CCRN (Adult) – Tele-critical Care Eligibility Pathway

CCRN^® (Adult) is a specialty certification. The Tele-critical Care Eligibility Pathway is for nurses who primarily or exclusively provide care to acutely/critically ill adult patients in a centralized or remotely based tele-critical care setting that is networked with the beside via audiovisual communication and computer systems.

This certification is accepted by the Magnet Recognition Program^®.

Initial Eligibility Requirements & Fees

A current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license is required.
An unencumbered license is not currently being subjected to formal discipline by the board of nursing in the state(s) in which the nurse is practicing and has no provisions or conditions that limit the nurse’s practice. Provisions or conditions may include, but are not limited to, direct supervision of practice, drug administration limitations and/or practice area exclusions.

Candidates must complete one of the following clinical practice hour requirement options:

Two-Year Option

Practice as an RN or APRN for 1,750 hours in the care of acutely/critically ill adult patients in a tele-critical care setting or in a combination of tele-critical care and direct care during the previous two years, with 875 of those hours accrued in the most recent year preceding application

Five-Year Option

Practice as an RN or APRN during the previous 5 years with a minimum of 2,000 hours in the care of acutely/critically ill adult patients in a tele-critical care setting or in a combination of tele-critical care and direct care, with 144 of those hours accrued in the most recent year preceding application

Eligible Clinical Practice Hours:

Must be completed in a U.S.-based facility or in a facility determined to be comparable to the U.S. standard of acute/critical care nursing practice.
Are those spent actively providing care to acutely/critically ill adult patients in a tele-critical care setting (a portion may be in direct bedside care) or spent supervising nurses or nursing students providing care to acutely/critically ill adult patients in a tele-critical care setting, if working as a manager, educator, preceptor or APRN. The majority of practice hours for exam eligibility must be focused on critically ill patients.
Are verifiable by your clinical supervisor or professional colleague (RN or physician). Contact information must be provided for verification of eligibility related to clinical hours, to be used if you are selected for audit.
For complete eligibility requirements, refer to the CCRN Exam Handbook – Tele-critical Care Pathway.