CNOR Exam

The Competency and Credentialing Institute (CCI) offers the Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) Examination for certification purposes. CNOR certification is intended to distinguish a skilled RN, reinforce conscious applications of theory when caring for patients and augment a nurse's knowledge with ongoing education. With certification, candidates can demonstrate responsibility and ability to provide the best care. Certification helps demonstrate expertise in surgical nursing, and it gives potential employers a better understanding of a candidate's skills. The CNOR certification is valid for five years. A BSN is not needed to take the exam, but candidates must have two years and 2400 hours of experience as an operating room nurse. The test is computer-based and includes 200 multiple-choice items. Out of these questions, 15 will not be scored. Candidates will not know which questions are scored and which are not. Since variations of the test have different levels of difficulty, the final score is formed in a process known as equating. In order to pass, candidates need a minimum scaled score of 620. The actual number of questions answered correctly (raw score) on a passing exam will vary for the different tests given.

In this assessment, candidates must be able to assess the patient's health, form differential diagnoses, identify likely results, create a plan for medical attention, put a prevention plan into place, put a plan for the best physiological protection into practice, educate the patient and family, be reliable with patient rights and responsibilities, document perioperative events, assess how the patient is doing with the plan of care, manage people, manage tools and support services, communicate patient information, determine the plan for discharge, choose and utilize methods for cleaning, packaging, sterilizing and disinfecting, handle emergencies and be professionally accountable.

As your test day approaches, make sure that you have had plenty of time to study. Review a CNOR exam study guide or study using CNOR exam flashcards so that you strengthen any areas that might be more difficult for you on the test. You'll have the rest of your life to enjoy being successful on the exam, but you can only spend time between now and your test day to get prepared. Study hard and maximize your chances of success.