Exam guide
CCRN (Adult) Exam Guide
Format, the November 2025 test plan, eligibility and an 8-week study plan
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The exam at a glance
| Feature | CCRN (Adult) |
|---|---|
| Items | 150: 125 scored, 25 unscored pretest |
| Time | 3 hours (about 72 seconds per item) |
| Item type | Multiple choice, 4 options, one answer |
| Format | Fixed length, not adaptive; bookmark and go back |
| Passing standard | 83 of 125 scored items (since 11/12/2025) |
| Pass rate | 72.02% first-time in 2025 (mostly the previous exam) |
| Fee | $260 member, $375 nonmember |
| Retest | $185 member, $290 nonmember; up to 4 tries in 12 months |
| Where | PSI testing center or live remote proctoring |
| Results | On screen; emailed report by content area |
What is on it
Test plan for exams from November 12, 2025, based on a 2024 study of practice. Adult patients only.
| Content area | Now | 2020 plan |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Judgment (total) | 80% | 80% |
| Cardiovascular | 13% | 17% |
| Respiratory | 12% | 15% |
| Endo, Heme, GI, Renal, Integumentary | 21% | 20% |
| Musculoskeletal, Neuro, Behavioral | 18% | 14% |
| Multisystem | 16% | 14% |
| Professional Caring and Ethical Practice | 20% | 20% |
Who can take it
- Current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license
- Two-year option: 1,750 hours with acutely/critically ill adults in 2 years, 875 in the most recent year
- Five-year option: 2,000 hours over 5 years, 144 in the most recent year
- Most hours, overall and in the year before applying, must be with critically ill patients
- Facility in the U.S. or Canada, or elsewhere with Magnet or JCI status
- Orientation counts only when you hold the assignment
- Educators, managers, APRNs and preceptors may count bedside supervision if directly involved in care
Acuity, not unit name, decides: ICU, ED, trauma, flight and nurse anesthesia hours can count. Other pathways: Tele-critical Care, Knowledge Professional. Testing window: currently 180 days (normally 90).
How to study: 8 weeks
- Week 1: baseline Mock Exam, then Cardiovascular. One-Pagers: Rhythm Gallery, ACLS Algorithms, Hemodynamic Normals, IABP Management, Vasopressors and Inotropes.
- Week 2: Respiratory. One-Pagers: Ventilator Modes, Capnography.
- Weeks 3 to 4: Endo, Heme, GI, Renal and Integumentary.
- Week 5: Musculoskeletal, Neuro and Behavioral. One-Pager: Sedation Scales.
- Week 6: Multisystem. One-Pagers: Sepsis Bundle, Shock Types, ABG Interpretation, Electrolyte Imbalances.
- Week 7: Professional Caring practice, a second Mock Exam, then Weakest Subject and Missed Questions.
- Week 8: final Mock Exam early, then Daily Review and Trouble Questions only. Rest the day before.
Test-day tips
- Current government photo ID with signature, name matching your AACN record; no military or temporary ID
- Schedule 24+ hours ahead; reschedule or cancel up to 48 hours before
- Testing center: over 15 minutes late means no admission
- Remote: check in 15 to 30 minutes early (no entry if over 30 minutes late); check-in can take an hour; run PSI's Tutorial Test; digital notepad only
- Learn generic drug names; AACN is moving to generic-only items
- Answer every item; guessing is not penalized
- Up to two 5-minute breaks; the clock keeps running
Official resources
- CCRN Exam Handbook, Direct Care (July 2026): test plan, testable actions, sample questions, bibliography
- Certification Exam Policy Handbook (September 2026): scheduling and exam-day rules
- AACN Practice Exam: free 30-question trial; 150 questions for $35 member, $45 nonmember
Selected titles from AACN's item-validation bibliography:
- Hartjes, AACN Core Curriculum for Progressive and Critical Care Nursing, 8th ed. (2022)
- Urden et al., Critical Care Nursing: Diagnosis and Management, 10th ed. (2025)
- ELSO Red Book, 6th ed. (2022)
It still lists the AHA 2020 CPR and ECC Guidelines, so items may not reflect AHA 2025 changes yet.
CCRN® is a registered service mark of AACN Certification Corporation. ICU Basics is not affiliated with or endorsed by AACN or AACN Certification Corporation.
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Sources
- AACN Certification Corporation. CCRN Exam Handbook – Direct Care Eligibility Pathway (Adult, Pediatric, Neonatal). July 2026. Link
- AACN Certification Corporation. Adult CCRN Test Plan. Applies to exams taken on and after November 12, 2025. Link
- AACN Certification Corporation. Adult CCRN Exam Bibliography. Applies to exams taken on and after November 12, 2025. Link
- AACN Certification Corporation. Adult CCRN/CCRN-E/CCRN-K Test Plan. Applies to exams taken on or after March 25, 2020. Link
- AACN Certification Corporation. Certification Exam Policy Handbook. September 2026. Link
- AACN. Certification Exam Statistics and Cut Scores. Link
- AACN. CCRN (Adult) – Direct Care Pathway (Get Certified page). Link
- AACN. Frequently Asked Questions: CCRN Certification (Direct Care Pathway). Link
- AACN. Certification Practice Exams. Link
- AACN Newsroom. Revised CCRN Certification Exams Launch Nov. 12, 2025. Link
- American Heart Association Newsroom. CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and the 2025 Updated Guidelines. Link