Certified Ambulatory Surgery Nurse
The Certified Ambulatory Surgery Nurse (CNAMB®) certification is designed for perioperative nurses working in the ambulatory surgery setting who are seeking to improve and validate their professional competencies. The CNAMB certification assesses the knowledge and skills of a perioperative nurse with a minimum of two years of clinical practice in the ambulatory surgery setting. Earning the certification is a mark of distinction and recognizes the important role nurses 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.
CNAMB Certification
Exam Overview
3hr. 45min.
To complete the exam
200
Multiple choice questions
COMPUTER-BASED EXAM
Results are pass or no pass
CNAMB Certification
Subject Areas
Emergency Situations
5%
Instrument Processing and Supply Management
8%
Management of Personnel, Services, and Materials
9%
Professional Accountability
10%
Postoperative/Transfer of Care
10%
Intraoperative Care
20%
Preoperative Patient Assessment & Diagnosis
14%
Preoperative Plan of Care
12%
Communication
12%
CNAMB Requirements:
Check Your CNAMB Eligibility
CNAMB 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 CNAMB Handbook.
Get Certified
Take your exam and receive your result. Upon successful completion, you will earn your CNAMB® credential, valid for 3 years.
CNAMB 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.
CNAMB 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 CNAMB Handbook.
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
$400
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.
$400
CNAMB Application Fee
$175
CNAMB Exam Retake 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
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 CNAMB exam. Download our CNAMB Study Plan for reference material by subject area.
CCI periodically conducts test development activities to develop and maintain the CNAMB® exam consistent with accreditation standards. A complete list of test development committees is presented in CNAMB® task and knowledge statements.
Get Prepared
CNAMB Exam Resources
Certification Videos
Learn more about exam subject areas and test-taking strategies.
CNAMB Exam Study Outline
Develop a personalized study plan with CCI’s free preparation tool.
CNAMB Handbook
The complete guide on the CNAMB credential.
CNAMB Practice Questions
Explore the format and structure of CNAMB exam questions.
Get Prepared
CNAMB 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.
