CFRN Practice Test

Eligibility requires a current, unrestricted RN license (or equivalent) in the U.S., Canada, or Australia. BCEN recommends at least two years of experience in emergency or critical care nursing, though it's not mandatory. Active-duty military, veterans, and their spouses may qualify for fee reimbursements through educational benefits. No formal flight experience is required, but it's highly beneficial for success.

The exam consists of 180 multiple-choice questions. Only 150 of these questions are scored; the remaining 30 are pre-test items used for future exams and do not affect your score.

The exam is based on a detailed content outline that covers the core components of flight nursing. Major domains include:

• Clinical Practice (74%): Cardiology, Pulmonology, Neurology, Trauma, Metabolism, etc.
• Professional Caring & Ethical Practice (16%): Communication, patient advocacy, and legal/ethical issues.
• Transport Fundamentals (10%): Safety, aviation physiology, and operational aspects.

You apply online through the BCEN website. Once your application is approved, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) email. This allows you to schedule your exam at a convenient Pearson VUE test center.

CFRN certification enhances your professional credibility and shows your commitment to excellence in air medical nursing. It can open doors to career advancement, leadership opportunities, and higher pay. Employers often prefer or require CFRN-certified nurses because it signals advanced competency in providing safe, high-quality care during air transport missions.

The certification is valid for four years. To recertify, you can either retake the CFRN exam or complete 100 contact hours of continuing education (CE) relevant to the transport nursing field.

Successful candidates often use a mix of study materials such as CFRN review books, Prephow practice tests, and study groups. Reviewing current flight physiology concepts, trauma management, and advanced critical care is key. Prephow practice exams can help you get comfortable with question formats and identify areas that need improvement.

If you don't achieve a passing score, you can retake the exam after a mandatory 90-day waiting period. There is no limit to the number of times you can retake the exam. BCEN offers discounted retest fees for up to one year after your initial exam. If you purchased the Test Assurance option with your initial application, you can submit a no-fee retest application for your second attempt. You can check your retest eligibility date on your BCEN account dashboard.