CNOR Recertification
The rapid rate of change in the modern perioperative setting requires a conscious effort to maintain competency. When you recertify your CNOR credential, you demonstrate a continued dedication to perioperative excellence, an ongoing commitment to specialized knowledge, and a personal commitment to patient safety.
Overview
CNOR Recertification Cycle
Recertification Process
CNOR Recertification Steps
Confirm your recertification eligibility
Complete professional activities during your accrual period
Submit recertification application and fee
Begin next 5-year certification cycle
Eligibility
Recertification Eligibility Requirements
The following recertification eligibility requirements must be met at the time of application.
- Hold an active CNOR credential and current, unrestricted RN license.
- Currently working full- or part-time in perioperative nursing clinical practice, nursing education, administration, or research.
- Have worked a minimum of 500 hours in perioperative nursing within the accrual period. Of those 500 hours, 250 hours must be in the area of education, administration, research, or clinical practice that impacts intraoperative patient care.
Recertification
Accrual Period
Your accrual period is the time period in which you must complete recertification activities. It begins on January 1 of the year you became certified or recertified, and continues through December 31 of the fifth calendar year. Enter your initial certification year or last recertification year in the table below to calculate your accrual period.
Calculate Your Accrual Period
Dates populated are dependent on the accuracy of the certification or recertification year you entered. Accrual periods will not reflect Extension Year (if applicable). For personalized information, log in to your CCI account.
Recertification
Recertification Methods
Determine which recertification option is right for you, and complete professional development activities during your five-year accrual period. For more information on your available methods and options, attend one of our live recertification webinars. Please note: effective January 1, 2021, recertification by exam is no longer an option to validate continued competency.
Professional Activity points
Requirement: 300 Points
Engage in eligible professional activities during your accrual period to earn points toward your recertification. Earn 300 points in any of these categories to meet the requirement. Applications for recertification by professional activity points must be submitted on or before December 31 of your recertification year to prevent your credential from lapsing.
Healthcare-related degree-completion course (e.g. BSN, MSN, DNP, MBA)
Teaching a perioperative-related course for college credit
Visit CCI’s Store to complete professional activity assignments worth Points
Service as a board or committee member
Visit CCI’s Store to gain access to free case studies and best practice exercises worth Points
Develop, implement, and/or evaluate QI, QA, EPB or research projects
Continuing Education Contact Hours and Continuing Medical Education (CME) - AMA PRA Category 1
Visit CCI’s Store to complete free perioperative games worth Points
Attain or maintain accredited perioperative certification
Precepting or mentoring, including new employee orientation
Healthcare-related professional presentations
Visit CCI’s Store to gain access to our collaborative partners’ library of topics worth Points
Authoring and contributing to published articles, poster presentations, and dissertations
Visit CCI’s Store to complete free perioperative reflection exercises worth Points
Non-CE, in-person BLS, ACLS, PALS, and NRP training by the American Heart Association, Red Cross, or Military Training Network
Service on CCI’s test development committees, service on the CCI Recertification Committee, service as a CCI educational product volunteer, or service as a CNOR Certification Coach
Volunteer service at medically-related, under-served clinics or mission trips
For complete details on points activities, please review the CNOR Handbook.
Free Professional Points Activities
As your partner in recertification, CCI offers resources to simplify the process of completing your professional activities. The entire 300 points requirement can be met by completing free points activities available in the CCI Store.
Continuing Education Contact Hours
Requirement: 125 contact hours
Earn academic credit, obtain continuing education contact hours, or gain continuing medical education credits during your accrual period to meet recertification eligibility requirements. Earn 125 contact hours to meet the requirement. Applications for recertification by continuing education contact hours must be submitted on or before December 31 of your recertification year to prevent your credential from lapsing.
Contact Hours
Certificants can meet the recertification requirements by earning continuing education contact hours
from accredited, approved providers during the accrual period. Of the 125 contact hours requirement, 75 contact hours must be related to perioperative nursing. See the CNOR Handbook for a complete list of approved perioperative topics and providers.
Continuing Medical Education
Up to 50% of the 125 contact hours requirement may be met by using AMA PRA Category 1 CME
credits. CMEs must be completed during your accrual period.
Academic Credit
Up to 50% of the 125 contact hours requirement may be met by using academic credits. Academic
credits must be completed during your accrual period, and meet the following criteria.
- Courses must be required for a baccalaureate or higher degree, and taken for credit. Certificants
do not need to be enrolled in a formal degree program at the time the course is taken. - A grade of C or better must be achieved for each course.
- Courses must be sponsored by an accredited educational institution.
For complete details on recertification by continuing education contact hours, please see the CNOR Handbook.
Free Professional Points Activities
As your partner in recertification, CCI offers resources to simplify the process of completing your professional activities. Make sure to visit the CCI Store for free educational activities worth points towards your recertification requirements.
Recertification
CNOR
Recertification Guide
The CNOR Recertification Guide is designed to assist you in the recertification process and maintenance of your credential. Download the CNOR Recertification Guide, which includes professional activity logs to track your progress.
Recertification
Recertification Alternatives
Consider these options if you need more time to complete your professional activities, or are leaving the OR. Applications must be submitted by December 31st to prevent the credential from lapsing. For complete details on recertification alternatives, please see the CNOR Handbook.
CNOR Extension Year
Active CNORs unable to complete professional activities during the accrual period may apply for a one-year extension that will allow an additional year to complete activities. Apply for CNOR Extension Year by logging into your CCI account and completing the online application.
CNOR Emeritus Status
Retiring or ineligible perioperative nurses may preserve their CNOR credential by submitting a one-time fee for Emeritus Status. Emeritus Status entitles the nurse to use the designation CNOR(E). Apply for CNOR Emeritus Status by logging into your CCI account and completing the online application.
Recertification
Recertification Application and Fees
Recertification candidates may submit the online application beginning January 1 of the year they are due to recertify. An important reminder, credential-holders already have a CCI account. If you need assistance accessing your account, please contact us.
A $50 Early Bird Discount is available at checkout for CNOR recertification from January 1 - July 1 of your recert year.
GET PREPARED
Recertification Resources
Learn more about recertifying your CNOR and meeting recertification eligibility requirements with our complimentary resources.
CCI Staff Support
CCI’s nursing staff is available to answer questions about eligibility or preparation.
Need to recertify?
Due to Recertify your CNOR in 2023? Download the 2023 CNOR Recertification Checklist!
