Ready to earn your CNOR? Get the eligibility rules, exam cost, study tips and a realistic timeline to become a certified perioperative nurse.

<p class="">The CNOR is the board certification for perioperative nurses. It shows hospitals, surgeons and your team that you have proven knowledge in surgical patient care. With two years of OR experience and a focused study plan, it is well within your reach.</p>
<p class="">Here is how to earn it, what it costs and how long it takes.</p>
<h2 class="">What Is the CNOR Certification?</h2>
<p class="">The CNOR is awarded by the Competency &amp; Credentialing Institute (CCI). It covers the full surgical journey, from pre-op assessment to infection prevention, patient safety and handoff after surgery. The credential is valid for five years.</p>
<h2 class="">Why Earn Your CNOR?</h2>
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
  <li class=""><strong class="">Stand out to employers:</strong> Many OR jobs list the CNOR as preferred, and it can make your application stronger.</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Build confidence:</strong> Studying sharpens your knowledge across every phase of surgical care.</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Open new doors:</strong> Most RN first assistant programs require the CNOR to get in.</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Show your commitment:</strong> It tells your team you take perioperative nursing seriously.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="">Who Is Eligible for the CNOR Exam?</h2>
<p class="">To sit for the CNOR, you need:</p>
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
  <li class="">A current, unrestricted RN license in the country where you practice</li>
  <li class="">Current full- or part-time work in perioperative nursing (clinical, education, administration or research)</li>
  <li class="">At least 2 years and 2,400 hours of perioperative nursing experience</li>
  <li class="">At least 1,200 of those hours in the intraoperative setting (inside the OR)</li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<p class="">If you already hold a CFPN, CST, TS-C or military equivalent, you may qualify with 18 months and 2,400 hours of experience as a perioperative RN.</p>
<h2 class="">How to Become a CNOR 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" target="_blank" class="">Licensure Guide</a> can help you stay on track.</p>
<h3 class="">Step 2: Build Your Perioperative Experience</h3>
<p class="">Work toward 2 years and 2,400 hours, with at least 1,200 hours in the OR itself. Keep a simple record of your hours and settings.</p>
<h3 class="">Step 3: Apply Through CCI</h3>
<p class="">Submit your application and fee online through CCI. Ask your employer first. Many hospitals offer reimbursement or vouchers for certification.</p>
<h3 class="">Step 4: Schedule Your First Attempt Within 90 Days</h3>
<p class="">Once approved, you have a 12-month eligibility window. Your first attempt must be scheduled and taken within 90 days of approval, so plan your study time before you apply.</p>
<h3 class="">Step 5: Study With a Plan</h3>
<p class="">Most nurses study for two to three months. Start with CCI’s exam content outline, then add practice questions and a review course. Focus extra time on areas you see less often in your daily work.</p>
<h3 class="">Step 6: Take the Exam</h3>
<p class="">The CNOR is a computer-based exam with 200 multiple-choice questions and 3 hours and 45 minutes to finish. Results are pass or no pass. If you do not pass, you can retake it 30 days after your last attempt, as often as needed within your 12-month window.</p>
<h3 class="">Step 7: Keep Your Credential Current</h3>
<p class="">Your CNOR lasts five years. To recertify, you earn 300 professional activity points (like continuing education, precepting or academic study) and work at least 500 hours in perioperative nursing during the cycle. Recertification by exam is no longer offered.</p>
<h2 class="">How Much Does the CNOR Cost?</h2>
<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="">Application fee (includes first exam attempt)</td>
      <td data-row="2" class="">$475</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="3" class="">Retake fee (per attempt)</td>
      <td data-row="3" class="">$175</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="4" class="">Recertification (every 5 years)</td>
      <td data-row="4" class="">$400</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="5" class="">Study materials</td>
      <td data-row="5" class="">Varies, from free resources to paid review courses</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>
<p class=""><strong class="">Tip:</strong> Ask your manager about certification reimbursement. Cross Country travel nurses also get unlimited free CE credits, which can help you earn points toward recertification.</p>
<h2 class="">How Long Does It Take to Become a CNOR?</h2>
<p class="">From the start of nursing school, most nurses earn the CNOR 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="">Perioperative experience:</strong> At least 2 years and 2,400 hours</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Study time:</strong> Two to three months</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">First exam attempt:</strong> Within 90 days of approval</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Recertification:</strong> Every five years</li>
</ol>
<h2 class="">What Is on the CNOR Exam?</h2>
<p class="">The exam follows a surgical patient’s full journey. Topics include:</p>
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
  <li class="">Pre-op patient assessment and planning</li>
  <li class="">Managing the patient during surgery</li>
  <li class="">Infection prevention and sterile technique</li>
  <li class="">Patient and staff safety, including counts and positioning</li>
  <li class="">Emergency situations in the OR</li>
  <li class="">Post-op handoff and discharge planning</li>
  <li class="">Professional accountability and teamwork</li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<p class="">Always check CCI’s current content outline, since topics and weights are updated over time.</p>
<h2 class="">CNOR Study Tips From the OR</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 cases to topics:</strong> Connect each surgery you work to an exam area</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Practice questions daily:</strong> Learn why wrong answers are wrong</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Study with your team:</strong> Quiz each other during turnovers or breaks</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Book your date early:</strong> The 90-day window keeps you on track</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="">Frequently Asked Questions About the CNOR</h2>
<h3 class="">Is the CNOR exam hard?</h3>
<p class="">It is challenging, but very passable with OR experience and steady prep. Practice questions are the best way to see if you are ready.</p>
<h3 class="">Can I take the CNOR with less than two years of experience?</h3>
<p class="">Most nurses need 2 years and 2,400 hours. Nurses who hold certain surgical credentials, like the CST, may qualify at 18 months.</p>
<h3 class="">Does the CNOR increase pay?</h3>
<p class="">Some hospitals offer a certification bonus or pay differential. Even where pay does not change, the CNOR can help you qualify for more competitive roles.</p>
<h3 class="">What comes after the CNOR?</h3>
<p class="">Many nurses use the CNOR as a stepping stone to becoming an RN first assistant.</p>
<h2 class="">Put Your CNOR to Work</h2>
<p class="">Your certification makes you a strong candidate for OR roles nationwide. Explore <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/travel" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="">travel OR 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>


CNOR Certification: Steps, Cost and Timeline

Cross Country

How to Become a Certified OR RN (CNOR): Steps, Cost and Timeline

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