ARN certification covering the care of patients with chronic illness and disability across the rehabilitation continuum.
Who it's for
Registered nurses with clinical experience in rehabilitation nursing practice — ARN's credential for nurses helping patients regain function and independence after major illness, injury, or disability, spanning physical, psychosocial, and systems-navigation skills.
What's covered
- Functional health patterns — 53% (the dominant domain, covering the bulk of hands-on rehab nursing care)
- Legislative, economic, ethical, and legal issues — 27%
- Function of the rehabilitation team and transitions of care — 12%
- Nursing models and theories — 8%
What to expect
With functional health patterns alone accounting for over half the exam, expect the bulk of your questions to center on hands-on rehabilitation nursing care — mobility, bowel/bladder, skin, and psychosocial function — rather than administrative or theoretical content.
How to prepare
ARN offers an official CRRN review course, study guide, and practice questions through its website; with a reported ~61% pass rate, most candidates study over several weeks, prioritizing functional health patterns given its dominant exam weighting.
Certification details
- Certifying body: Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN).
- Eligibility: Unrestricted RN license plus either 2 years of rehabilitation nursing practice within the last 5 years, or 1 year of practice combined with 1 year of advanced nursing study beyond a baccalaureate degree.
- Exam format: 175 questions, 3-hour time limit, computer-based testing.
- Content outline: Functional Health Patterns (53%), Legislative/Economic/Ethical/Legal Issues (27%), Function of the Rehabilitation Team & Transitions of Care (12%), Nursing Models and Theories (8%).
- Official pass rate: ~61% (2025 — 1,400 of 2,298 applicants).
- Fee: $300 (ARN member) / $460 (non-member).
- Recertification: Every 5 years; 60 continuing education points required, or retake the exam.