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100+ Free COHN(C) Practice Questions

Pass your CNA Certification — Occupational Health Nursing (COHN(C)) (Canada) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: COHN(C) Exam

~165

Official MCQ Items

CNA Specialty Exam Outline

4 hours

Exam Duration

CNA Exam Sitting

CAD $588

Member Exam Fee

CNA 2026 Fee Table

5 years

Renewal Cycle

CNA Certification

1,950 hrs

Option 1 Practice Requirement

CNA Certification Eligibility

COHN(C) is CNA's specialty certification exam for Canadian occupational health nursing. Expect approximately 160–165 multiple-choice questions in a 4-hour sitting, with criterion-referenced pass/fail scoring. 2026 application fees are CAD $588 (member) or $780 (non-member) plus exam-writing delivery fees. This free 100-question practice test follows the official blueprint competencies.

Sample COHN(C) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your COHN(C) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the primary core philosophy of the Internal Responsibility System (IRS) in Canadian occupational health and safety legislation?
A.Safety is solely the responsibility of the designated occupational health nurse and the safety officer.
B.Employers bear 100% of the safety burden, while employees have no legal obligations.
C.Everyone in the workplace shares responsibility for health and safety according to their authority and ability.
D.Government inspectors are primarily responsible for identifying day-to-day hazards in the workplace.
Explanation: The Internal Responsibility System (IRS) is the foundation of OHS legislation across Canada. It establishes that safety is a shared responsibility among employers, supervisors, and workers. Each group has specific roles and duties to collaborate in identifying and controlling hazards, creating a self-regulating safety culture.
2In Canada, under provincial and federal OHS legislation, workers are granted three fundamental rights. Which of the following is one of these three rights?
A.The right to choose their own personal protective equipment manufacturer.
B.The right to refuse unsafe work without fear of disciplinary action.
C.The right to demand salary compensation for working in hazardous conditions.
D.The right to veto employer operational and production decisions.
Explanation: The three fundamental rights of workers in Canadian OHS legislation are: the right to know (about workplace hazards), the right to participate (in health and safety activities, e.g., via the JHSC), and the right to refuse unsafe work. The right to refuse ensures workers can protect themselves from imminent danger without retaliation or disciplinary action.
3Which Canadian federal legislation regulates the privacy of employee personal information and health records in the private sector across provinces that do not have substantially similar legislation?
A.The Canada Health Act
B.The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
C.The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
D.The Canadian Human Rights Act
Explanation: The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) is the federal privacy law that applies to private-sector organizations across Canada unless a province has enacted 'substantially similar' privacy legislation (such as Alberta's PIPA or BC's PIPA). It governs how organizations collect, use, and disclose personal information, including employee health data.
4What is the primary role of an Occupational Health Nurse (OHN) in relation to the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) in a workplace?
A.Serving as the permanent, voting employer co-chair of the committee.
B.Exercising sole authority to discipline workers who violate committee recommendations.
C.Acting as a professional advisor, facilitator, and resource person to the committee.
D.Investigating and resolving employee payroll grievances related to safety meetings.
Explanation: An Occupational Health Nurse (OHN) typically acts as an objective professional advisor, resource, and facilitator to the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC). While they may occasionally sit on the committee, their main function is to provide expert clinical and ergonomic input, hazard data summaries, and health surveillance trends to help the committee make informed decisions.
5According to the Canadian Occupational Health Nurses Association (COHNA-ACIIST), which of the following is a core standard of professional practice for an OHN?
A.Maximized company profitability and cost reductions.
B.Exclusive loyalty to management's operational interests.
C.Competency in the design, delivery, and evaluation of occupational health services.
D.Direct prescription of medications to replace the need for community family doctors.
Explanation: COHNA-ACIIST standards emphasize that a qualified OHN must demonstrate competence in planning, implementing, and evaluating occupational health programs and services. These standards focus on worker health promotion, clinical surveillance, hazard management, and professional ethical conduct rather than company profit margins.
6How does the scope of practice of an Occupational Health Nurse (OHN) differ from that of a general community health nurse?
A.OHNs are legally permitted to perform surgery in workplace clinics.
B.OHNs focus on the interaction between worker health, the work environment, and OHS legislation.
C.General community health nurses do not require professional registration with provincial colleges.
D.OHNs work exclusively with pediatric populations in industrial settings.
Explanation: OHNs have a specialized scope that focuses on the relationships between workers, their work environments, and work-related hazards. They apply principles of toxicology, ergonomics, occupational hygiene, and disability management, and must navigate complex OHS legislation (such as workers' compensation and human rights laws), which distinguishes them from general community nurses.
7An employer requests the complete clinical chart of an employee who recently underwent a spirometry test due to workplace exposure. Which action by the Occupational Health Nurse (OHN) best aligns with ethical and legal guidelines?
A.Provide the complete clinical chart immediately since the employer paid for the testing.
B.Provide only a summary of the employee's fitness-for-duty and restrictions, withholding detailed clinical findings unless explicit written consent is obtained.
C.Refuse to provide any information to the employer, citing absolute doctor-patient confidentiality.
D.Post the medical records on the company's internal intranet for the health and safety team to review.
Explanation: Under privacy laws (like PIPEDA) and nursing ethical guidelines, an OHN must protect the confidentiality of medical records. The employer is only entitled to know the employee's functional abilities, fitness-for-duty, and required accommodations. Detailed clinical charts, diagnoses, and test results cannot be shared without the explicit, written consent of the employee.
8Which of the following operations falls under the jurisdiction of the Canada Labour Code (Part II) for occupational health and safety?
A.A local retail clothing outlet in a suburban mall.
B.A provincially funded elementary school.
C.An interprovincial trucking company and railway system.
D.A municipal public library network.
Explanation: The Canada Labour Code (Part II) regulates occupational health and safety for federally regulated industries. This includes interprovincial transport (trucking, railways, airlines), telecommunications, banks, federal Crown corporations, and the federal public service. Retail, schools, and municipal entities fall under provincial OHS legislation.
9A company implements a policy of mandatory post-incident drug testing. What is the OHN's responsibility regarding informed consent before collecting a urine sample?
A.Collect the sample without explanation, as the company policy overrides individual consent.
B.Obtain written informed consent, explaining the purpose of the test, how the results will be used, and the consequences of refusal.
C.Instruct the supervisor to force the employee to sign the consent form under threat of immediate termination.
D.Perform the test using a cup that conceals the drug strip, telling the worker it is a routine urinalysis for glucose.
Explanation: Informed consent is a mandatory requirement for any medical testing, including drug screens. The OHN must ensure the worker is fully informed of the test's scope, who will receive the results, and the voluntary nature of the test (including the workplace consequences of refusing). The OHN cannot coerce, force, or deceive the employee.
10In most provincial jurisdictions in Canada, at what minimum employee threshold does OHS legislation mandate the establishment of a Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC)?
A.5 employees
B.20 employees
C.100 employees
D.500 employees
Explanation: Under most provincial OHS acts (such as Ontario's OHSA and BC's Workers Compensation Act), a workplace with 20 or more regularly employed workers must establish a Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) consisting of both worker and management representatives.

About the COHN(C) Exam

The Certified in Occupational Health Nursing (Canada) — COHN(C) — credential is the Canadian Nurses Association specialty certification for occupational health nurses. The computer-based exam assesses competencies of a fully competent practising occupational health nurse with substantial specialty experience in Canada. The blueprint organizes competencies into five major categories: Occupational Health Nursing Practice and Professional Roles; Workplace Hazard Identification, Assessment, and Control; Health Surveillance and Clinical Programs; Disability and Case Management; and Health Promotion, Wellness, and Safety Programs. This practice bank provides original questions weighted to the official competency guidelines.

Assessment

Approximately 160–165 multiple-choice questions; about 60–70% independent items and 30–40% case-based sets. Items target knowledge/comprehension (10–20%), application (50–60%), and critical thinking (25–35%).

Time Limit

Approximately 4 hours for the specialty certification sitting.

Passing Score

Criterion-referenced pass/fail (CNA standard setting)

Exam Fee

CAD $588 member / $780 non-member application fee, plus $85 ProctorU or $110 in-person appointment fee; rewrite $378 / $500 (taxes extra). (Canadian Nurses Association (CNA))

COHN(C) Exam Content Outline

18%

Occupational Health Nursing Practice and Professional Roles

Scope of practice, ethical principles, Canadian OHS legislation (federal/provincial), human rights code, privacy laws (PIPEDA), and professional standards.

22%

Workplace Hazard Identification, Assessment, and Control

Chemical, physical, biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial hazards, hierarchy of controls, job hazard analyses, and safety audits.

20%

Health Surveillance and Clinical Programs

Pre-placement and fitness-for-duty assessments, biological monitoring, audiometric testing, spirometry, and clinical monitoring.

22%

Disability and Case Management

Return-to-work planning, accommodations, provincial workers' compensation boards (WCB), duty to accommodate, and rehab coordination.

18%

Health Promotion, Wellness, and Safety Programs

Employee assistance programs (EAPs), mental health (CSA Z1003 Standard), workplace immunization, emergency response, and wellness education.

How to Pass the COHN(C) Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Criterion-referenced pass/fail (CNA standard setting)
  • Assessment: Approximately 160–165 multiple-choice questions; about 60–70% independent items and 30–40% case-based sets. Items target knowledge/comprehension (10–20%), application (50–60%), and critical thinking (25–35%).
  • Time limit: Approximately 4 hours for the specialty certification sitting.
  • Exam fee: CAD $588 member / $780 non-member application fee, plus $85 ProctorU or $110 in-person appointment fee; rewrite $378 / $500 (taxes extra).

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

COHN(C) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Align your study schedule with the five main blueprint categories, prioritizing high-yield areas like disability management and hazard control.
2Review Canadian occupational health and safety legislation, including provincial acts (e.g., Ontario OHSA, BC Workers Compensation Act) and the Canada Labour Code (Part II).
3Master hierarchy of controls (elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, PPE) and apply them to chemical, physical, and ergonomic workplace scenarios.
4Understand return-to-work (RTW) planning and accommodations, including provincial workers' compensation board processes and the legal duty to accommodate up to undue hardship.
5Familiarize yourself with the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (CSA Z1003) for psychosocial safety questions.
6Practice both independent multiple-choice questions and clinical scenario-based cases to build stamina for the 4-hour sitting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is COHN(C)?

COHN(C) stands for Certified in Occupational Health Nursing (Canada). It is the national specialty nursing certification credential administered by the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) for registered nurses specializing in occupational health and safety.

How many questions are on the CNA Occupational Health Nursing exam?

The official exam consists of approximately 160–165 multiple-choice questions, which includes both independent questions and case-based scenario questions.

How long is the COHN(C) exam?

You are given approximately 4 hours (240 minutes) to write the computer-based exam, which can be taken remotely via ProctorU or in person at a Meazure Learning testing center.

What is the cost of the exam in 2026?

The initial application fee is CAD $588 for CNA members and CAD $780 for non-members. Additionally, there is a writing appointment booking fee of CAD $85 for online proctoring or CAD $110 for in-person writing.

What are the eligibility requirements for the COHN(C) exam?

Candidates must be registered nurses (RNs) with a current Canadian registration and meet either Option 1 (1,950 hours of specialty practice in the last 5 years) or Option 2 (1,000 hours of practice plus 300 hours of formal specialty education) to be eligible.

How long is the certification valid?

The certification is valid for a five-year term. It can be renewed by submitting a record of continuous learning hours (typically 100 hours over 5 years) or by rewriting the certification exam.