The AACN CCRN-K exam tests the same clinical knowledge as the CCRN — making it a rigorous certification for Knowledge Professionals. Understanding the difficulty helps you prepare strategically.

Exam Format

• •Total Questions: 150 (125 scored + 25 pretest)
• •Time Limit: 3 hours
• •Passing: Criterion-referenced (modified Angoff method)
• •Cost: $255 AACN member / $370 non-member

What Makes the CCRN-K Challenging?

1. Clinical Depth

Even though you may not provide direct bedside care, the exam tests the same clinical content as the CCRN. You need to understand complex pathophysiology, pharmacology, and patient management at a deep level.

2. Knowledge Professional Gap

If you’ve transitioned from bedside to an educator or management role, your clinical knowledge may need refreshing. The exam tests current evidence-based practices that evolve rapidly.

3. Breadth of Content

The exam covers cardiovascular, respiratory, neuro, renal, GI, endocrine, hematology, multisystem, and professional caring domains. Weakness in any area can impact your score.

4. Synergy Model Integration

Twenty percent of the exam covers AACN’s Synergy Model — professional caring and ethical practice. Many candidates under-prepare for this domain.

Difficulty by Domain

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the CCRN-K harder than the CCRN?

The exam is identical in content and difficulty. However, Knowledge Professionals may find it harder if they’ve been away from direct patient care, as the clinical content requires detailed bedside-level knowledge.

What is the pass rate for the CCRN-K?

AACN reports combined CCRN/CCRN-K pass rates. The adult CCRN first-time pass rate is approximately 75-80%. Knowledge Professional pass rates may be slightly lower due to the clinical knowledge gap.

How many times can I retake the CCRN-K?

You can retake the exam after a waiting period. AACN allows multiple retakes, with retest fees of $180 (member) or $285 (non-member) per attempt.