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CCRN-E Renewal Options and Eligibility Requirements

The Continuing Education Recognition Point (CERP) program encompasses a wide spectrum of continuing education activities performed by acute and critical care nurses. It also addresses the need for formal and informal educational experiences for acute and critical care nurses.

Eligibility Requirements for Renewal

  • Current unencumbered licensure as an RN or APRN in the United States is required. An unencumbered license has not been subjected to formal discipline during the 3-year certification period by any State Board of Nursing and has no provisions or conditions that limit the nurse's practice in any way. It is the responsibility of candidates and certificants to notify AACN Certification Corporation when any restriction is placed on their RN or APRN license.
  • Have passed the Adult CCRN or CCRN-E exam.
  • Practice as an RN or APRN is required for 432 hours in care of acutely and/or critically ill adult patients in a tele-ICU during the 3-year certification renewal period, with 144 of those hours accrued in the last year of the certification renewal period. Clinical practice hours for certification renewal must take place in a U.S.-based facility or in a facility determined to be comparable by verifiable evidence to the U.S. standard of acute and critical care nursing practice, as evidenced by ANCC Magnet Status or Joint Commission International accreditation.
  • AACN Certification Corporation may adopt additional eligibility requirements at its sole discretion. Any such requirements will be designed to establish, for the purposes of CCRN-E certification, the adequacy of a candidate's knowledge and experience in caring for the acutely and/or critically ill. Refer to the CCRN-E renewal policy for more information.
  • See the CCRN-E Renewal Handbook for more detailed eligibility information.

Option 1 - Renewal by Synergy CERPs

  • Meet the eligibility requirements for certification renewal.
  • Renewal by Synergy CERPs is obtained by accumulating a total of 100 CERPs, with 70 in Category A, 5 in Category B and 25 in Category C (or, if moving from CCRN to CCRN-E for the first time, 60 CERPs in Category A, 10 each in Categories B & C, plus 20 in the category of your choice).  
  • All CERPs must be accrued during the 3-year certification renewal period.
  • See the CCRN-E Renewal Brochure for examples of topics and activities for each Synergy CERP category and how to calculate and document CERPs.

Option 2 - Renewal by Exam

  • Meet the eligibility requirements for certification renewal and successfully complete the CCRN-E exam.
  • The CCRN-E Exam Handbook provides exam policies and an application. If renewing by exam, a paper application is required. 

Do not apply for more than one option.

  • It is not permissible to take the exam early and then attempt to renew by CERPs if you fail.
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