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Free CDN Exam Prep

Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN)

Pass your CDN exam without spending hundreds on expensive prep courses. Free study guides, practice questions, flashcards, and related exam resources.

Your Study Path

CDN CDN License: Complete Roadmap

Follow this path to maximize your chances of passing on the first try

1

Phase 1You are here

Rebuild kidney disease and dialysis core concepts from the official blueprint.

30
hours
2

Phase 2

Deepen hemodialysis decision-making with complication and troubleshooting drills.

46
hours
3

Phase 3

Cover peritoneal dialysis and transplant/acute-therapy topics with targeted quizzes.

34
hours
4

Phase 4

Complete timed mixed-domain simulations and final weak-area remediation.

22
hours
Estimated total study time
132 hours
That's about 14 weeks at 10 hours/week

Can You Take the CDN Exam?

Check if you meet the basic eligibility requirements

Age
Education
Active and unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or its territories
Experience
2,000 hours as an RN in nephrology nursing within the prior 2 years
Additional Requirements
  • Submit complete online or paper exam application with payment
  • Receive authorization, then schedule through PSI testing link sent by email
  • Renew certification every 3 years via NNCC recertification requirements

CDN Quick Facts

Time to Get Licensed

8-14 weeks for most candidates

From start to license in hand

Exam Provider

PSI (authorization managed by NNCC and C-NET)

In-Person Only
Schedule Your Exam

Retake Policy

A one-time reduced-fee retake is available; unsuccessful candidates after that must submit a new application cycle and applicable fees.

Total Cost Breakdown

Exam Fee$350 standard exam fee ($300 partner-member)
Application Fee$50 non-refundable processing fee (included in listed exam fee)
Total Estimated Cost$350-$400 initial path; $550-$600 if one retake is needed
Why Choose Us

Free CDN Prep That Actually Works

The official pass rate is 75% pass rate in 2024 (NNCC Annual Report).. Our students do better.

200 Practice Questions

Dialysis-focused practice aligned to the current NNCC CDN blueprint ranges.

AI-Powered Learning

Adaptive coaching for nephrology scenarios, access care, and dialysis safety decisions.

2026 Updated

Built to the latest NNCC CDN handbook, eligibility rules, and passing-standard language.

Free Access

Start CDN prep free before you submit your NNCC application and exam fee.

Compare:
Kaplan $300+Achievable $200+OpenExamPrep $0

What You'll Study

5 chapters covering everything you need to pass

CDN Exam Details

Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN)

Administered by Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC)

Official Source
Standard score 95 (NNCC indicates this is achieved at about 70-74% correct, form-dependent)
Passing Score
150
Questions
3
Hours
$350 standard ($300 partner-member); one-time retake $200 ($175 partner)
Exam Fee
Study time: 90-140 hours
Prerequisites: Active unrestricted RN license, 2,000 nephrology nursing hours in the previous 2 years, and 20 contact hours of nephrology CE.
Valid for: 3 years

Exam Content Breakdown

Based on the official Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) content outline

Concepts of Kidney Disease and Kidney Failure27-29%

CKD and kidney-failure fundamentals, pathophysiology, and related nursing concepts.

Hemodialysis51-53%

Largest domain covering hemodialysis delivery, monitoring, complications, and safety.

Peritoneal Dialysis15-17%

Peritoneal dialysis patient care, treatment management, and complication response.

Kidney Transplant and Acute Kidney Therapies4-5%

Transplant and acute-therapy fundamentals that complete the CDN blueprint.

What's Included

5 Chapters

Complete exam coverage

Practice Quizzes

With detailed explanations

Free to Start

No credit card required

Ran Chen - AI Engineer, CFP®
CFP®
Why It's Free

Quality Exam Prep Shouldn't Cost Hundreds

I'm Ran Chen, an engineer with 20+ years of coding experience. I passed my Life Insurance license, EA exam, SIE, Series 6, 63, 65, and finally the CFP® exam.

Through all these exams, one thing became clear: exam prep is expensive. But with AI, we can change that. Quality preparation can now be free for everyone.

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What's Next After the CDN?

After passing the CDN, you can pursue these career paths

CNN

Advance to broader nephrology nursing certification scope.

Coming Soon

CCRN

Add high-acuity critical-care credentialing for dialysis-related ICU settings.

Nephrology Educator/Leader Roles

Use CDN as a baseline credential for charge nurse, educator, and unit-lead pathways.

Coming Soon

CDN Exam FAQ

Official Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) Resources

Verify information with these official sources

More Free Resources

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Ready to Start Your Free CDN Prep?

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