About the CRNFA Exam

The CRNFA exam consists of 180 multiple choice questions. Of the 180 questions, 150 questions are used to calculate your test score. The remaining 30 items serve as pretest questions, and do not affect your score. Pretest questions are dispersed throughout the exam and cannot be identified.

The exam must be completed in 3 hours and 45 minutes.

CRNFA Exam Subject Areas

CRNFA Exam Development

A job analysis and test outline have been developed by a Test Specifications Committee, in cooperation with NASC’s testing agency, Prometric. The job analysis describes the overall functions and responsibilities as well as the underlying knowledge and skills that are essential to ensure proficiency as a perioperative nurse. The CRNFA Exam Content Outline contains detailed information on the categories covered on the CRNFA exam. The exam items are developed by item writers and reviewed and validated by the Item Review Committee.

CRNFA Exam Details

• 180 multiple choice questions
• 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete the exam
• A knowledge-based exam which assesses the knowledge (what a nurse should know) and tasks (what a nurse should know how to do) of a RNFA with 2,000 hours of clinical practice in the OR.
• Computer-based test
• Each question has four answer options
• Only one answer is correct
• No multiple answers (i.e., “A and C”; “A, C, and D”, “All of the Above”)
• Can “mark” and “review” questions to return to later
• Allow one minute per question
• Answer all questions
• Complete the entire exam. The CRNFA exam will continue even if you have reached a passing score
• Current passing score is 620

CRNFA Study Plan

Click here to download the CRNFA Exam Study Plan.

CRNFA Testing Deadlines

NASC offers monthly testing and application deadlines to meet the needs of busy first assistants.

You select the month in which you want to take the CRNFA exam. Once your application has been approved, you will be able to schedule a date, time, and location that are convenient for you. The CRNFA exam is offered Monday through Saturday except major holidays. You may schedule your testing date any time during the three months after the month of your application. For instance, if you apply in January, then you may test any time during February, March or April.

CRNFA Exam Fees

Fees related to earning the CRNFA credential are below. All fees are subject to change without prior notice.

Changing Test Appointment within the Testing Window

A. If the earlier of is either:

1. 30 days prior to the end of your testing window OR
2. 30 days prior to your scheduled test date, THEN:

You may reschedule your test appointment for no fee. To do so, you must complete two steps:

1. Contact Prometric and cancel your original appointment.
2. Reschedule your appointment with Prometric to another date with the 90 day testing window.

B. If you are between 29 and 5 days prior to the end of the testing window or test date, THEN

You may reschedule your testing appointment for a $50 fee. You must complete two steps:

1. Contact Prometric and cancel your original appointment.
2. Reschedule your appointment with Prometric. The $50 fee will be charged each time you reschedule your appointment.

C. If you are 5 days prior to end of your testing window or test date, THEN

You are unable to reschedule or cancel. You must appear and sit for the exam or all fees will be forfeited.

Transfer to Next Testing Window

A. If the earlier of is either:

1. 30 days prior to the end of your testing window OR
2. 30 days prior to your scheduled test date, THEN:

You may transfer your test appointment to the next 90 day testing window for a $75 fee.

To do so, you must complete two steps:

1. Contact Prometric and cancel your original appointment.
2. Transfer from your testing window to the next testing window by contacting NASC (info@nascertification.org) to complete your transfer request. A $75 fee will be charged.

B. If you are between 29 and 5 days prior to the end of the testing window or test date, THEN

You may transfer your test appointment to the next 90 day testing window for a $125 fee. You must complete two steps:

1. Contact Prometric and cancel your original appointment. A fee of $50 will be charged.
2. Transfer from your testing window to the next testing window by contacting NASC (info@nascertification.org) to complete your transfer request. A $75 fee will be charged.

C. If you are 5 days prior to end of your testing window or test date, THEN

You are unable to transfer or cancel. You must appear and sit for the exam or all fees will be forfeited.

Withdrawal from Exam

A. If the earlier of is either:

1. 30 days prior to the end of your testing window OR
2. 30 days prior to your scheduled test date, THEN:

You may transfer your test appointment to the next 90 day testing window for a $75 fee. To do so, you must complete two steps:

1. Contact Prometric and cancel your original appointment.
2. Withdrawal of your application by contacting NASC (info@nascertification.org) to complete the withdrawal request. $75 of your exam fee is non-refundable.

B. If you are between 29 and 5 days prior to the end of the testing window or test date, THENYou may withdrawal from the exam for a $125 fee. You must complete two steps:

1. Contact Prometric and cancel your original appointment. A fee of $50 will be charged.
2. Withdrawal of your application by contacting NASC (info@nascertification.org) to complete the withdrawal request. $75 of your exam fee is non-refundable.

C. If you are 5 days prior to end of your testing window or test date, THEN

You are unable to withdraw. You must appear and sit for the exam or all fees will be forfeited.

Late for Testing Appointment / No Show

If you are late for your test appointment by more than 15 minutes, miss your scheduled appointment date, or never make an appointment your entire testing fee is forfeited.

Exam Retake

If you need to retake the CRNFA exam, you may reapply any time after the end of your testing window. The retake fee is the same as the regular exam.