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Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN) Examination
The Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN) examination is the national board certification examination of the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) for RNs caring for in-center hemodialysis patients: a 150-question computer-based exam (about 25 unscored pilot items) completed in three hours at PSI test centers, scored criterion-referenced against a standard score of 95 (about 70% of questions answered correctly). Its test blueprint was revised 4/2026 and is effective 9/1/2026 following NNCC's 2024 practice analysis.
Official exam siteJump to prep options ↓
Questions150 questions, of which about 25 are unscored experimental/pilot items (about 125 scored)
Testing time3 hours
ScoringCriterion-referenced (Angoff standard setting): a standard score of 95 is required to pass, achieved by answering 70% of the test questions correctly
Exam feeUSD 350 exam fee (USD 300 for members of partner organizations — ANNA, ASN, National Kidney Foundation, Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs); the fee includes a USD 50 non-refundable application processing fee; one-time retake USD 200 (USD 175 partner members); optional USD 75 expedited review and USD 125 90-day extension
Prep options
Study resources for CDN Exam
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Exam overview
What to know before choosing your prep
- Who runs it
- NNCC
- Category
- Specialty Nursing Certification
- Current version
- CDN Test Blueprint revised 4/2026, effective 9/1/2026 (post-2024-practice-analysis program update; a prior preparation guide covers exams scheduled through 8/31/26)
- Where it applies
- United States — national
- Exam languages
- English
- Score scale
- Standard-score scale with 95 as the passing standard
- Testing provider
- PSI (exam-site search is hosted on PSI's candidate platform)
- Format
- Computer-based test at test centers (candidates take a short tutorial on the computer before the test; photo ID checked on site)
- Availability
- Open testing year-round at computer-based test centers; no application deadlines tied to fixed exam windows
- Results
- Score Report is available at the end of the examination; unsuccessful candidates also receive a breakdown of blueprint content areas
Exam structure
One 150-question computer-based exam mapped to the CDN test blueprint: A. Chronic HD Unit (ESRD) 52% of test (77-78 items), B. Concepts of Kidney Disease in Adults 32% (47-48 items), C. Chronic HD Unit (AKI & DGF) 8% (11-12 items), D. Water for Dialysis 8% (11-12 items); objectives span Pathophysiology/Complications 18%, Interventions 22%, Physiologic/Technical principles 20%, Teaching/Learning 10%, Medications 14%, Infection Control 8%, Collaboration/Administration 8%
Where rules vary
U.S. national certification exam; eligibility requires a U.S. RN license ('The applicant must hold a full and unrestricted license as a registered nurse in the United States, or its territories.'), and the exam is one uniform English-language blueprint-based form set.
Eligibility
Current full and unrestricted RN license in the United States or its territories; minimum 2,500 hours of experience as an RN in nephrology nursing caring for patients who require in-center hemodialysis (or educating/supervising such staff) within the two years before applying; 30 contact hours of approved nephrology nursing continuing education within the two years prior to applying
Retake policy
One retake opportunity within one year at a reduced rate (USD 200; USD 175 for partner members); the score report indicates how to apply at the reduced rate