CNAMB Practice Test

To be eligible, you must hold a current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the United States or Canada. You also need a nursing diploma, associate, or bachelor's degree. Furthermore, you must have completed at least two years (2,400 hours) of experience in an ambulatory surgery setting, with a minimum of 500 of those hours dedicated to the intraoperative phase of care.

Applications are submitted through the Competency and Credentialing Institute (CCI) website, where candidates create an account, fill out forms, upload required documents, and pay the exam fee.

The exam content is structured according to a comprehensive blueprint that outlines the entire patient journey. The major domains covered in the exam include the following percentages:

• Intraoperative Care: 20%
• Preoperative Patient Assessment: 14%
• Communication: 12%
• Preoperative Plan of Care: 12%
• Postoperative Care and Transfer of Care: 10%
• Professional Accountability: 10%
• Management: 9%
• Instrument Processing: 8%
• Emergency Situations: 5%

This breakdown highlights the key areas of focus for the exam.

The exam is considered challenging due to its breadth and clinical depth, but pass rates indicate strong performance among candidates. The first-time pass rate is approximately 83.9%, while retake pass rates are significantly lower at 21.4%, underscoring the importance of thorough preparation. The exam tests real-world clinical judgment and procedural knowledge relevant to ambulatory surgical settings.

CCI provides an official CNAMB Handout , including a detailed content outline. Highly recommended textbooks include Alexander's Care of the Patient in Surgery and the AORN Guidelines for Perioperative Practice. Prepare Prephow CNAMB practice questions. Many candidates also benefit from forming study groups, using comprehensive review courses, and thoroughly reviewing pharmacology and common ambulatory procedures.