CEN Exam

The Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) offers the Certification Examination for Emergency Nurses. With a successful exam attempt, the candidate will be a Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) for four years and may use the credential "CEN" for as long as the term is valid. To be eligible to take the exam, the candidate needs to have an up-to-date, unrestricted RN license or nursing certificate that is recognized in the USA. A BSN is not required. It is advisable to gain two years of experience in emergency nursing before taking the exam, but it is not mandatory.

The three-hour, computer-based CEN exam has 175 multiple-choice questions. Of these, 150 are scored. The remaining 25 are pre-trial questions to be used on future examinations. Candidates will receive their score immediately. If a candidate does not pass, the candidate may take the test again after three months have passed.

The subject areas of the Certification Examination for Emergency Nurses include:

21 questions on cardiovascular responsibilities
9 questions on gastrointestinal responsibilities
10 questions on genitourinary, gynecology and obstetrical responsibilities
6 questions on maxillofacial/ocular responsibilities
15 questions on neurological responsibilities
13 questions on orthopedic/wound responsibilities
6 questions on psychological/social responsibilities
18 questions on respiratory responsibilities
9 questions on patient care management responsibilities
11 questions on shock/multi-system responsibilities
15 questions on medical emergency responsibilities
7 questions on professional issue responsibilities
10 questions on substance abuse/toxicological/environmental responsibilities