This 8-week study plan prepares occupational health nurses for the ABOHN COHN certification exam.

Exam Overview

• •Questions: 160 (135 scored + 25 pretest)
• •Time: 3 hours
• •Eligibility: RN + 3,000 hours OHN experience in 5 years
• •Domains: Clinical Practice (54%), Case Management (13%), Health and Safety (17%), Management (10%), Research (6%)

Week 1-2: Clinical Practice — Assessment and Treatment

• •Occupational health history and physical assessment
• •Work-related injury and illness recognition
• •Musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomics
• •Respiratory conditions and occupational lung disease
• •Dermatological conditions and chemical exposures
• •First aid and emergency response in the workplace

Week 3-4: Case Management and Workers’ Compensation

• •Workers’ compensation laws and processes
• •Return-to-work programs and transitional duty
• •Disability management and functional capacity evaluation
• •Medical-legal documentation
• •Communication with employers, insurers, and providers

Week 5-6: Health and Safety — Industrial Hygiene

• •Hazard recognition and risk assessment
• •Chemical, biological, and physical hazards
• •Noise exposure and hearing conservation
• •Personal protective equipment selection
• •OSHA regulations and compliance
• •Bloodborne pathogens and infection control

Week 7: Management, Research, and Professional Issues

• •Program management and budgeting
• •Regulatory compliance (OSHA, EPA, ADA)
• •Health promotion and wellness programs
• •Research utilization and evidence-based practice
• •Ethical issues in occupational health

Week 8: Practice Exams and Final Review

• •Full practice exams and targeted review

Frequently Asked Questions

What score do I need to pass the COHN?

ABOHN uses a scaled scoring system. You must achieve a passing score on the scaled metric — the specific cut score is not publicly disclosed.

How many questions are on the COHN exam?

160 multiple-choice questions (135 scored + 25 pretest), 3 hours.

Can I use the COHN-S study materials for the COHN exam?

Partially. The exams share some content, but the COHN focuses more on clinical practice while the COHN-S emphasizes management and program development. Use study materials specific to the COHN.