Misconduct Policy Reminder

The information provided here is intended to provide a general overview of CCI guidelines for exam candidates and certificants. To view the complete set of governing policies, visit the CNOR Policy Manual.

Misconduct Policy
No personal belongings are permitted in the test center except for the pencils and scratch paper you have been given by the test center administrator. The computer will keep the official time. You may not eat, drink, or use tobacco in the testing room. The test center administrator is authorized to dismiss you from the test session for any of the following reasons, and to notify Prometric and CCI of the action taken:

• Failure to follow the test center administrator’s directions
• Creating a disturbance of any kind
• Giving or receiving assistance of any kind
• Using prohibited aids, such as reference materials, mechanical listening devices, and recording or photographic devices
• Removing or attempting to remove test questions and/or responses (in any format) from the testing room
• Removing or attempting to remove scratch paper from the test center
• Attempting to take the test for someone else
• Attempting to tamper with the operation of the computer
• Leaving the testing room without permission
• Leaving the test center/building at any time
• Using electronic communications or recording equipment such as Palm Pilots, pagers, cellular phones, etc;
• Using notes, books, or other aids
• Bring any materials to the test center that may compromise the administration
• Share information about the test and test questions with any unauthorized persons

If a proctor witnesses what may be believed to be a security breach, the exam is stopped immediately; all related materials are retained and an incident report is generated and routed to Prometric. The Prometric Security Office makes a copy of the video and reviews it for quality and to determine if there was any inappropriate action requiring follow-up with the test center personnel. The copy of the video and any related materials are forwarded to Prometric, which would then facilitate delivery to CCI.

If it is believed that an applicant or certificant violates the Misconduct Policy, breaches security or fails to follow test center directions the CCI may render sanctions against the individual that may include but not be limited to:

• Suspension from the examination for an indefinite or specified period of time
• At the Boards discretion, notify the State Board of Nursing, employer, insurance company, or other public health agency

Revocation of CNOR Certification
Grounds for revocation or other disciplinary action by CCI include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Certificant has provided falsified information on the certification or recertification application.
2. Certificant’s current RN license has been revoked by a state board of nursing.
3. Certificant’s current RN license has been suspended by a state board of nursing.
4. Certificant has been placed on probation by a state board of nursing.
5. Certificant has breached the confidentiality agreement signed at the time the examination was taken (via public or printed communication, the Internet, etc.).
6. Certificant has outstanding debts to CCI.

You cannot receive a refund if, for any reason, your CNOR status is revoked. Certified nurses will be notified by letter of CCI’s decision to revoke the CRNFA status. CCI also reserves the right to notify the employer of any certificant that the credential has been revoked.

Disciplinary Procedures
The Competency & Credentialing Institute ("the organization") conducts certification and recertification programs for registered nurses practicing operating room nursing and for registered nurse first assistants. Certified individuals ("certificants") must have successfully completed either the CNOR and/or CRNFA examination and met certain other requirements. Certificants are required to continue to meet all applicable requirements during the time that they hold the CNOR and CRNFA credentials. Disciplinary action, including revocation of certification, may be taken for failing to meet, or otherwise violating, these requirements. In addition, in the course of applying for certification or recertification, certificants are made aware of the reasons for which certification can be revoked. The following are grounds for revocation or other disciplinary action:

1. Certificant has provided falsified information on the certification application.
2. Certificant has had a current RN license revoked by a state board of nursing.
3. Certificant has had a current RN license suspended by a state board of nursing.
4. Certificant has been placed on probation by a state board of nursing.
5. Certificant has breached the confidentiality agreement signed at the time examination was taken (via public or printed communication, the Internet, etc).
6. CRNFA has not maintained CNOR status.

Any individual may submit information to the organization alleging violation of one of the standards listed above. In certain cases, the organization may refer complaints to the applicable state licensing board. At its discretion, however, the organization may initiate a complaint under these procedures (for example, if a certificant is thought to have falsified application information). CCI adheres to the following procedures to consider all complaints and take appropriate disciplinary action, including reprimand, suspension, or revocation of certification. The organization takes all reasonable measures to ensure that any materials regarding a complaint are kept confidential.

Use of CNOR
CNOR is the designation recognizing the nurse who has been certified in perioperative nursing. The letters do not in themselves stand for specific words or a title. The CNOR mark is federally registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Reg. No. 3564062, and may only be used in accordance with CCI policy by those who have achieved and maintain the designation. Use of the R in a circle symbol is legal and appropriate for use with the CNOR mark when used in a trademark sense. It is not necessary or desirable to use the R in a circle symbol in connection with every use of the CNOR mark. If on letterhead, signs, advertisements, or clothing, the R in a circle symbol may be used in connection with the CNOR mark, but it is not necessary or desirable to use the symbol in text, on business cards, or name badges.

In writing, proper usage is without punctuation as follows: Jane A. Doe, RN, CNOR.