NBCRNA - National Board Certification for Registered Nurse Anesthetists

The National Board Certification for Registered Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) is a credential for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) specializing in anesthesia care. This certification signifies advanced knowledge and skills in providing anesthesia and related care before, during, and after surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic, and obstetrical procedures.

Completion Time: 3 hours; however, the exam is a variable-length, computerized adaptive test.

Cost: $1,125

Exam Format

The NCE is a computer-adaptive test that includes 100-170 questions featuring multiple-choice, calculations, drag and drop, hotspot, graphics, and videos. Candidates must answer a minimum of 100 questions.

The exam covers anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, anesthesia equipment and technology, pain management, and anesthesia principles and practices.

This exam is offered exclusively at Pearson VUE testing centers.

Eligibility and Certification Requirements

• A current, unrestricted RN license.

• Graduation from a nurse anesthesia educational program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).

• Successful completion of the National Certification Examination (NCE) administered by the NBCRNA.

Certification Process

• Apply for the NBCRNA certification through the NBCRNA after completing a COA-accredited program.

• Meet the eligibility criteria and pass the NCE. Candidates will receive a preliminary pass/fail report when they check out of the test center. Official results will be mailed to the candidate 2-4 weeks after the exam.

NBCRNA certification requires renewal every four years.

The Continued Professional Certification (CPC) Program is the NBCRNA’s current/legacy certification framework. CRNAs who are scheduled to renew in 2025 will still be in the CPC Program, and all requirements must be completed before transitioning to the new MAC Program. The requirements for the CPC program include:

• 60 Class A credits (continuing education with assessment)

• 40 Class B credits (professional development)

• Core Modules (mandatory learning components)

• CPC Assessment (CPCA) (every 8 years, knowledge assessment exam)

Fees

• Credentialing fee: $250 every four years

• Additional costs for Core Modules and CPC Assessment vary depending on provider, leading to higher overall expense compared to MAC.

• Average cost for maintaining certification is higher than MAC due to multiple separate requirements.

MAC Program (New Program)

The Maintaining Anesthesia Certification (MAC) Program is NBCRNA’s new recertification pathway, replacing CPC. It was launched in 2024 and will fully replace CPC by 2026.

• Streamlined four-year cycle with three components:

  • MAC Ed: 60 Class A credits (CE with assessment)

  • MAC Dev: 40 Class B credits (professional development)

  • MAC Check: A new longitudinal knowledge check that replaces the one-time CPCA, designed to reinforce ongoing competency over time

• No Core Modules required (this requirement was removed under MAC)

• Designed to be more flexible and cost-effective

Fees

• One-time renewal fee of $445 at the start of each four-year certification cycle (includes the MAC Check platform fee)

• This averages to about $111 per year

• NBCRNA estimates that MAC saves most CRNAs around $300 per cycle compared to CPC because Core Modules are eliminated

CRNAs renewing in 2025 remain in the CPC Program. By 2026, all CRNAs will transition into the MAC Program.

Continuing education for CRNAs includes updates in anesthesia techniques, pain management, pharmacology, patient safety, and emerging technologies in anesthesia care.

For specific information regarding National Board Certification for Registered Nurse Anesthetists, including eligibility criteria, examination details, recertification processes, and approved educational programs, it is recommended to consult directly with the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). The NBCRNA provides comprehensive resources and standards for nurse anesthetists, ensuring high-quality patient care in the field of anesthesia.

Other related certifications include:

• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

• Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)

• Certified Foundational Perioperative Nurse (CFPN)

• Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA)

• Registered Nurse Assistant at Surgery – Certified (RNAS-C)

• Clinical Nurse Specialist Perioperative Certification (CNS-CP)

• Certified Surgical Services Manager (CSSM)

• Certified Ambulatory Surgery Nurse (CNAMB)