Ready to earn your med surg certification? Compare the CMSRN and MEDSURG-BC, plus eligibility, exam cost, study tips and a realistic timeline.

<p class="">A med surg certification shows hospitals, patients and your team that you have proven knowledge in caring for adult patients. With two years of experience and a focused study plan, it is well within your reach. There are two main options, and this guide helps you choose.</p>
<p class="">Here is how to earn your certification, what it costs and how long it takes.</p>
<h2 class="">What Are the Med Surg Certifications?</h2>
<p class="">There are two national board certifications for med surg nurses:</p>
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
  <li class=""><strong class="">CMSRN (Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse):</strong> Awarded by the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB)</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">MEDSURG-BC (Medical-Surgical Nursing Board Certified):</strong> Awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)</li>
</ul>
<p class=""></p>
<p class="">Both are respected and both last five years. The CMSRN does not require continuing education to apply.</p>
<h2 class="">H2: CMSRN vs. MEDSURG-BC at a Glance</h2>
<p class=""></p>
<table class="">
  <tbody class="">
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="1" class=""><br class="" /></td>
      <td data-row="1" class="">CMSRN</td>
      <td data-row="1" class="">MEDSURG-BC</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="2" class="">Awarded by</td>
      <td data-row="2" class="">MSNCB</td>
      <td data-row="2" class="">ANCC</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="3" class="">Practice hours</td>
      <td data-row="3" class="">2,000 med surg hours in the past 3 years</td>
      <td data-row="3" class="">2 years full time as an RN, plus 2,000 med surg hours in the past 3 years</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="4" class="">Continuing education to apply</td>
      <td data-row="4" class="">None</td>
      <td data-row="4" class="">30 med surg hours in the past 3 years</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="5" class="">Exam</td>
      <td data-row="5" class="">150 questions, 3 hours</td>
      <td data-row="5" class="">150 questions, 3 hours</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="6" class="">Testing window</td>
      <td data-row="6" class="">90 days</td>
      <td data-row="6" class="">120 days</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="7" class="">Exam cost (member / nonmember)</td>
      <td data-row="7" class="">$267 / $394</td>
      <td data-row="7" class="">$295 / $395</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="8" class="">Credential length</td>
      <td data-row="8" class="">5 years</td>
      <td data-row="8" class="">5 years</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>
<h2 class="">Why Earn Your Med Surg Certification?</h2>
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
  <li class=""><strong class="">Stand out to employers:</strong> Many hospitals list med surg certification as preferred.</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Build confidence:</strong> Studying deepens your knowledge across every body system.</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Grow your career:</strong> It can support clinical ladder, charge nurse and educator roles.</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Show your commitment:</strong> It tells your team med surg is a specialty, not just a stepping stone.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="">Who Is Eligible for the CMSRN Exam?</h2>
<p class="">To sit for the CMSRN, you need:</p>
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
  <li class="">A current, unrestricted RN license in the U.S., its territories or Canada</li>
  <li class="">2,000 hours of med surg practice within the past three years</li>
</ul>
<p class=""></p>
<p class="">MSNCB recommends about two full years of med surg experience before testing.</p>
<h2 class="">How to Become a Certified Med Surg RN in 7 Steps</h2>
<h3 class="">Step 1: Earn and Keep an Active RN License</h3>
<p class="">Your license must be current and unrestricted. If you work in more than one state, our <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/licensure-guide" rel="noopener noreferrer"  class="">Licensure Guide</a> can help you stay on track.</p>
<h3 class="">Step 2: Build Your Med Surg Hours</h3>
<p class="">Work toward 2,000 hours in med surg within a three-year window. Keep a simple record of your units and dates.</p>
<h3 class="">Step 3: Choose Your Certification</h3>
<p class="">Pick the CMSRN if you want no continuing education requirement to apply. Pick the MEDSURG-BC if you prefer ANCC or your hospital asks for it. If you choose the MEDSURG-BC, complete 30 hours of med surg continuing education first.</p>
<h3 class="">Step 4: Decide on Membership</h3>
<p class="">Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN) members pay less for the CMSRN. American Nurses Association (ANA) members pay less for the MEDSURG-BC. If you plan to test soon, membership can pay for itself.</p>
<h3 class="">Step 5: Apply and Schedule</h3>
<p class="">Apply online. For the CMSRN, you have 90 days to test after you receive your authorization. For the MEDSURG-BC, you have a 120-day window. Ask your employer first, since many hospitals cover certification fees.</p>
<h3 class="">Step 6: Study and Take the Exam</h3>
<p class="">Most nurses study for two to three months. Start with the official test outline, then add practice questions and a review course. Both exams have 150 questions (125 are scored), with three hours to finish. The CMSRN can be taken at a testing center or online with a remote proctor.</p>
<h3 class="">Step 7: Renew Every Five Years</h3>
<p class="">Both credentials last five years. To renew the CMSRN, you complete 90 contact hours of continuing education and 1,000 hours of med surg practice during the five years, or you retake the exam. The MEDSURG-BC renews through ANCC’s professional development requirements.</p>
<h2 class="">H2: How Much Does Med Surg Certification Cost?</h2>
<p class=""></p>
<table class="">
  <tbody class="">
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="1" class="">Cost Item</td>
      <td data-row="1" class="">Amount</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="2" class="">CMSRN exam, AMSN member</td>
      <td data-row="2" class="">$267</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="3" class="">CMSRN exam, nonmember</td>
      <td data-row="3" class="">$394</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="4" class="">CMSRN first-time retake</td>
      <td data-row="4" class="">$189 member / $315 nonmember</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="5" class="">CMSRN renewal by contact hours</td>
      <td data-row="5" class="">$225 member / $325 nonmember</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="6" class="">MEDSURG-BC exam, ANA member</td>
      <td data-row="6" class="">$295</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="7" class="">MEDSURG-BC exam, nonmember</td>
      <td data-row="7" class="">$395</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="8" class="">MEDSURG-BC renewal</td>
      <td data-row="8" class="">As low as $250 member / $350 nonmember</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>
<p class=""></p>
<p class=""><strong class="">Tip:</strong> Ask your manager about reimbursement. Cross Country travel nurses also get unlimited free CE credits, which can help with renewal hours.</p>
<h2 class="">How Long Does It Take to Become a Certified Med Surg RN?</h2>
<p class="">From the start of nursing school, most nurses earn med surg certification in about four to six years:</p>
<ol style="margin-left:20px">
  <li class=""><strong class="">Nursing school:</strong> About two years for an ADN or four years for a BSN</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Med surg experience:</strong> About two years to reach 2,000 hours</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Study time:</strong> Two to three months</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Testing window:</strong> 90 days (CMSRN) or 120 days (MEDSURG-BC)</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Renewal:</strong> Every five years</li>
</ol>
<h2 class="">What Is on the Med Surg Exam?</h2>
<p class="">Both exams cover the care of adult patients on med surg units, including:</p>
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
  <li class="">Heart, lung and kidney conditions</li>
  <li class="">Diabetes and other hormone conditions</li>
  <li class="">Stomach and digestive problems</li>
  <li class="">Infections and wound care</li>
  <li class="">Care before and after surgery</li>
  <li class="">Medication safety</li>
  <li class="">Patient education, discharge planning and teamwork</li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<p class="">Always check the current test outline from MSNCB or ANCC, since topics and weights are updated over time.</p>
<h2 class="">Study Tips From the Floor</h2>
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
  <li class=""><strong class="">Study in short bursts:</strong> 20 to 30 minutes on your days off adds up fast</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Link patients to topics:</strong> Connect each patient you care for to an exam area</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Practice questions daily:</strong> Learn why wrong answers are wrong</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Find a study buddy:</strong> Quiz each other on break or in a group chat</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Book your date early:</strong> A deadline keeps you on track</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="">Frequently Asked Questions About Med Surg Certification</h2>
<h3 class="">Which is better, the CMSRN or the MEDSURG-BC?</h3>
<p class="">Both are respected. The CMSRN costs a little less and does not require continuing education to apply. Check whether your hospital prefers one.</p>
<h3 class="">Do telemetry hours count?</h3>
<p class="">Many telemetry and step-down units care for med surg patients. Check MSNCB or ANCC rules to confirm your hours qualify.</p>
<h3 class="">Does med surg certification increase pay?</h3>
<p class="">Some hospitals offer a certification bonus or pay differential. Even where pay does not change, certification can help you qualify for more competitive roles.</p>
<h3 class="">What comes after med surg certification?</h3>
<p class="">Many med surg nurses move into critical care.</p>
<h2 class="">Put Your Certification to Work</h2>
<p class="">Your certification makes you a strong candidate for med surg roles nationwide. Explore <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/travel" rel="noopener noreferrer"  class="">travel med surg nursing jobs</a>, find <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/local" rel="noopener noreferrer"  class="">local and per diem shifts</a>, or learn <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/how-travel-nurses-identify-high-quality-assignments" rel="noopener noreferrer"  class="">how to spot high-quality assignments</a> before you sign. When you are ready, <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/apply-now" rel="noopener noreferrer"  class="">apply with Cross Country</a>.</p>


Med Surg Certification: Steps, Cost and Timeline

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How to Become a Certified Med Surg RN: Steps, Cost and Timeline

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