200+ Free CNOR Practice Questions
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Key Facts: CNOR Exam
200
Total Questions
CCI CNOR Handbook
185 + 15
Scored + Unscored
CCI CNOR Handbook
3h 45m
Exam Time
CCI CNOR Handbook
620/800
Passing Score
CCI scoring scale
34%
Intraoperative Domain
Largest section
$295/$375
Member/Nonmember Fee
CCI fee schedule
5 years
Certification Valid
CCI recertification policy
CCI's CNOR exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions (185 scored + 15 unscored) delivered over 3 hours and 45 minutes. The exam uses scaled scoring from 200-800, with a passing score of 620. The seven subject areas are weighted: Preoperative Patient Assessment (27%), Intraoperative Activities (34%), Infection Control (16%), Postoperative Care (10%), Communication/Education (8%), and Professional Accountability (5%). CCI recommends 2+ years of perioperative nursing experience before testing.
About the CNOR Exam
CNOR is CCI's specialty certification for perioperative nurses demonstrating competency in preoperative patient assessment, intraoperative patient care and safety, infection control and sterilization, postoperative care and education, communication and documentation, and professional accountability in surgical settings.
Questions
200 scored questions
Time Limit
3 hours 45 minutes
Passing Score
620/800 (scaled score)
Exam Fee
$295-375 (CCI (Competency & Credentialing Institute))
CNOR Exam Content Outline
Preoperative Patient Assessment & Management
Patient health history, allergies, culture considerations, positioning risks, Universal Protocol (site marking, time out), informed consent, and preoperative teaching
Intraoperative Patient Care & Safety
Environmental hazards, positioning and comfort measures, skin antisepsis and draping, anesthesia monitoring, specimen handling, and medical device safety
Infection Prevention & Control
Sterilization methods (steam, chemical, low-temp), sterile technique and asepsis, surgical attire, surgical conscience, and quality control for sterilization
Postoperative Patient Care
PACU handoffs and assessment, discharge education, wound care, and follow-up considerations
Communication, Documentation & Education
Interprofessional communication, SBAR handoffs, patient/family education, informed consent process, and accurate documentation
Professional Accountability
AORN guidelines, legal/ethical issues (consent, HIPAA, abandonment), evidence-based practice, and professional standards
How to Pass the CNOR Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 620/800 (scaled score)
- Exam length: 200 questions
- Time limit: 3 hours 45 minutes
- Exam fee: $295-375
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
CNOR Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the CNOR exam?
The CNOR exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions: 185 scored questions and 15 unscored pretest questions. You have 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete the exam.
What score do I need to pass CNOR?
CNOR uses a scaled scoring system from 200-800. The passing score is 620. Scaled scoring accounts for question difficulty variations across different exam forms.
How much does CNOR certification cost?
CCI lists the CNOR exam fee as $295 for AORN members and $375 for non-members. There are also fees for retakes ($275) and recertification ($250).
What are the CNOR content domain weights?
The seven subject areas are weighted as follows: Preoperative Patient Assessment and Management (27%), Management of Intraoperative Activities (34%), Infection Prevention and Control (16%), Postoperative Patient Care (10%), Communication, Documentation and Education (8%), and Professional Accountability (5%).
What are the eligibility requirements for CNOR?
To sit for CNOR, you must: 1) Have a current, unrestricted RN license, 2) Have at least 2 years (2,400 hours) of perioperative nursing experience, with at least 1,200 hours in intraoperative activities. Experience must be within the last 5 years.
How long is CNOR certification valid?
CNOR certification is valid for 5 years. You can recertify by either earning 125 contact hours of continuing education or by retaking and passing the CNOR exam.
What is the perioperative nurse job outlook?
According to BLS data, registered nursing overall is projected to grow 5% through 2034 with 189,100 annual job openings. Perioperative nursing is a specialized field with strong demand due to increasing surgical volumes and retirements. Perioperative nurses typically earn above-average RN salaries.