The Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) exam is
a voluntary certification administered by the Association of Rehabilitation
Nurses (ARN) to validate the qualifications, specialized knowledge, and
dedication to the continued education of a candidate in rehabilitation nursing.
Obtaining the CRRN certificate is not a required component
of your nursing career. However, the five-year certification demonstrates your
competence, skills, and advanced knowledge in the realm of rehabilitative care.
Becoming CRRN certified makes you more competitive to a potential employer and
highlights your dedication to your career.
Eligibility
The ARN established eligibility requirements for certification:
- Hold an unrestricted, current RN license for the
United States, its territories, or Canada; and - At the time of application, completion of one of
the following:- Five years preceding the exam, two years of
practice as a registered nurse in rehabilitation nursing; or
- Five years preceding the exam, one year as a
registered nurse in rehabilitation and one year of advanced study in nursing.
- Five years preceding the exam, two years of
You do not have to be a member of the Association of
Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) to take the CRRN, but members receive a discount on
the examination fee.
The application
process
Once you meet eligibility requirements, you will apply for
the examination online. Your application packet will include:
- Contact information, including email
- ARN membership number – if applicable
- Registered Nurse license number and issuing
state - Two references, including contact information,
verifying your experience- One reference must be from your immediate
supervisor
- One reference from a professional colleague
- If you are in private practice, contact ARN for
alternate arrangements
- One reference must be from your immediate
- Payment of the registration fee
ARN sends notification by email to candidates to register
for the exam after the application and payment are received.
Test design and cost
The CRRN exam consists of 175 multiple-choice,
computer-delivered questions. You will have three hours to complete the
questions in four content domains:
- Domain I: Rehabilitation Nursing Models and
Theories – 6% of the exam- Evidence-based practice, models, and theories
- Domain II: Functional Health Patterns – in
individuals with injury, chronic illness, and disability – 58% of the exam- Theories
- Physiology
- Assessment
- Standards of care and intervention
- Domain III: Function of the Rehabilitation Team
and Community Reintegration – 13% of the exam- Collaboration with teams to achieve
patient-centered goals
- Applying the nursing process to promote
community reintegration
- Collaboration with teams to achieve
- Domain IV: Legislative, Economic, Ethical, and
Legal Issues – 23% of the exam- Integration of legislation and regulations in the
management of patient care
- Delivering cost-effective patient-centered care
- Integration of ethical considerations and legal
obligations affecting nursing
- Quality and safety in patient-centered care
- Integration of legislation and regulations in the
The exam costs $285.00 for ARN members and $425.00 for non-members. Acceptable forms of payment include credit or debit card, eCheck, and third-party payment.
Delivery method and
location
The exam is a computer-based test and delivered at Castle
Worldwide Testing Centers. Centers are available worldwide, and each center has
specific testing days and times. Once you receive the email from ARN stating
you have successfully registered, you will schedule your exam directly with the
center.
Test Day
Plan to arrive at the testing center at least 15 minutes
before your scheduled appointment. You will need to provide your confirmation
letter and photo identification for admittance. Leave personal belongings at
home as you are not allowed to bring them into the testing area, and the center
may not have secured storage.
After you have signed in you will be directed to your
testing station. You cannot bring anything with you to your testing station,
and everything you need for the exam is provided. Take care to follow the
directions of the testing center staff and do not talk to other test takers. If
you are caught breaking the rules, you could be asked to leave, your exam
canceled and your fee forfeited.
Scoring
Your score consists of the number of questions you answered
correctly. There is no penalty for guessing; however, questions that are
incorrect or omitted are counted as incorrect responses. At the conclusion of
your exam, you will receive a score report. To pass the test, you must achieve
a scaled score report of 500. Your score report will include your pass or fail
status and information on your performance in the domains and subareas.
If you do not pass the examination, you can register to
retake the test during the next available testing window. You will have to
apply and pay the registration fee each time you retake the exam. Unlimited
retakes are allowed.
Candidates that pass the exam will receive their certificate and information about renewal approximately six weeks after the testing window closes. You must renew your certificate every five years.
How Can I Prepare for the CRRN Test?
That’s a great question. We’ve broken down the answer into three parts.
- Do yourself a favor and study. Do not walk in unprepared. We have recommended prep materials below, but that only helps if you actually try. Plus, studying is actually proven to be the best antidote to test anxiety.
- Take care of yourself. Make sure you’re eating well, exercising, and sleeping. All of these things are scientifically linked to brain performance. If you take care of your body, you’ll be helping your grades.
- Get a study guide or set of flashcards. Some people study better a certain way. Find your study strengths and make the most of them. We’ve tried to make it easy for you by tracking down the best study guide and flashcard set for your exam. Below you’ll see links to both!