If you need help studying for the Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) exam or just want some more information about what the exam is like, you’ve come to the right place.
Click below to take a free CFRN practice exam!
Exam Eligibility
Before you can register to take the CFRN exam, you’ll need to ensure that you hold a current, unrestricted RN license in the US, Canada, or Australia.
Take note that having two years of flight nursing experience is recommended but not strictly required.
What’s on the Exam?
First, let’s talk about the questions on the CFRN exam. There are 180 multiple-choice questions total, but only 150 of the questions will count toward your score. Why is that?
The 30 unscored questions on the CFRN exam are called “pretest” questions. These are added to the exam to determine if they’re good enough questions to add to future versions of the test.
The trick is that you won’t have any way of knowing which questions are scored and which ones are pretest. They will appear just like the scored questions throughout the test.
The time limit for the exam is 3 hours. There aren’t any scheduled breaks, but you’re free to take restroom breaks as needed.
Let’s take a closer look at each section of the exam.
1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF FLIGHT TRANSPORT NURSING PRACTICE
28 scored questions
- Transport physiology
- Scene operations management
- Communications
- Safety and survival
- Disaster management
- Professional issues
- Systems management
2. RESUSCITATION PRINCIPLES
38 scored questions
- Principles of assessment and patient preparation
- Airway
- Mechanical ventilation
- Perfusion
3. TRAUMA
29 scored questions
- Principles of management
- Neurologic
- Thoracic
- Abdominal
- Musculoskeletal
- Burn
- Maxillofacial and neck
4. MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
40 scored questions
- Neurologic
- Cardiovascular
- Pulmonary
- Abdominal
- Electrolyte disturbances
- Metabolic
- Endocrine
- Renal
- Hematology
- Infectious and communicable diseases
5. SPECIAL POPULATIONS
15 scored questions
- Obstetric patients
- Neonatal/pediatric
- Geriatric
- Bariatric
How to Register
The first thing you’ll need to do is create a BCEN account via their website. Then, you can use this account to select “CFRN” as your certification and create a new application.
When you submit your application, you’ll also need to submit the exam fee (which can take up to 4 weeks to process, so be sure to give yourself plenty of buffer).
Once your payment is processed, you’ll receive an email from BCEN confirming your eligibility and giving you information about scheduling your exam date. You’ll have 90 days after your application is approved to schedule your testing appointment.
CFRN Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
Exam Scores
The scoring method for the CFRN exam is a raw score directly based on your performance.
For example, if you get 115 questions right, your score will be 115. A passing score is a score of 108, so you must answer at least 72% of the questions correctly to pass.
You should receive your score report the day you complete the exam.
Retaking the Exam
In the unlikely event you fail the exam, you can retake it again! And again! And again! You can retake the CFRN as many times as you want. You must wait until at least 90 days after the initial testing date, and you may still need to pay to take it again, but you can retake it over and over again until you pass.
Here’s some good news: if your retest is within a year of your initial exam, you get a $180 discount!
FAQs
How hard is the CFRN exam?
The CFRN exam is a moderately difficult exam, but nothing you can’t pass with a good amount of studying beforehand.
How many questions are on the CFRN exam?
The exam contains 180 questions.
What is the time limit for the CFRN exam?
The exam is timed at 3 hours.
What is the passing score for the CFRN exam?
You’ll need a final score of at least 108 to pass.
How much does the CFRN exam cost?
The default testing fee is $380.