OVERVIEW
CSSM Exam Overview
3hr.30min.
To complete the exam
180
Multiple choice questions
Computer-based EXAM
Results are pass or no pass
Subject Areas
ELIGIBILITY
Check Your CSSM Exam Eligibility
*Requirement dependent on CNOR status. CNOR certification is not a requirement of CSSM candidates.
Congratulations! Based on your responses, you are eligible to apply for CSSM certification.
Apply nowAPPLICATION PROCESS
CSSM Exam Application Process
01
02
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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
Month 2
Month 3
Month 4
APPLY
TESTING WINDOW
TESTING WINDOW
TESTING WINDOW
Certification Fees
CSSM Exam Fee
The long-term benefits of holding a credential often outweigh the cost of initial certification. Over the three-year CSSM certification cycle, the exam 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
$400
PRICE OF EXAM
Materials Questions are pulled from:
Guidelines for Perioperative Practice
AORN. (current edition). Guidelines for perioperative practice. AORN.
TEXT BOOK
Berry and Kohn’s Operating Room Technique
Phillips, N., & Hornacky, A. (Eds.). (2021). Berry and Kohn’s operating room technique (14th ed.). Elsevier.
TEXT BOOK
Alexander’s Care of the Patient in Surgery
Rothrock, J. C. (Ed.). (2023). Alexander’s care of the patient in surgery (17th ed.). Elsevier.
TEXT BOOK
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.
TEXT BOOK
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.
TEXT BOOK
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.
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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.
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