BCEN certification covering emergency nursing practice across the full range of patient acuity.
Who it's for
Registered nurses practicing in emergency department settings, from fast-track to resuscitation — BCEN frames the CEN as recognition that you can competently manage the full breadth of ED acuity, not just one patient population.
What's covered
- Cardiovascular and respiratory emergencies
- Trauma and environmental emergencies
- Neurological and medical emergencies
- Genitourinary, gynecologic, obstetrical, and mental health emergencies
- Professional issues, prioritization, and triage
What to expect
Expect clinical scenario questions spanning the full range of ED presentations covered in BCEN's 11-domain content outline — the breadth is part of the challenge, since no single clinical area dominates the exam the way it might in a subspecialty credential.
How to prepare
BCEN offers official practice questions and study resources through its site, and many candidates supplement with ENA (Emergency Nurses Association) review courses; given BCEN's published 51.4% pass rate, plan for a meaningful, multi-week study block rather than a light review.
Certification details
- Certifying body: Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN).
- Eligibility: Unencumbered RN license (US, US territory, Canada, or Australia); 2 years of emergency nursing experience is recommended but not required.
- Exam format: 175 questions (150 scored, 25 unscored pretest), 3-hour time limit, computer-based at PSI centers or via live remote proctoring.
- Content outline: 11 domains spanning cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, GI, genitourinary/OB, mental health, medical, musculoskeletal/wound, HEENT, environmental/toxicology, and professional issues.
- Official pass rate: 51.4% (2025).
- Fee: $285 (member) / $380 (non-member).
- Recertification: Every 4 years; 100 continuing education hours required (at least 75 emergency-nursing clinical content), or retake the exam.