ABNN certification covering the care of patients with neurological and neurosurgical conditions across the care continuum.
Who it's for
Registered nurses with clinical experience caring for patients with neurological or neurosurgical conditions — ABNN's credential for nurses who want formal recognition of specialized neuro assessment skills, from cranial nerve exams to ICP management.
What's covered
- Neuroanatomy and assessment
- Stroke and vascular disorders
- Neurotrauma and critical care
- Professional practice
What to expect
With a reported pass rate around 56–62%, expect a genuinely challenging exam — 220 questions over 4 hours is one of the longer nursing certification exams, testing depth across neuroanatomy, stroke care, and neurotrauma rather than surface-level recall.
How to prepare
AANN (the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses) publishes the Core Curriculum for Neuroscience Nursing, the field's primary study reference, and offers review courses; given the exam's length and reported pass rate, most candidates budget more prep time for CNRN than for shorter nursing certification exams.
Certification details
- Certifying body: American Board of Neuroscience Nursing (ABNN).
- Eligibility: Unrestricted RN license and minimum 1 year (2,080 hours) of direct or indirect neuroscience nursing practice within the past 3 years.
- Exam format: 220 questions (20 unscored pretest items), 4-hour time limit, computer-based testing.
- Official pass rate: 62% average over the past 5 years; 56% in 2024.
- Fee: $300–$325 (AANN member) / $400–$425 (non-member), depending on payment method.
- Recertification: Every 5 years, via exam retake plus practice hours, or a combination of practice hours (4,160 full-time-equivalent, or 2,500 part-time) and continuing education hours (75 or 100 respectively).