Exam Exemption
If you are currently certified as a medical-surgical nurse through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), you may be eligible to earn the Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN®) credential... without having to take another exam.
Why You Should Attain the CMSRN Credential
With the CMSRN credential, you will be recognized as a medical-surgical nurse. CMSRN clearly identifies the medical-surgical nursing specialty. In addition, the exam and credential were developed exclusively by and for medical-surgical nurses. This is the only medical-surgical certification endorsed by the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN), the professional association representing this specialty.
Am I Eligible?
Eligibility criteria include
- Hold a current medical-surgical nursing certification
- Hold a current RN license
- Have completed 90 contact hours of continuing education over the past 5 years (68 must be in the medical-surgical nursing specialty)
- Have completed 1,000 hours of practice during the previous 5 years
How Much Does It Cost?
| Regular | $275 |
| AMSN Member | $175 |
How Do I Apply?
The Recertification and Exam Exemption Guide contains the instructions and forms necessary for you to apply for CMSRN certification via exam exemption.
You may earn the CMSRN credential by exam exemption at any time during which you are certified by ANCC. You do not need to wait until your current certification expires. Submit your application by the last day of the month in which your current certification expires. Applications for certification will be accepted for one year after the expiration date of your current certification with an additional late fee.
How Will CMSRN Certification Affect My ANCC Certification?
CMSRN certification will not affect your ANCC certification. Some medical-surgical nurses keep both credentials, and that is your choice. MSNCB is a separate organization from ANCC and we do not notify ANCC of your CMSRN certification.
How Can I Attain Contact Hours?
How Will I Recertify My CMSRN Certification?
Certification is valid for a period of 5 years and expires at the end of the month in which you were originally certified. MSNCB will notify you of your expiration date by email and mail. The requirements for recertification must be fulfilled within the stated time period in order to remain certified. Accrual of continuing education credits for the next five-year cycle begins after your recertification date.
