Completely free
No account walls, no upsell
Free exam prep for every test — 20,000+ exam pages and 2.4M+ practice questions.
Open free CNOR prep resources ↗Exam facts & prep options
Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) Examination
The CNOR exam is CCI's computer-based certification exam for perioperative registered nurses with at least two years and 2,400 hours of perioperative experience: 200 multiple-choice questions (185 scored, 15 unscored pre-test) in 3 hours 45 minutes, delivered at PSI test centers or online via PSI remote proctoring, passing at a scaled score of 620 or higher on a 200-800 scale.
Official exam siteJump to prep options ↓
Questions200 multiple-choice questions: 185 scored, 15 unscored pre-test questions dispersed throughout the exam
Testing time3 hours 45 minutes; in-person test-center candidates get one 10-minute unscheduled break, remote-proctored candidates cannot take a break
ScoringPassing requires a total scaled score of at least 620; unanswered questions may count against the final score
Exam feeUSD 475 application fee including the first exam attempt (USD 40 discount if the candidate holds another active CCI credential); USD 175 retake fee per additional attempt; all fees non-refundable
Prep options
Study resources for CNOR
Independent prep
Courses and study resources
Exam overview
What to know before choosing your prep
- Who runs it
- CCI
- Category
- Specialty Nursing Certification
- Current version
- Current specification based on CCI's CNOR task and knowledge statements (job-analysis blueprint, seven subject areas); no public version label. CCI has adopted its 2024 Job Task Analysis, which streamlines the CNOR exam from seven to six consolidated competency areas launching in 2027
- Where it applies
- Global
- Exam languages
- English
- Score scale
- 200–800 scaled score
- Testing provider
- PSI
- Format
- Computer-based; delivered either in person at a PSI test center or online as a PSI Remote Secured Proctored Exam (RSPE)
- Availability
- Continuous year-round testing (Monday through Saturday excluding holidays at PSI test centers; remote exams schedulable 24/7) within a 12-month eligibility period; the first attempt must be scheduled and taken within 90 days of application approval
- Results
- Pass/fail notification shown on screen immediately after completing the exam; a detailed score report is emailed by PSI within 24 hours to failing candidates; the certificate is reflected in the CCI account within five business days
- Remote testing
- Available
Exam structure
One computer-delivered exam of 185 scored questions across seven subject areas — Pre/postoperative Patient Assessment and Diagnosis (15%, 28 q); Individualized Plan of Care Development and Expected Outcome Identification (8%, 15 q); Management of Intraoperative Activities: Patient Care and Safety (25%, 46 q) and Management of Personnel, Services and Materials (9%, 17 q); Communication and Documentation (11%, 20 q); Infection Prevention and Control of Environment, Instrumentation and Supplies (16%, 30 q); Emergency Situations (10%, 19 q); Professional Accountabilities (6%, 10 q) — plus 15 unscored pre-test questions
Where rules vary
Eligibility accepts 'a current, unrestricted RN license in the state or country where current practice occurs,' the credential is 'held by more than 40,000 nurses internationally,' and remote testing support for international candidates is provided; one uniform exam specification worldwide. PSI in-person test centers are concentrated in the U.S., but the Remote Secured Proctored Exam option is available online.
Eligibility
Current unrestricted RN license in the state or country of practice; currently working full- or part-time in perioperative nursing (clinical practice, education, administration, or research); minimum 2 years and 2,400 hours of perioperative RN experience with at least 1,200 hours intraoperative (reduced to 18 months and 2,400 hours for CFPN, CST, TS-C, or military-equivalent holders)
Retake policy
Unlimited retakes within the 12-month eligibility period, each requiring the USD 175 retake fee and a minimum 30-day interval between attempts; no new application during the eligibility period; after it expires, current eligibility criteria and fees apply to reapply