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. Earning the CFPN entails a competency self-assessment, personality factors assessment, reflective learning activities, and a knowledge-based exam—a total of four key components that will guide the early career of a perioperative nurse.
Certification
About the CFPN
CFPN certification assesses the knowledge and skills of an early career perioperative nurse with under 23 months of experience from initial hire date in the OR. The CFPN is a two-year credential with no recertification mechanism.
Eligibility
Check Your CFPN Eligibility
A current, unrestricted RN license in state or country of practice.
Certificate of completion from a perioperative orientation program. Program must have both didactic and clinical components. Course syllabus or content outline will be required if your application is audited.
Up to 23 months of experience from initial hire date in the OR.
Currently working full- or part-time in perioperative nursing, including nursing education, administration, research or clinical practice.
Overview
CFPN Credential Components
Earning the CFPN entails a competency self-assessment, personality factors assessment, reflective learning activities, and a knowledge-based exam—a total of four key components that will guide the early career of a perioperative nurse. Candidates will earn a digital badge after successful completion of each component. When all four components are complete, a digital badge for the certification will be awarded celebrating the achievement of earning the CFPN credential.
Knowledge-Based Test
CCI’s CFPN knowledge-based test is taken online via a remote, secure, and proctored exam experience provided by our testing vendor, PSI. The knowledge-based test must be completed first. After passing the exam, the nurse will move on to the other three activities.
Self-Assessment of Competency
Measured using the Perceived Perioperative Competence Scale (PPCS-R), accessed in the Candidate’s CCI account.
16pf® Competency Report
Assesses 16 primary personality factors to measure skills and traits nurses will need to be successful throughout their careers. Candidates receive PSI’s 16pf® Competency Report with interpretive information and professional development tips.
Reflective Learning Exercise
The final component for earning the credential. Candidates will develop a personal development plan for the next two years of their careers—the duration of the CFPN credential.
Get Prepared
Primary Exam References
These texts are the primary references for the CFPN Knowledge Based Exam.
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.
Get Prepared
CFPN Resources
CFPN Certification webinars
Learn more about the CFPN certification and have your questions answered by CCI staff.
CFPN Knowledge-Based Test Study Outline
Develop a personalized study plan with CCI's free preparation tool.
Get Prepared
CFPN Exam Preparation
CFPN Pocket Prep App
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. Purchase of CCI review materials is not a requirement for testing, nor does use of any review materials (CCI or otherwise) imply successful performance on the certification examinations. No study resources are prerequisites for the certification examinations.
Apply for CFPN Certification
Start your path to certification by applying for the CFPN credential. Learn more about the application process, credential components, and benefits to CFPN certification.
