CRNI - Certified Registered Nurse Infusion

The Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI) certification is offered by the Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation (INCC), accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC).

CRNI certification allows infusion nurses to showcase their skills and demonstrate their competence to current and future employers. Infusion nurses are experts in administering intravenous medications, performing blood transfusions, maintaining the care of IV lines, and more. Becoming certified as an infusion nurse may be your first step in becoming employed as one. This certification can help you gain knowledge and grow within the field of nursing by opening up new job opportunities.

The CRNI examination consists of 140 questions, 120 of which are scored. Test-takers have 3 hours to take the exam and will receive a score report at the end of the test. The questions on the test come from three main content categories: principles of practice, access devices, and infusion therapies. All of the questions on the exam are multiple-choice. 

This exam can only be taken in March and September. Pricing varies depending on membership status with INS and when you sign up. The exam will cost $525 for non-members and $385 for members. To take the exam in March, register by January 10th. To take it in September, register by July 10th. You can get an additional $50 early bird discount if you sign up far enough ahead of the deadlines. International candidates pay a $140 international site fee. Visit the INS website for more information on pricing and deadlines.

Preparing for the exam with a prep course is not required, but it can help ensure a passing score. INS offers a variety of preparation methods, including CRNI Academy and a study guide with practice tests.

Nurses who hold a CRNI certification are eligible for more employment opportunities than nurses who do not. Working as an infusion nurse is an interesting and exciting job opportunity. Certification is a way to ensure employment opportunities by demonstrating skills and experience.

The CRNI certification exam is an in-person examination that can be taken in March or September and is available at various testing centers across the United States. To be considered eligible to sit for this exam, nurses must hold an active, unrestricted RN license. 

It is also required that nurses have 1600 hours of experience working in the field of infusion nursing. This experience can be in education, clinical practice, administration, or research as an infusion nurse. Some examples of infusion nursing experience include assessment and care of vascular access devices such as peripheral and central lines, medication administration through an intravenous site, and IV therapy education/teaching. 

Once you meet eligibility requirements, you can begin the application process. 

1. Start by applying online through the INS website. Be sure to remain aware of application deadlines since testing is only available in March and September. 

2. Within 7-14 days of applying, you’ll receive a confirmation letter with instructions on how to schedule your exam.

3. Schedule your exam through PSI Services by selecting a date and time that works for you. 

4. Prepare for your exam by reviewing the content outline and any additional study materials you plan to use. INS offers a variety of helpful study materials, including online courses and practice exams. 

5. Sit for your exam on the scheduled date. 

Once you’ve received your CRNI certification, you are ready to begin working as an infusion nurse. Many infusion nurses work at the bedside, but this isn’t the only option. You may be able to find work in an outpatient infusion clinic, hospital, rehabilitation center, or even a medical spa.

In order to renew your certification, you will need to hold an active RN license and have completed at least 1,000 hours of infusion experience within the last three years. You can recertify through an exam or through continuing education. Be sure to plan your recertification accordingly since the exam is only offered twice per year. 

To recertify by exam, fill out a recertification application, and pay the required fees. The cost of recertifying by exam is $585 for INS members and $725 for non-members. If you sign up to test ahead of the deadlines, you may be able to get an additional $50 off of the price. The cost of recertifying by exam for international candidates is $140.

To recertify by continuing education (CE), submit a “recertification by CEU” application through your INS account along with certificates of completion for 40 recertification units. The fee for recertifying by CE is $200 for INS members and $325 for non-members.

The INCC offers resources for exam candidates, including:

• Exam Handbook is a helpful resource that covers all exam information

• Approved Exam Reference List

• Approved Exam Abbreviation List

• Exam Checklist

• Online Prep Course through the CRNI Academy (Cost: $250)