Nursing
AACN CCRN® (Adult)Critical-Care Registered Nurse (Adult)
The AACN CCRN (Adult) certifies registered nurses who provide direct care to acutely or critically ill adult patients, typically in an ICU, CCU, CVICU, or similar high-acuity unit. Issued by the AACN Certification Corporation, the exam is built around the AACN Synergy Model for Patient Care and is weighted 80% Clinical Judgment / 20% Professional Caring and Ethical Practice. It is the most widely held adult critical-care nursing credential in the US.
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Exam facts
Everything you need to know about the AACN CCRN® (Adult) exam.
- Passing score
- 83 / 125 scored items
- Format & length
- 150 questions (125 scored + 25 pretest) · 3 hours
- Voucher cost
- $255 AACN members / $370 non-members
- Prerequisites
- Current US RN or APRN license + 1,750 hours of direct adult critical-care practice in the last 2 years (875 in the most recent year), OR 2,000 hours over 5 years (144 in the most recent year)
- Validity
- 3 years (renew by 100 Synergy CERPs + 432 practice hours, or retake the exam)
What’s tested
Key topics on the AACN CCRN® (Adult) exam.
The Cert Climb question bank is mapped to every domain on the official AACN CCRN® (Adult) exam blueprint, so what you study is what the test asks.
- Cardiovascular
- Pulmonary
- Endocrine, Hematology, Gastrointestinal & Renal
- Musculoskeletal, Neurological, Integumentary & Psychosocial
- Multisystem
- Professional Caring & Ethical Practice
Who it’s for
Built for the people taking this exam.
Adult ICU, CCU, CVICU, trauma, and step-down RNs who want a portable credential that documents bedside critical-care competency. The default choice for nurses on adult units who plan to stay in critical care.
Why it matters in 2026
The career signal.
CCRN is the most recognized adult critical-care credential in US hospitals, frequently tied to clinical-ladder advancement, charge-nurse eligibility, and Magnet-designation staffing targets. It is also a common prerequisite for ECMO, flight, and rapid-response programs, and a meaningful resume signal for travel ICU contracts that increasingly screen for certification.
What you get
Everything you need to actually pass.
Full question bank
2,000 questions covering every objective on the official AACN CCRN® (Adult) exam blueprint, with detailed explanations on every option — right and wrong.
Quiz modes
Timed exam simulation, missed-only review, topic drills, and a daily question of the day. Practice the way you study best.
Flashcards
Spaced-repetition flashcards generated from each topic. Pull them up on a phone in the gap between meetings.
Progress tracking
See per-topic accuracy and answered counts. Find weak areas before they cost you on test day.
Per-category premium
Unlocking AACN CCRN® (Adult) unlocks every other Nursing exam in the Cert Climb catalog — pay once, stack credentials.
No-fluff explanations
Every wrong answer comes with a 2-3 sentence explanation of why it’s wrong, not just “the correct answer is X.” Pattern recognition is the whole game.
Read while you study
AACN CCRN® (Adult) articles & study guides
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about AACN CCRN® (Adult)
How many questions does the AACN CCRN® (Adult) bank have?
2,000 questions, organized into 6 subject areas mapped to the official exam objectives.
Is the free trial really free?
Yes. 30 questions, no credit card, no email-trap, no “activate by Friday or pay” spam. You either upgrade because the bank’s good, or you don’t.
What does premium cost?
Premium is sold per category and unlocks every Nursing exam in the Cert Climb catalog. Plans are 1-month, 3-month, or 12-month — see the upgrade modal for current pricing.
How current is the AACN CCRN® (Adult) content?
We track exam version updates and refresh the bank within weeks of new objectives. Where the version of an exam matters (e.g. CompTIA SY0-701 vs. SY0-601), question explanations call it out.
Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Yes. Cancellation is one click from your profile. Your access continues through the end of the period you’ve already paid for.
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