FAQs

Updated August 6, 2025

After listening to feedback from RNAS-Cs who were unable to meet the 500 practice hours per year requirement, a committee was formed to review the RNAS-C recertification policies. The committee’s recommendations were incorporated into the new set of recertification requirements.

Where can I find information on the new requirements?

See the NASC website at: RNAS-C Recertification

Is the new recertification application available online?

Not yet. We are only able to provide one version of the application online, so the old version will be online for the remainder of 2026 to enable existing RNFAs who have already started their recertification to complete their application.

How do I recertify using the new method?

To submit your RNAS-C Recertification application:

Download the RNAS-C Recertification Application.
Mail the completed RNAS-C Recertification application to: National Assistant at Surgery Certification, 8547 E. Arapahoe Road, Suite J-262, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80112-1436, Fax to 866-681-6272, or email to application@nascertification.org. Please call NASC at 866-681-6272 to confirm your application was received.

Can I recertify by exam?

Yes, you will still need to submit a log showing 300 hours of practice, but you don’t need any additional points to recertify by exam. Click here for more information: Recertify RNAS-C by exam.

What if I don’t have enough practice hours to recertify?

If you are unable to recertify, you have the option to apply for a one-year extension.

What if my RNAS-C lapses?

You would no longer be certified. To become certified again, you would need to meet the eligibility requirements, reapply and pay the fees, and pass the exam.

Can I transition from RNAS-C to CRNFA?

Yes! As soon as you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for CRNFA. The practice hour logs that you prepare for RNAS-C recertification can also be used for your CRNFA application. The CRNFA application fee for active RNAS-Cs is reduced to $275. CRNFA is earned by passing the CRNFA Professional Portfolio. See the CRNFA Guide for more information.

Discontinuation of CNOR/CRNFA Dual Certification

On September 18, 2023, CCI announced that they would no longer honor the dual CNOR/CRNFA certification. This means that, effective immediately:

• When you earn a CRNFA credential, your CNOR credential will no longer be moved to the same recertification schedule as your CRNFA credential.
• When you recertify your CRNFA credential, your CNOR will no longer be recertified with your CRNFA credential.
• If you decide to extend your CRNFA recertification for one year, your CNOR will no longer be extended with your CRNFA credential.

As a result of this change, RNFAs who hold both the CNOR and CRNFA credentials must now submit professional development activities that meet the recertification requirements for each credential directly to the certifying organization and pay the current rates for recertification to that organization.

To help navigate the recertification process for your CRNFA credential, please see the following FAQs:

How much will it cost to renew my CRNFA certification?

It will cost $500 to renew your CRNFA certification. The cost of CRNFA recertification with the early bird discount (before July 1 each year) is $450.

What if my CNOR and CRNFA recertification timelines occur during different accrual periods?

If your CNOR and CRNFA credentials occur during different accrual periods, you are responsible for meeting the recertification requirements for each credential within the designated accrual period.

What do I do if I am not prepared to apply and pay for two recertifications in the same year?

To help certificants who are in this position, NASC has reduced the fee to extend your CRNFA credential for one year from $195.00 to $100.00. This will move your CRNFA recertification date forward one year. No contact hours or points are required for the extension, and you can extend your CRNFA once every 10 years.

To submit your application for a one-year extension:

• Complete the One-Year Extension Application Online (For CRNFAs expiring in 2025)
  Or
• Download the One-Year Extension Application (For CRNFAs expiring in 2025)
  Mail the completed CRNFA extension application to: National Assistant at Surgery Certification, 8547 E. Arapahoe Road, Suite J-262, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80112-1436, Fax to 866-681-6272, or email to application@nascertification.org. Please call NASC at 866-681-6272 to confirm your application was received.

Can I use the same activities to renew both my CNOR and CRNFA credentials?

Many of the recertification activities are the same for both credentials; however, to renew your CRNFA credential, you must meet all eligibility requirements and earn all contact hours or points within the designated accrual period.

Will I have to enter my recertification activities on both the CCI and NASC websites?

To make the recertification process as convenient as possible and eliminate the need to enter the information in both places, NASC will accept a printout of the contact hours you enter on the CCI website.

When submitting my recertification activities for the CRNFA credential, must I designate certain activities as intraoperative and other activities as perioperative nursing?

You are not required to designate contact hours as intraoperative or perioperative.

Can I use contact hours for recertification of my CRNFA credential?

You may complete your recertification activities using either contact hours or points. The number of contact hours or points required for CRNFA recertification is based on the number of RNFA practice hours you have completed.

• Contact Hours:
  • If you have completed 1,000 or more RNFA clinical practice hours, you must designate 150 of the 200 required contact hours as being related to the RNFA role.
  • If you have completed between 500 and 1,000 or more RNFA clinical practice hours, you must designate 225 of the 300 required contact hours as being related to the RNFA role.
• Points:
  • If you have completed 1,000 or more RNFA clinical practice hours, you must complete 400 activity points.
  • If you have completed between 500 and 1,000 RNFA clinical practice hours, you must complete 500 activity points.

Go to the CRNFA Recertification page: https://nascertification.com/crnfa/recertification/

CRNFA Professional Portfolio

What is the CRNFA Professional Portfolio?
The CRNFA Professional Portfolio is the new certification method for CRNFA certification. It allows the RNFA to demonstrate their knowledge and skills as an RNFA without sitting for a high-stakes exam.

Is there still a CRNFA exam?
The exam was discontinued at the end of 2020.

I have turned in my completed portfolio. When will I get my results?
Due to the response to the new portfolio, we currently have a large number of portfolios to review. Our goal is to notify you of your results within one month of submittal.

What happens if I don’t pass?
If you don’t pass, you will be given general comments and you will have the opportunity to revise your documents and resubmit. If your second submittal doesn’t pass, you will need to reapply, pay the fees, and start over.

I have been certified for years. Will this affect my recertification?
The vast majority of active CRNFAs recertify by contact hours or points. Those methods have not changed. NASC no longer offers recertification by exam.

Logging into your NASC account

How do I log into my NASC account?
Go to our website at www.nascertification.com, click the Login link at the top of the page, then click the “NASC Profile”.
If you are an existing RNAS-C or CRNFA certificant: You already have an account using the email address we have on file for you. Click the orange “Request a Password” button to set your password.
If you are a new RNAS-C or CRNFA applicant: Click the orange “Register as an Applicant” button to create an account.

Can I print my RNAS-C or CRNFA certificate?
Yes. Log into your account and click the “My Account” link at the top of the page. On your account page, click “Download Certificate”

Can I complete my certification or recertification application online?
Yes. When you log into your account, you will have the option to work on your application. Your application will be automatically saved when you log out.

Logging your contact hours (CEs)

Can I enter my contact hours on the NASC website?
Yes. Go to our website at www.nascertification.com and click the Login link at the top of the page.

Do I need to upload the certificates when I log my CEs?
Not unless your application is randomly selected for audit. However, we recommend uploading your certificates as you go. They will be stored in your Library, and can be accessed any time. If your application is selected for audit, the uploads will already be completed.

Will my AORN contact hours automatically show up on the NASC website?
No, we don’t have that functionality. However, you can log all of your AORN contact hours in one entry by attaching your AORN transcript. You do not need to enter each AORN activity separately.