CFRN - Certified Flight Registered Nurse
About CFRN Certification
The Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) exam, administered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN), is a specialized certification for registered nurses who provide critical care during air medical transport. Earning the CFRN credential demonstrates expertise in managing the unique challenges of flight nursing, including patient care at altitude, in-flight emergencies, and the complexities of aeromedical environments. This certification highlights a commitment to excellence and validates the advanced knowledge and skills required to deliver high-quality care in the air.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
Exam Description | A comprehensive certification exam for nurses specializing in air medical and flight nursing care. |
Credentials Earned | Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN). |
Eligibility Requirements | Active RN license; Although not mandatory, BCEN recommends 2 years of experience as a flight nurse. |
Completion Time | 3 hours to complete exam. |
Subjects Covered in the Exam | Includes general principles of flight transport nursing practice, resucitation principles, trauma, medical emergencies, special populations, |
Number of Questions | 175 multiple-choice questions, with 150 scored questions and 25 unscored pretest questions. |
Exam Format | Multiple-choice, computer-based test. |
Exam Proctoring | Administered at testing centers or through Live Remote Proctoring (LRP). |
Recertification Details | Required every four years. Candidates must complete 100 continuing education (CE) contact hours or pass the CFRN exam again. If recertifying by CE, at least 75 hours must be clinical, and 50 must come from accredited sources such as BCEN, ANCC, or ENA. |
Pass/Fail Rates | Pass rate varies yearly, averaging around 62.6% in recent years. |
Difficulty Level | Hard. |
Study Material | BoardCerts Question Bank provides practice questions that follow the exam blueprint. |
BoardCerts CFRN Question Bank
BoardCerts offers a comprehensive question bank designed to support success on the Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) exam. The practice questions are fully aligned with the official CFRN exam content outline, ensuring thorough coverage of key concepts. Each question is carefully reviewed by experienced flight nurses and medical professionals to maintain accuracy and relevance. The question bank reflects the exam's complexity and includes detailed explanations and rationales to enhance understanding and build confidence.
CFRN Exam Content Outline
The Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) exam evaluates the essential knowledge and skills required for flight nursing practice. The exam consists of five primary content categories:
- General Principles of Flight Transport Nursing Practice (19%) – Covers transport physiology, scene\ operations management, communications, safety and survival, disaster management, professional issues, and systems management.
- Resuscitation Principles (25%) – Includes assessment and patient preparation, airway management, mechanical ventilation, and perfusion.
- Trauma (19%) – Focuses on principles of trauma management, neurologic trauma, thoracic trauma, abdominal trauma, musculoskeletal trauma, burns, and maxillofacial and neck trauma.
- Medical Emergencies (27%) – Encompasses neurologic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, abdominal, electrolyte, metabolic and endocrine, hematologic, renal, infectious, communicable, environmental, and toxicological emergencies.
- Special Populations (10%) – Addresses care for obstetric, neonatal/pediatric, geriatric, and bariatric patients.
For a comprehensive breakdown of the exam content, please refer to the CFRN Examination Content Outline provided by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) that can be found here: Preparation and Resources
Exam Categories: Percentage Distribution
CFRN Exam Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the CFRN exam, candidates must hold a current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license. While there is no mandatory minimum number of flight nursing practice hours required to sit for the exam, the BCEN recommends that candidates have at least two years of experience as a flight nurse. This experience ensures that candidates possess the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for the specialized field of flight nursing.
CFRN Application Process
Online Application:
Application Submission:
Scheduling the Exam:
Preparation:
CFRN Exam Dates and Costs
The Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) exam is available year-round, allowing candidates to apply and schedule their exam at their convenience.
For the most current information on exam fees and any available discounts, please refer to the official BCEN website.
CFRN Exam Format
Number of Questions: The Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) exam comprises 175 multiple-choice questions. Of these, 150 are scored, and 25 are unscored pretest questions used for future test development.
Exam Response Options: Multiple choice test.
Testing Options: Candidates can choose to take the exam at a PSI testing center or opt for Live Remote Proctoring (LRP), allowing for flexibility in exam location.
Time Allotted: Candidates have 3 hours to complete the exam.
Passing Score for CFRN
Difficulty Level: The CFRN exam is considered challenging, with annual pass rates averaging 62.6% over recent years.
Passing Score: Candidates must answer 108 of the 150 scored items correctly to achieve a passing score.
Exam Statistics: Detailed statistics, including annual pass rates and the number of candidates tested, are available on the BCEN's Exam Statistics webpage.
Score Reporting: Candidates receive their score report via email on the day they complete the exam, providing immediate feedback on their performance.
CFRN Exam Proctoring
The CFRN exam is administered by the BCEN in partnership with PSI Services. Candidates have the flexibility to choose between in-person testing and live remote proctoring:
- Live Remote Proctoring (LRP): This option allows you to take the exam from a location of your choice, such as your home or office. During the exam, a professional proctor monitors you in real-time via your computer's webcam and microphone to ensure the integrity of the testing process.
- In-Person Testing Centers: Alternatively, you can opt to take the exam at one of PSI's designated testing centers, which are available across various locations. This traditional method involves attending a physical location to complete the exam under supervised conditions.
Both options are designed to maintain the exam's security and integrity while providing flexibility to accommodate your preferences and circumstances.
CFRN Preparation and Resources
BoardCerts meticulously aligns the practice questions with the CFRN exam blueprint to ensure relevance and comprehensive coverage of the content a candidate will encounter on the test. The question bank is developed in coordination with this blueprint, incorporating the same authoritative resources that underpin the official exam. This approach provides the candidate with an effective and thorough preparation experience.
Topics on Exam: Familiarize yourself with the topics outlined in the CFRN exam blueprint, which can be found here: Preparation and Resources.
Review Courses: Consider enrolling in a review course, such as those offered by BCEN, to build a strong foundation in exam content.
Question Bank: Utilize a comprehensive resource like the BoardCerts CFRN Question Bank, which aligns with the exam blueprint and is reviewed by experienced flight nurses, providing extensive question practice essential for success. Additionally, it includes predictor exams to help gauge your exam readiness.
CFRN Certification Renewal
The CFRN certification is valid for four years. To renew your certification, you must complete the following steps:
- Continuing Education (CE) Hours: Earn 100 contact hours of continuing education within the four-year certification period. At least 75 hours must focus on clinical content relevant to flight nursing, while up to 25 hours may cover non-clinical topics. Additionally, a minimum of 50 contact hours must come from accredited sources, such as BCEN Learn, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA), the Air and Surface Transport Nurses Association (ASTNA), and state nursing associations or boards of nursing.
- Examination: Candidates may also recertify by passing the exam again.
For detailed information on the renewal process and requirements, visit BCEN's Recertification webpage.
CFRN Practice Questions
- Practicing sample questions is a crucial part of CFRN exam preparation, helping you become familiar with the exam format, question style, and key content areas. The BoardCerts CFRN Question Bank offers high-quality, exam-focused sample questions that align with the CFRN exam blueprint, ensuring you are well-prepared and confident on test day.
- Access Sample Questions: Find sample questions from the BoardCerts question bank here. These questions are crafted to reflect the level of application and difficulty found on the CFRN exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
