessment Tool
The Self Assessment Tool helps you identify areas of strength and where you need to improve. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will help you put together a study plan.

Deadlines
Your three month testing window will be open immediately following approval of your application (i.e. if you apply in January, then you may test in February, March or April.)

Exam Fees
The CNOR exam fee is $375 or $295 for AORN members. You must pay the fee at the time you submit your application. We accept check or credit card for payment. See the exam fees page to get all the information on fees including discounts for groups and Veterans Affairs (VA) or Department of Defense (DOD) nurses.

Exam Topic Areas
The CNOR exam is designed to assess your ability to apply knowledge and skills to current perioperative practice. The exam content is based on the findings of a Job Analysis which describes the overall functions and responsibilities as well as the underlying knowledge, tasks and skills that are essential to ensure proficiency as a perioperative nurse.

Learning Needs Evaluation
To determine which Topic Areas you need to review the most use the Learning Needs Evaluation.

Develop a Study Plan
Most nurses take two or three months to prepare for the CNOR exam. Developing a customized study plan will help you stay organized and on schedule. Download our free CNOR Study Plan and customize it to fit your goals. (This is a only a guide. It is not comprehensive review of all available literature.)

Prepare for the Exam
We have a variety of tools to help you prepare, including test-taking tips, online practice tests, and a comprehensive study guide. The current CNOR exam is based on the 2011 AORN Standards and Recommended Practices so you will want to make sure to have access to this edition.
Look into CCI exam preparation resources

• Ultimate Study Kit
• Interactive Guide to CNOR Exam Preparation 
• Competency for Safe Patient Care During Operative and Invasive Procedures reference book
• Practice Questions CD-ROM
• e-Practice Tests

Check out other perioperative reference books

• Alexander's Care of the Patient in Surgery
• Berry and Kohn's Operating Room Technique, Phillips, N., 11th ed., 2007

Visit our CNOR Exam Prep section for more information including upcoming CNOR prep classes.

You are now ready to apply for the CNOR exam. To complete the online application, you will need the following information. If you have all of this information, the process will take you 10 to 15 minutes.

• Personal contact information - address, email and phone number (home and work)
• Last four digits of your social security number
• Birth year
• Highest degree earned
• AORN information – username (email address), password and membership number
• Employer contact information – facility name, phone number
• RN information - RN license issue date, state licensed to practice
• Perioperative work history – last two years, date began working in the OR, current position, and current practice area
• Supervisor contact information (name, address, email, phone number)
• Payment information (check or credit card)

Once CCI has processed your application and determined that you have met all eligibility requirements, you will be notified to schedule your testing date and location. CCI works with Prometric, a professional testing service, to administer the CNOR exam. Testing is available Monday through Saturday, except holidays, at hundreds of locations nationwide.

To locate the testing center closest to you, visit Competency and Credentialing Institute Testing and select "Locate a Test Center". If you are testing outside of the US, Prometric will make reasonable efforts to find a test center within-five hundred miles of your requested location.

You will have 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete the 200 multiple choice questions on the exam. The questions test your ability to apply knowledge and skills to perioperative practice. The CNOR exam is a computer-based test that requires you to answer all of the questions. The format of the exam does not require previous computer experience.

Learn about the ID requirements and see a list of items that are prohibited from all testing centers.

Get Your Results
The CNOR exam is graded on a pass/fail basis. If you pass the exam, congratulations! CCI will mail your official CNOR certificate within 4-6 weeks.

If you are not successful in passing the CNOR exam, you will receive a Failed Score Report from the testing center, which will detail the parts of the exam that you need to work on. Use this information to identify the subject areas where you need additional preparation and consider when you would like to re-take the exam.

Get involved as a CNOR
Think about volunteering for one of CCI's exam development committees, such as item writing, or serving as a Champion in your hospital.

Continue your professional development
We encourage you to seek additional professional development opportunities including:

• Executive education programs
• CE Programs
• Certificate Programs
• Non-credit education courses
• In-house training
• Graduate degrees

These programs provide you opportunities to update existing or to develop new knowledge and skills in perioperative practice.

Recertification
Your CNOR credential is good for 5 years. Any CEs you earned in the year you passed the exam will go toward your recertification requirements. Learn more about recertification so you will be prepared when it is time to renew your credential.