The Adult CCRN exam is administered by AACN Certification Corporation for eligible RNs and APRNs who care for acutely or critically ill adult patients. CCRN is a specialty certification, not a nursing license. The exam measures clinical judgment as well as professional caring and ethical practice in adult acute and critical care nursing.
125 scored
What Is the Adult CCRN Certification?
The CCRN (Adult) credential is designed for nurses whose practice involves acutely or critically ill adult patients. Nurses may qualify through one of several eligibility pathways depending on how they participate in critical care.
Direct Care
For RNs and APRNs who directly care for acutely or critically ill adult patients, including nurses working in settings such as ICUs, cardiac care units, trauma units, and critical care transport.
Tele-critical Care
For eligible RNs and APRNs who care for critically ill adult patients from a remote tele-critical care setting or through a combination of tele-critical and direct care.
Knowledge Professional
For eligible nurses who influence the care of acutely or critically ill adult patients without primarily or exclusively providing direct bedside care.
The eligibility requirements below focus on the Direct Care Pathway, which is the pathway most bedside critical care nurses will use.
Adult CCRN Eligibility Requirements
To qualify through the Direct Care Pathway, you must hold a current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license and satisfy one of AACN’s two clinical practice-hour options.
Two-Year Option
Complete at least 1,750 hours of direct care of acutely or critically ill adult patients during the previous two years. At least 875 hours must have been completed during the year immediately before applying.
Five-Year Option
Complete at least 2,000 hours of direct care of acutely or critically ill adult patients during the previous five years. At least 144 hours must have been completed during the year immediately before applying.
What Is on the Adult CCRN Exam?
The current Adult CCRN test plan applies to exams taken on or after November 12, 2025. The exam is divided into two major areas: Clinical Judgment and Professional Caring and Ethical Practice.
| Content Area | Exam Weight |
|---|---|
| Clinical Judgment | 80% |
| Cardiovascular | 13% |
| Respiratory | 12% |
| Endocrine; Hematology/Immunology; Gastrointestinal; Renal/Genitourinary; Integumentary | 21% |
| Musculoskeletal; Neurological/Behavioral; Psychosocial | 18% |
| Multisystem | 16% |
| Professional Caring and Ethical Practice | 20% |
Clinical Judgment
Clinical Judgment accounts for 80% of the Adult CCRN exam. These questions assess how well you recognize, interpret, and respond to the conditions encountered when caring for acutely and critically ill adult patients.
Acute coronary syndromes, dysrhythmias, cardiogenic shock, heart failure, cardiac surgery, tamponade, vascular disorders, and related interventions.
ARDS, acute respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism, mechanical ventilation complications, pneumothorax, pulmonary hypertension, and thoracic conditions.
DKA, HHS, diabetes insipidus, SIADH, adrenal insufficiency, thyroid disorders, and other endocrine emergencies.
Neurological emergencies, altered neurological status, intracranial disorders, seizures, trauma, and related critical care management.
Acute kidney injury, GI bleeding, hepatic failure, pancreatitis, coagulopathies, transfusion reactions, and other major systemic disorders.
Conditions involving multiple body systems, including shock states, sepsis, trauma, organ dysfunction, and complex critical care situations.
Professional Caring and Ethical Practice
The remaining 20% of the exam focuses on how nurses support patients, families, and healthcare teams while applying the AACN Synergy Model for Patient Care.
How Many Questions Are on the Adult CCRN Exam?
The Adult CCRN exam contains 150 questions and has a 3-hour time limit. Of those 150 questions, 125 are scored. The remaining 25 are unscored questions used to gather statistical information for possible use on future examinations.
You will not know which questions are scored and which are unscored, so you should treat every question as though it counts toward your final result.
How to Prepare for the Adult CCRN Exam
Adult CCRN Online Prep Course
If you want a structured way to prepare, the Mometrix Adult CCRN Prep Course combines review lessons, practice questions, flashcards, and instructional videos in one program.
Start Preparing for the Adult CCRN Exam
Use realistic practice questions to find your weak areas, then strengthen those topics with structured review.
Renewing Your CCRN Certification
Adult CCRN certification is maintained on a three-year cycle. For the Direct Care Pathway, nurses renewing an active certification must continue to meet AACN’s licensure and clinical-practice requirements.
Practice Hours
Complete at least 432 qualifying direct-care hours during the three-year certification period, including at least 144 hours during the 12 months before renewal.
Renew by CERPs
Complete 100 Synergy CERPs in the required categories during the certification period while meeting the applicable licensure and practice requirements.
Renew by Exam
Eligible certificants may instead choose to take and pass the applicable CCRN examination before their certification expires.
