critical care nursing exam

CCRN (Adult) – Direct Care Eligibility Pathway

CCRN ® (Adult) is a specialty certification. The Direct Care Eligibility Pathway is for nurses who provide direct care to acutely/critically ill adult patients regardless of their physical location. Nurses interested in this certification pathway may work in areas such as intensive care units, cardiac care units, trauma units or critical care transport/flight.

This certification is accepted by the Magnet Recognition Program ® .

Initial Eligibility Requirements & Fees

A current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license is required. An unencumbered license is not currently being subjected to formal discipline by the board of nursing in the state(s) in which the nurse is practicing and has no provisions or conditions that limit the nurse’s practice. Provisions or conditions may include, but are not limited to, direct supervision of practice, drug administration limitations and/or practice area exclusions.

Candidates must complete one of the following clinical practice hour requirement options:

Two-Year Option

Practice as an RN or APRN for 1,750 hours in direct care of acutely/critically ill adult patients during the previous two years, with 875 of those hours accrued in the most recent year preceding application

Five-Year Option

Practice as an RN or APRN during the previous five years with a minimum of 2,000 hours in direct care of acutely/critically ill adult patients, with 144 of those hours accrued in the most recent year preceding application

• Must be completed in a U.S.-based or Canada-based facility or in a facility determined to be comparable to the U.S. standard of acute/critical care nursing practice.
• Are those spent actively providing direct care to acutely/critically ill adult patients or supervising nurses or nursing students at the bedside of acutely/critically ill adult patients, if working as a manager, educator, preceptor or APRN. The majority of practice hours for exam eligibility must be focused on critically ill patients.
• Are verifiable by your clinical supervisor or professional colleague (RN or physician). Contact information must be provided for verification of eligibility related to clinical hours, to be used if you are selected for audit.
• For complete eligibility requirements, refer to the CCRN Exam Handbook – Direct Care Pathway.

AACN Members

CCRN Exam Handbook

Direct Care Pathway

• • Detailed Eligibility Requirements
• • Test Plan/Testable Nursing Actions
• • Sample Questions
• • Products for CCRN Exam Preparation

Exam Policy Handbook

• • Exam Rescheduling and Cancellation
• • What to Expect on the Day of Your Exam
• • Name and Address Changes
• • Code of Ethics/Upholding the Value of Certification

How to Prepare

Exam Resources for CCRN Adult – Direct Care Pathway

Online practice exam providing realistic test experience with randomized questions, correct answer rationales and exam scores

In-depth certification review presented by national experts, with CE available upon completion

Additional AACN study resources to assist you in preparing for certification

AACN Certification Corporation does not approve, endorse, or require for eligibility use of any specific exam preparation products.

Is your renewal date approaching? Be prepared – find out more about CCRN Adult Renewal Options.

CCRN Information