Which certification is right for me?
There are two certification exams offered in the specialty of medical-surgical nursing. The Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB) provides this table of comparisons between the two certification programs to help you make an informed choice of which one is right for you.
Certification Comparison
| CMSRN | RN-BC | |
|---|---|---|
| Credential | Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) | Registered Nurse-Board Certified (RN-BC) |
| Certifying Body | Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB) msncb.org |
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) |
| Endorsement from Specialty Nursing Organization | Yes, by AMSN (Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses) | No |
| Accreditation by ABSNC (Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification) | Yes | Yes |
| Accepted by ANCC for Magnet Recognition Status | Yes | Yes |
| Certification Duration | 5 years | 5 years |
Certification Eligibility Criteria
| CMSRN | RN-BC | |
|---|---|---|
| Practice as an RN | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Type of Practice | Clinical, management, or education | Clinical |
| Practice Hours in Past 3 Years | 2,000 Hours | 2,000 Hours |
| Contact Hours | None | 30 CH/3 Years |
Certification Exam
| CMSRN | RN-BC | |
|---|---|---|
| # of Questions | 150 (+25 trial questions) | 175 |
| Testing Options |
Computer-Based Testing (CBT) |
Computer-Based Testing (CBT) |
| Based on Practice Analysis | Yes | Yes |
| Special Test Site at Your Facility | Yes, $300 per site | No |
Certification Pricing and Discounts
| CMSRN | RN-BC | |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fees | $375 | $395 |
| Member Fees | $255 AMSN Member* | $270 ANA Member |
| Facility Registration Program | Yes, FailSafe Certification Program™ which does not charge hospitals for unsuccessful candidates | Yes |
Recertification Options
| CMSRN | RN-BC | |
|---|---|---|
| By Contact Hours | Yes | Yes |
| By Exam | Yes | Partially |
| By Exam Exemption | Yes | No |
Recertification Eligibility Criteria
| CMSRN | RN-BC | |
|---|---|---|
| Current Certification in Medical-Surgical Nursing | Yes | Yes |
| Type of Practice | Clinical, management, or education | Clinical or direct clinical supervision only |
| Practice Hours in 5 Years | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Contact Hours in 5 Years | 90 CH (including academic courses, presentations, publications, preceptorship, research) | Mandatory 75 CH + 1 or more of 8 renewal categories |
Recertification Pricing and Discounts
| CMSRN | RN-BC | |
|---|---|---|
| Recertification Fee | $275 | $350 |
| Member Fee | $175 AMSN Member* | $250 ANA Member |
Examination Prep Resources
| CMSRN | RN-BC | |
|---|---|---|
| Sample Questions | Yes | Yes |
| Online Practice Exam | Yes, from MSNCB | Yes, through Credentialing Knowledge Center |
| Publications/Online | Yes, many through AMSN | Yes |
| 2 Day Certification Review Course at your Facility |
Yes, through AMSN $5,000 for FailSafe Facilities + faculty hotel expenses |
Yes |
* AMSN Dues = $85/year
