Certified Perioperative Nurse
The Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR®) credential is the only accredited certification for perioperative registered nurses. CNOR certification assesses the knowledge and skills of a perioperative nurse with a minimum of two years of clinical practice. Held by more than 40,000 nurses internationally, earning the CNOR is a mark of distinction and demonstrates a commitment to upholding the highest standards in patient safety.
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.
CNOR Certification
Exam Overview
3hr.45min.
To complete the exam
200
Multiple choice questions
Computer-Based Exam
Results are pass or no pass
CNOR Certification
Subject Areas
Professional Accountability
6%
Emergency Situations
10%
Infection Prevention and Control of Environment, Instrumentation and Supplies
16%
Communication and Documentation
11%
Pre/Postoperative Patient Assessment & Diagnosis
15%
Individualized Plan of Care Development and Expected Outcome Identification
8%
Patient Care and Safety
25%
Management of Personnel, Services and Materials
9%
CNOR Requirements:
Check Your CNOR Eligibility
CNOR Certification
Application Process
Confirm your eligibility.
Determine when you would like to take the exam. Your testing window will begin the calendar month after your application is approved. Your exam may be taken at an in-person testing center or via remote proctor from the location of your choice.
You may submit your application online at any time by creating a CCI account or logging into your existing account.
Schedule your exam by clicking on the “PSI Exam Scheduling” button in your CCI account after your application is submitted. For additional testing center information, please refer to the CNOR Handbook.
Month 1
Month 2
Month 3
Month 4
CNOR Specialty Designations
Specialty designations recognize the exceptional expertise and dedication of CNOR-certified nurses in a variety of settings.
A CNOR-certified nurse may hold up to two specialty designations.
CNOR Application Fee
During the online application process, nurses can elect to register for a single exam take or benefit from the CNOR Take 2 program. The CNOR Take 2 program allows a CNOR-eligible nurse to take the exam twice in a 12-month period if the first attempt is unsuccessful. For more information on the Take 2 program, please see the CNOR Handbook.
CCI offers volume discounts for health systems seeking to certify multiple nurses. Download the CNOR Take 2 Facility Order Forms to enroll.
Application Fee
$475
OR
CNOR Take 2 for
$525
2 chances to pass the exam
$475
CNOR Single Take
$525
CNOR Take 2
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
Phillips, N., & Hornacky, A. (Eds.). (2021). 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 CNOR exam. Download our CNOR Study Plan for reference material by subject area.
CCI periodically conducts test development activities to develop and maintain the CNOR® exam consistent with accreditation standards. A complete list of test development committees is presented in CNOR® task and knowledge statements.
Get Prepared
CNOR Exam Resources
CNOR Certification Webinars
Learn more about exam subject areas and test-taking strategies.
CNOR Exam Study Outline
Develop a personalized study plan with CCI’s free preparation tool.
CNOR
Handbook
The complete guide on the CNOR credential.
CNOR Practice Questions
Explore the format and structure of CNOR exam questions.
Get Prepared
CNOR 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.
CNOR On-Demand Prep Course
CNOR Online Practice Exam
CNOR Pocket Prep App
