Certified Nurse Operating Room Test
The Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) test is a certification for perioperative nurses who are looking to validate their knowledge, experience, skills, and professionalism. Although not required, the CNOR certification is highly regarded by hospitals and medical facilities worldwide. It gives nurses credibility and helps them gain self-esteem and confidence. Those with a CNOR certification are viewed as leaders in the operating room.
- If you are interested in taking the CNOR test, the first step is to assess your eligibility. To do so, you must hold a current, unrestricted nursing license. You must have two years and 2,400 hours of experience working in perioperative nursing in a staff capacity or in teaching, research, or administration. At the time you apply, you must be working at least part-time as a surgical nurse.
If you meet these requirements, the next step is to apply for the CNOR test. Tests are administered monthly. The general rule is to apply two months before the desired test date in order to meet the deadlines. The application process is done online, and you will need your personal information, social security number, birth date, college degree information, employer and supervisor contact information, RN license information, and work history. You must also pay a fee, which is $295 for members of Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) and $375 for non-members.
Once your application has been processed, and it has been determined that you meet the requirements, you will be asked to schedule your CNOR test. There are hundreds of testing locations throughout the country, and you can take your test six days a week, Monday through Saturday. On test day, you should plan to arrive 30 minutes early to check-in. You must bring a valid form of ID that includes your signature, such as a driver’s license, passport, or military ID. Do not bring anything else to the testing site. You will be provided a small locker for personal belongings such as a purse, wallet, and cell phone.
The CNOR test contains 200 multiple-choice questions that must be answered in three hours and 45 minutes. The test is computer-based, but is very easy to use even for those with no prior computer experience. The test assesses your knowledge of current perioperative procedures and skills. You should be prepared to answer questions about patient assessment and diagnosis, developing a plan of care, intraoperative activities, communication, transfer of care, cleaning and disinfecting, emergencies, management, and professionalism. Most of the questions (31 percent) are based on intraoperative activities.
You will find out the results of your CNOR test immediately after you complete it. If you pass, you will receive your certification within six weeks. Your certification will last for five years. If you do not pass, your score report will list the areas you need to improve upon so you can study those more closely if/when you decide to retake the CNOR test.
The CNOR is very comprehensive and intensive. Many nurses spend two to three months studying and preparing for the exam. There are many resources available to you such as content outlines, sample questions, prep courses, study kits, CDs, reference books, and practice tests. Some of these can be found online for free, while others require a fee. There are also assessment tests you can take to ascertain in which areas you score well and which ones need further review.