Certified Ambulatory Surgery Nurse

The Certified Ambulatory Surgery Nurse (CNAMB®) certification is designed for perioperative nurses working in the ambulatory surgery setting who are seeking to improve and validate their professional competencies. The CNAMB certification assesses the knowledge and skills of a perioperative nurse with a minimum of two years of clinical practice in the ambulatory surgery setting. Earning the certification is a mark of distinction and recognizes the important role nurses play in delivering safe patient care.

APPLY FOR THE EXAM

OVERVIEW

CNAMB Exam Overview

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3hr.45min.

To complete the exam

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200

Multiple choice questions

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Computer-based EXAM

Results are pass or no pass

Subject Areas

ELIGIBILITY

Check Your CNAMB Eligibility

A current, unrestricted RN license in the country where currently practicing.
Pre-licensure degree (diploma in nursing, associate degree in nursing [ADN], or the global equivalent) or higher
Current full- or part-time employment in an ambulatory surgery setting and a minimum of 2 years and 2,400 hours experience in an eligible role with a minimum of 500 hours in the intraoperative setting.

*If you have earned your CFPN®, CST, TS-C, or hold the military equivalent, a minimum of 18 months and 2,400 hours of experience as a perioperative registered nurse is required.

SEE IF ELIGIBLE

You are required to have an unencumbered and active RN license in your country of practice. Your state board of nursing can advise of your license status.

If you are not currently working in perioperative nursing, talk to your employer or area facilities about operating room employment opportunities.

We recommend keeping a log of your perioperative hours and cases so you can apply once you meet the requirement.

Congratulations! Based on your responses, you are eligible to apply for CNAMB certification.

Apply now
APPLICATION PROCESS

CNAMB Exam Application Process

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Confirm your eligibility

Determine when you would like to take the exam. Your testing window will begin the calendar month after your application is approved. Your exam may be taken at an in-person testing center or via remote proctor from the location of your choice.

You may submit your application online at any time by creating a CCI account or logging into your existing account.

Schedule your exam by clicking on the "PSI Exam Scheduling" button in your CCI account after your application is submitted. For additional testing center information, please refer to the CNAMB Handbook.

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APPLY
TESTING WINDOW
TESTING WINDOW
TESTING WINDOW
Certification Fees

CNAMB Exam Fee

During the online application process, nurses have the option to register for a single exam take or benefit from the CNAMB Take 2 program. The CNAMB Take 2 program allows a CNAMB-eligible nurse to take the exam twice in a 12-month period if the first attempt is unsuccessful. For more information on the Take 2 program, please see the CNAMB Handbook

 

CCI offers volume discounts for health systems seeking to certify multiple nurses. Download the CNAMB Take 2 Facility Enrollment Forms to enroll.

Price Of
Exam

$375

OR

CNAMB TAKE 2 FOR

$420

2 Chances to
pass the exam

$375

CNAMB Exam Single Take

$420

CNAMB Take 2

Materials Questions are pulled from:

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Guidelines for Perioperative Practice

AORN. (current edition). Guidelines for perioperative practice. AORN.

TEXT BOOK
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Berry and Kohn’s Operating Room Technique

Phillips, N., & Hornacky, A. (Eds.). (2021). Berry and Kohn’s operating room technique (14th ed.). Elsevier.

TEXT BOOK
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Alexander’s Care of the Patient in Surgery

Rothrock, J. C. (Ed.). (2023). Alexander’s care of the patient in surgery (17th ed.). Elsevier.

TEXT BOOK
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Drain’s Perianesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach

Odom-Forren, J. (Ed.). (2024). Drain’s perianesthesia nursing: A critical care approach (8th ed.) Elsevier.

TEXT BOOK

These texts are the primary references for the CNAMB exam. Download our CNAMB Study Plan for reference material by subject area.

 

CCI periodically conducts test development activities to develop and maintain the CNAMB® exam consistent with accreditation standards. A complete list of test development committees is presented in CNAMB® task and knowledge statements.

GET PREPARED

CNAMB Exam Resources

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CNAMB Certification Webinars

Learn more about exam subject areas and test-taking strategies.

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CNAMB Exam Study outline

Develop a personalized study plan with CCI’s free preparation tool.

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CNAMB
Handbook

The complete guide on the CNAMB credential

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CNAMB Practice Questions

Explore the format and structure of CNAMB exam questions.

GET PREPARED

CNAMB Exam Preparation

Exam Prep Product Disclaimer: As a certification organization, CCI’s role is developing and administering certification examinations. CCI does not require or endorse any specific study guides, review products, or training courses. Candidates may prepare for certification examinations with any educational materials they choose. The purchase of CCI review materials is not a requirement for testing, nor does the use of any review materials (CCI or otherwise) imply successful performance on the certification examinations. No study resources are prerequisites for the certification examinations. 

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CNAMB Pocket Prep App

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CNAMB On-Demand Prep Course