Certified Foundational Perioperative Nurse
The Certified Foundational Perioperative Nurse (CFPN®) credential is designed to give perioperative nurses a firm foundation for career-long professional development success. CFPN assesses the knowledge and skills of an early career perioperative nurse with under 23 months of experience from the initial hire date in the OR. Earning this credential provides nurses with a firm foundation for career-long professional development success and provides a fast track to CNOR and CNAMB.
Important Notice
SYSTEM UPDATE: Our testing partner, PSI will no longer support Windows 10 or macOS Ventura for online testing after October 14, 2025. Test takers must update their systems in advance to avoid disruptions during their exam sessions.
Certification Update
CCI’s 2024 Job Task Analysis results have been adopted, streamlining CNOR® and CFPN® exams from seven to six consolidated competency areas launching in 2027. This evidence-based evolution maintains rigorous standards while improving assessment efficiency.
CFPN Certification
Exam Overview
2hr. 30min.
To complete the exam
120
Multiple choice questions
COMPUTER-BASED EXAM
Results are pass or no pass
CFPN Certification
Subject Areas
Communication and Documentation
11%
Infection Prevention and Control
16%
Emergency Situations
10%
Professional Accountability
6%
Individualized Plan of Care Development and Expected Outcome Identification
8%
Pre/postoperative Patient Assessment & Diagnosis
15%
Intraoperative Care
34%
CFPN Requirements:
Check Your CFPN Eligibility
CFPN Certification
Application Process
Four steps from application to exam day.
Apply
Confirm eligibility and submit your application through your CCI account.
Approval
Receive approval and your 12-month eligibility period begins.
Schedule
Book your exam at any time. You must test within 90 days of approval. For additional testing information, please refer to the CFPN Handbook.
Get Certified
Take your exam and receive your result. Upon successful completion, you will earn your CFPN® credential, valid for 2 years.
CFPN Testing Model
Continuous Testing & Retakes
CCI now uses a continuous testing model and no longer utilizes fixed exam windows.
The first exam attempt is included with the application fee and must be completed within 90 days of application approval.
Retakes can be purchased through your CCI account and can be scheduled for 30 days after your last exam, as many times as necessary within the 12-month eligibility period.
TESTING OVERVIEW
Continuous Testing Model
- Scheduling your exam is no longer tied to fixed testing windows
- 12-month eligibility period begins from date of application approval
- First exam attempt is included with the application fee
EXAM RETAKES
Streamlined Retake Process
- Purchase and schedule retakes directly through your CCI account
- No new application required within your 12-month eligibility period
- Retake as many times as needed within the eligibility window
Candidates are strongly encouraged to review eligibility requirements and prepare to test within the initial 90-day window to maximize their testing opportunity.
A percentage of applications will be randomly selected for audit. If you are selected, you will be notified upon submission of your application. Applicants chosen for audit will be required to electronically submit copies of specific documentation, as outlined in the candidate handbook.
For additional How To Videos regarding your CCI account, applications, payment and other information related to your certification, view our YouTube playlist.
CFPN Application Fee
The first exam attempt is included with the application fee. If you need to retake, you can purchase directly through your CCI account. Each retake attempt requires payment of its own fee.
For more information on Continuous Testing, Retakes, and the associated fees, please see the CFPN Handbook.
Earning the CFPN certification puts nurses on a fast track to CNOR and CNAMB with lessened eligibility requirements; however, earning the CFPN is not a requirement to apply for CNOR or CNAMB certifications. CFPN credential holders will also receive a discount on CNOR and CNAMB certification application fees.
CCI offers volume discounts for health systems and hospitals seeking to certify multiple nurses through its Facility Purchasing Program.
Administrators can access the facility portal to purchase vouchers, assign them to eligible candidates, and manage bulk registrations.
Application Fee
$250
Includes first exam attempt which must be scheduled and taken within 90 days of application.
AND
$175
Retake Fee
Available within your 12-month eligibility period. Minimum 30 days between attempts.
CFPN Extension Year
Active CFPNs have the option to extend their credential an additional 12 months while preparing to earn either the CNOR or CNAMB certifications. Apply for CFPN Extension Year by logging into your CCI account and completing the online application.
Price of Extension
$100
Making Certification More Affordable
Great news! You can now use tax-advantaged 529 plans to pay for your CCI certification, renewal fees, and continuing education.
This federal expansion makes professional development more accessible than ever.
Material Questions Are Pulled From:
Guidelines for Perioperative Practice
AORN. (current edition). Guidelines for perioperative practice. AORN.
Berry and Kohn’s Operating Room Technique
Hornacky, A., & Phillips, N. (2024). Berry and Kohn’s operating room technique (14th ed.). Elsevier.
Alexander’s Care of the Patient in Surgery
Rothrock, J. C. (Ed.). (2023). Alexander’s care of the patient in surgery (17th ed.). Elsevier.
Drain’s Perianesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach
Odom-Forren, J. (Ed.). (2024). Drain’s perianesthesia nursing: A critical care approach (8th ed.) Elsevier.
These texts are the primary references for the CFPN exam. Download our CFPN Study Plan for reference material by subject area.
CCI periodically conducts test development activities to capture the current knowledge and skill set required of perioperative nurses upon completion of their orientation. A complete list of test development committees is presented in CFPN® task and knowledge statements.
Get Prepared
CFPN Exam Resources
Certification Videos
Learn more about exam subject areas and test-taking strategies.
CFPN Exam Study Outline
Develop a personalized study plan with CCI’s free preparation tool.
CFPN Handbook
The complete guide on the CFPN credential.
CFPN Practice Questions
Explore the format and structure of CFPN exam questions.
Get Prepared
CFPN Exam Preparation
Exam Prep Product Disclaimer: As a certification organization, CCI’s role is developing and administering certification examinations. CCI does not require or endorse any specific study guides, review products, or training courses. Candidates may prepare for certification examinations with any educational materials they choose. The purchase of CCI review materials is not a requirement for testing, nor does the use of any review materials (CCI or otherwise) imply successful performance on the certification examinations. No study resources are prerequisites for the certification examinations.
If CFPN Is Expiring – Your Journey Is Just Getting Started!
Earning the CFPN reflects real commitment – clinical knowledge, hands-on experience, and the drive to demonstrate expertise. As the two year expiration of a CFPN credential approaches, CCI wants to recognize that achievement and highlight a path many CFPN holders explore next.
Many nurses who hold the CFPN go on to pursue CNOR or CNAMB certification.
Not because they have to, but because it becomes the natural extension of where practice has taken them.
So What’s Next for a CFPN Certificant?
CCI offers two certifications that build directly on the perioperative foundation already established through the CFPN:
CNOR
The CNOR is the gold standard for registered nurses practicing in the perioperative setting. It covers the full spectrum of perioperative nursing, from preoperative assessment through postoperative care, and is widely recognized by employers and peers as a mark of clinical excellence.
CNAMB
The CNAMB was designed specifically for nurses working in ambulatory surgery and procedure settings. If your practice has shifted, or you have always been drawn to the fast-paced environment of outpatient care, this certification speaks directly to that expertisee choice questions
