CNRN Exam Eligibility and Fees

Candidate Handbook and Application

The 2012 CNRN Handbook and Application must be completed in its entirety and received by the ABNN Office no later than 5pm CT of the given deadline for each window.

Eligibility Criteria

The CNRN Examination is offered three times a year, in March, July, and October, in a computer-based testing (CBT) format at approximately 200 sites throughout the United States and Canada.

In order to sit for the CNRN Examination, candidates must meet all of the following criteria:

1. The candidate must have current licensure as a registered nurse valid through the date of the examination.
2. The candidate must have at least 2 years' full-time (or 4,160 hours) experience in either direct or indirect neuroscience nursing practice during the past 5 years.

Direct neuroscience nursing practice is defined as involvement in the nursing process in a clinical setting where the nursing actions and judgments are focused on a particular individual, family or group of individuals where there is continuing professional responsibility and accountability for the outcomes of these actions.

Indirect neuroscience nursing practice is defined as involvement that includes time spent in clinical supervision of students or staff, in research or consultation.

Neuroscience nursing experience is not limited to clinical practice. Consultants, researchers, administrators, or educators also qualify to sit for the examination, provided they meet the above requirements.

Examination Application Fees

AANN Member: $285
Nonmember: $380
Join AANN and Register: $393 (prior to December 31, 2011); $399 (after January 1, 2012)

Payment must accompany the certification application. Check or money order should be payable to the American Board of Neuroscience Nurses (ABNN). If you choose the "Join AANN and Register" option, ABNN will automatically forward your demographic information and included $108 membership fee to AANN. Visit www.AANN.org to view the benefits of AANN membership.

If a testing window is not selected on the examination application, applicants will be automatically registered for the next examination administration.