Certification Comparison
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
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CMSRNRN-BCCredentialCertified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN)Registered Nurse-Board Certified (RN-BC)Certifying BodyMedical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB) msncb.orgAmerican Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) nursecredentialing.orgEndorsement from Specialty Nursing OrganizationYes, by AMSN (Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses)NoAccreditation by ABSNC (Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification)YesYesAccepted by ANCC for Magnet Recognition StatusYesYesCertification Duration5 years5 years
- Certification Eligibility Criteria
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CMSRNRN-BCPractice as an RN2 years2 yearsHold a current unencumbered RN licenseYesYesType of PracticeClinical, management, or educationClinicalPractice Hours in Past 3 Years2,000 Hours2,000 HoursContact HoursNone30 CH/3 Years
- Certification Exam
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CMSRNRN-BC# of Questions125 (25 unscored experimental)125 (25 unscored experimental)Testing OptionsIn-Person Test Center
Live Remote ProctorIn-Person Test Center
Live Remote ProctorBased on Practice AnalysisYesYesSpecial Test Site at Your FacilityNoNo - Certification Pricing and Discounts
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CMSRNRN-BCApplication Fees$375$395Member Fees$255 AMSN Member*$295 ANA MemberFacility Registration ProgramYes, FailSafe Certification Program™Yes
- Renewal Options
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CMSRNRN-BCBy Contact HoursYesYesBy ExamYesPartiallyBy Exam ExemptionYesNo
- Renewal Eligibility Criteria
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CMSRNRN-BCCurrent Certification in Medical-Surgical NursingYesYesHold a current unencumbered RN licenseYesYesType of PracticeClinical, management, or educationN/APractice Hours in 5 Years1,000N/AContact Hours in 5 Years90 CH (including academic courses, presentations, publications, preceptorship, research)Mandatory 75 CH + 1 or more of 8 renewal categories
- Renewal Pricing and Discounts
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CMSRNRN-BCRenewal Fee$275$350Member Fee$175 AMSN Member*$250 ANA Member
- Examination Prep Resources
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CMSRNRN-BCSample QuestionsYesYesOnline Prep TestYes, from MSNCBYes, through Credentialing Knowledge CenterPublications/OnlineYes, many through AMSNYes2-Day Certification Review Course at your health care organizationYes, through AMSN $6,000
$5,000 for FailSafe participating organization
+ faculty hotelYes* AMSN Dues = $85 year
Please contact us with any questions you may have about Certification.
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