CNOR Pass Rate, Format & Study Guide

The CNOR exam has 200 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 3 hours 45 minutes, delivered by computer (CCI CNOR page). Results are scaled, and the passing score is 620 on the 200 to 800 scale (CNOR Candidate Handbook v5.2026). The detailed content outline has eight areas, from patient assessment and diagnosis to professional accountabilities; the largest is intraoperative patient care and safety at 25%.

CNOR is the best-known certification for perioperative registered nurses and shows that you meet a national standard in operating room nursing.

Registered nurses with at least two years of perioperative experience who are preparing for the CNOR exam.

The certifying body does not publicly publish an official pass rate for this exam. Be wary of third-party sites citing a specific number here — treat any pass-rate claim you see elsewhere for this exam as unverified.

You must wait at least 30 days between attempts and can retest as often as needed within your 12-month eligibility period, which starts when your application is approved.

You need a scaled score of 620 on the 200 to 800 scale to pass. The portal shows percentages only as a self-check, not as a prediction of your scaled score. Format: 200 multiple-choice questions in 3 hours 45 minutes, of which 15 are unscored. No official pass rate is available for this exam, so none is quoted here.

The CNOR exam has 200 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 3 hours 45 minutes, delivered by computer (CCI CNOR page). Results are scaled, and the passing score is 620 on the 200 to 800 scale (CNOR Candidate Handbook v5.2026). The detailed content outline has eight areas, from patient assessment and diagnosis to professional accountabilities; the largest is intraoperative patient care and safety at 25%. 200 multiple-choice questions (15 unscored) · 3 hours 45 minutes · computer-based · pass or no pass on a scaled score. You need a scaled score of 620 on the 200 to 800 scale to pass. The portal shows percentages only as a self-check, not as a prediction of your scaled score.

• Pre/postoperative Patient Assessment and Diagnosis15%
• Individualized Plan of Care Development and Expected Outcome Identification8%
• Management of Intraoperative Activities: Patient Care and Safety25%
• Management of Intraoperative Activities: Management of Personnel, Services and Materials9%
• Communication and Documentation11%
• Infection Prevention and Control of Environment, Instrumentation and Supplies16%
• Emergency Situations10%
• Professional Accountabilities6%

The content outline spreads questions across 8 areas: Pre/postoperative Patient Assessment and Diagnosis (15.0%); Individualized Plan of Care Development and Expected Outcome Identification (8.0%); Management of Intraoperative Activities: Patient Care and Safety (25.0%); Management of Intraoperative Activities: Management of Personnel, Services and Materials (9.0%); Communication and Documentation (11.0%); Infection Prevention and Control of Environment, Instrumentation and Supplies (16.0%); Emergency Situations (10.0%); Professional Accountabilities (6.0%).

You need an unrestricted RN license in the country where you practice, current work in perioperative clinical practice, education, administration or research, and at least 2 years and 2,400 hours of perioperative experience with 1,200 hours in the intraoperative role. If you hold CFPN, CST, TS-C or a military equivalent, 18 months and 2,400 hours as a perioperative RN can replace the 2-year requirement.

$475 application fee with the first attempt included, then $175 for each retake bought through your CCI account.

The CNOR must be renewed through CCI recertification, by earning points or by retaking the exam; check the current CCI recertification checklist for fees and deadlines.

Start with the heaviest areas of the content outline: Management of Intraoperative Activities: Patient Care and Safety (25.0%); Infection Prevention and Control of Environment, Instrumentation and Supplies (16.0%); Pre/postoperative Patient Assessment and Diagnosis (15.0%). Then work through the remaining areas, and finish with timed full-length practice runs of 200 questions in one sitting.

The CNOR Candidate Handbook is revised from time to time (version 5.2026 is the one this guide follows). Fees and eligibility change; check the CCI site before you apply.