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Open free CCRN (Pediatric) prep resources ↗Exam facts & prep options
CCRN (Pediatric) — Direct Care Eligibility Pathway
Find the current format, timing, scoring, fees, eligibility, and testing options for CCRN (Pediatric), with direct links to official sources.
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Questions150 multiple-choice items, of which 125 are scored and 25 are unscored (used to gather statistical data for future exams)
Testing time3 hours
ScoringPass/fail measured against a criterion-referenced passing point/cut score set by a modified Angoff standard-setting process; no numeric passing score is published (each candidate's performance is measured against a predetermined standard, not against other candidates)
Exam feeUSD 260 AACN member / USD 375 nonmember for the computer-based exam (payable in U.S. funds); retest USD 185 member / USD 290 nonmember; renewal by exam USD 185 member / USD 290 nonmember; group (10+) and organization voucher discounts available
Prep options
Study resources for CCRN (Pediatric)
Independent prep
Courses and study resources
Exam overview
What to know before choosing your prep
- Who runs it
- AACN Cert Corp
- Category
- Specialty Nursing Certification
- Current version
- CCRN Exam Handbook – Direct Care, July 2026 edition; Pediatric CCRN Test Plan applies to exams taken on and after November 19, 2025 (revised test plan resulting from the practice analysis study)
- Where it applies
- United States — national
- Exam languages
- English
- Testing provider
- PSI (PSI Testing Centers and PSI live remote proctoring)
- Format
- Computer-based multiple-choice exam, taken at a PSI Testing Center or via Live Remote Proctoring; paper-and-pencil administration is coordinated with AACN and PSI in some cases (e.g., testing outside the U.S.)
- Availability
- Year-round by computer-based testing, Monday through Saturday, at more than 300 testing centers across the U.S.; after applying, candidates receive an eligibility period in which to test — normally a 90-day window, currently a 180-day window
- Results
- Results show on-screen upon completion and a detailed score report is emailed within 24 hours; paper-and-pencil results are received by mail 6–8 weeks after testing; wall certificate mailed approximately 4–6 weeks after testing
- Credential validity
- CCRN certification is recognized for a three-year period; renewable by retaking the CCRN exam or by the Renewal by Synergy CERPs program (100 CERPs minimum) during the three-year period
- Remote testing
- Available
Exam structure
Single 3-hour multiple-choice exam on the pediatric patient population. Pediatric CCRN Test Plan: 80% Clinical Judgment — Cardiovascular 11%, Respiratory 13%, Endocrine/Hematology-Immunology/GI/Renal-GU/Integumentary 25%, Musculoskeletal/Neurological/Behavioral-Psychosocial 15%, Multisystem 17% — and 20% Professional Caring & Ethical Practice; items are based on the AACN Synergy Model for Patient Care
Where rules vary
U.S. nursing specialty certification: eligibility requires a current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license; eligible clinical hours must be completed in a U.S.-based or Canada-based facility or one determined comparable to the U.S. standard (Magnet designation or Joint Commission International accreditation); candidates testing outside the U.S. are coordinated case-by-case by AACN and PSI
Eligibility
Current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license plus direct-care clinical hours with acutely/critically ill pediatric patients: 1,750 hours during the previous two years (875 in the most recent year), OR 2,000 hours during the previous five years (144 in the most recent year); hours must be in a U.S.- or Canada-based facility or a facility comparable to the U.S. standard, focused on critically ill patients, and verifiable by a clinical supervisor or professional colleague
Retake policy
The same certification exam may be taken up to four times in a rolling 12-month period; after 12 months a new honor statement is required; a discounted retest fee (USD 185 member / USD 290 nonmember) is available until the exam is passed