Certified Surgical Services Manager
The Certified Surgical Services Manager (CSSM®) certification is the only perioperative management credential for perioperative managers, directors, and nurses who oversee personnel, a budget, business unit, or service line. CSSM certification validates the achievement of the baccalaureate-prepared nurse who demonstrates current proficiency in a perioperative management role. Earning the CSSM is a mark of distinction and recognizes the important role managers play in delivering safe patient care.
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.
CSSM Certification
Exam Overview
3hr. 30min.
To complete the exam
180
Multiple choice questions
COMPUTER-BASED EXAM
Results are pass or no pass
CSSM Certification
Subject Areas
Professionalism
10%
Communication & Relationship Management
18%
Leadership
15%
Strategic Management
12%
Operational Management
18%
Financial Management
15%
Human Resource Management
12%
CSSM Requirements:
Check Your CSSM Eligibility
CSSM 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 CSSM Handbook.
Month 1
Apply
Month 2
Month 3
Testing Window
Month 4
CSSM Application Fee
The long-term benefits of holding a credential often outweigh the cost of initial certification. Over the three-year CSSM certification cycle, the certification application fee ends up costing less than fifty cents a day.
CCI offers volume discounts for health systems seeking to certify multiple nurses. Download the CSSM Facility Order Forms to enroll.
$425
Application Fee
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.
Penner’s Economics and Financial Management for Nurses and Nurse Leaders
Knighten, M. L., & Waxman, K. T. (Eds.). (2024). Penner’s economics and financial management for nurses and nurse leaders (4th ed.). Springer Publishing Company.
Operating Room Leadership and Management
Kaye, A. D., Urman, R. D., & Fox, C. J. III. (Eds.). (2019). Operating room leadership and management (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
These texts are the primary references for the CSSM exam. Download our CSSM Study Plan for reference material by subject area.
CCI periodically conducts test development activities to develop and maintain the CSSM® exam consistent with accreditation standards. A complete list of test development committees is presented in CSSM® task and knowledge statements.
Get Prepared
CSSM Exam Resources
CSSM Certification Webinars
Learn more about exam subject areas and test-taking strategies.
CSSM Exam Study Outline
Develop a personalized study plan with CCI’s free preparation tool.
CSSM Handbook
The complete guide on the CSSM credential.
CSSM Practice Questions
Explore the format and structure of CSSM exam questions.
Get Prepared
CSSM 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.
CSSM Exam Prep
CSSM Exam Prep Kindle Exam
CSSM Online Practice Exam
