MEDSURG-BC & CMSRN - Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification
About MEDSURG-BC Certification
The MEDSURG-BC (Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification), offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the CMSRN (Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse), provided by the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB), are two prestigious credentials that validate a nurse’s expertise in medical-surgical nursing.
Both certifications recognize advanced knowledge and skills essential for providing quality patient care in a wide range of medical-surgical settings. They signify a nurse's dedication to high standards in medical-surgical care, ensuring patients receive competent, evidence-based treatment.
To help you compare both exams side by side, the table below provides a clear breakdown of their key differences and similarities. This will allow you to evaluate which certification aligns best with your career goals and study needs.
| Category | MEDSURG-BC | CMSRN |
|---|---|---|
Exam Description | Validates broad knowledge in medical-surgical nursing, including leadership, education, and clinical expertise. | Focuses on clinical excellence in direct patient care for medical-surgical nursing. |
Credentials Earned | MEDSURG-BC (Medical-Surgical Board Certified). | CMSRN (Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse). |
Eligibility Requirements | Active RN license, at least 2 years of practice, and 2,000 hours of medical-surgical nursing experience within the last 3 years. | Active RN license, at least 2 years of RN experience, and either 2,000 hours of medical-surgical nursing experience within the last 3 years or a graduate degree in nursing. |
Completion Time | 3 hours to complete exam. | 3 hours to complete exam. |
Subjects Covered in the Exam | Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation, Professional Role. | Assessment/Diagnosis, Planning/Implementation, Evaluation, Health Promotion, Professional Roles, System-Based Practice, Evidence-Based Practice. |
Number of Questions | 150 multiple-choice questions, along with alternative item formats such as multiple response, drag-and-drop, and hotspot questions with 125 scored 25 unscored pretest questions. | 150 multiple-choice questions, with 125 scored and 25 unscored pretest questions. |
Exam Format | Multiple-choice, computer-based test. | Multiple-choice, computer-based test. |
Exam Proctoring | Administered at Prometric testing centers. | Administered at Prometric testing centers or through Live Remote Proctoring (LRP). |
Recertification Details | Certification is valid for five years, requiring renewal before expiration to maintain the credential. Candidates can renew by completing 75 continuing education (CE) hours in medical-surgical nursing or by retaking the certification exam. However, there is no grace period, meaning candidates must apply before their certification expires to avoid losing their credential. | Certification is valid for five years, with renewal options that include completing 90 CE hours related to medical-surgical nursing or retaking the exam. CMSRN offers a 90-day grace period after expiration, allowing nurses additional time to renew with an extra late fee if they miss the initial deadline. |
Pass/Fail Rates | Pass rate approximately 78%. | Pass rate approximately 73%. |
Difficulty Level | Hard. | Hard. |
Study Material | BoardCerts MEDSURG-BC & CMSRN Question Bank provides practice questions that follow the exam blueprint. | BoardCerts MEDSURG-BC & CMSRN Question Bank provides practice questions that follow the exam blueprint. |
BoardCerts MEDSURG-BC & CMSRN Certification Question Bank
BoardCerts offers a comprehensive question bank tailored to help you excel in the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Exams, including the MEDSURG-BC and CMSRN certifications. With BoardCerts practice questions and multiple predictor exams, our content is fully aligned with the exam blueprints for both certifications. Each question is meticulously reviewed by certified nurses and educators, ensuring accuracy and relevance. Designed to match the rigor of the actual exams, the question bank includes detailed rationales and explanations to deepen your understanding and maximize your success.
The MEDSURG and CMSRN question bank from BoardCerts is designed to provide a seamless study experience for those preparing for either exam. Since many nurses are unsure which certification to pursue until closer to their exam date, we’ve combined both exam blueprints into a single, comprehensive question bank. This ensures that you’re fully prepared, no matter which certification path you choose. With expertly crafted questions covering all key topics from both exams, you can study with confidence, knowing that you’re gaining the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in either the MEDSURG-BC or CMSRN certification.
MEDSURG-BC & CMSRN Exam Content Outline
MEDSURG-BC
The MEDSURG-BC exam evaluates a nurse's proficiency in delivering comprehensive care to adult patients with a wide range of medical conditions. The exam content is structured into three primary domains:
- Assessment and Diagnosis (39%): Evaluates the nurse's ability to conduct thorough patient assessments, identify health problems, and formulate accurate nursing diagnoses.
- Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation (40%): Assesses the nurse's competence in developing individualized care plans, executing appropriate interventions, and evaluating patient outcomes to ensure effective care delivery.
- Professional Role (21%): Covers professional responsibilities, ethical considerations, and the importance of continuous professional development.
MEDSURG-BC
CMSRN
The CMSRN exam evaluates a nurse’s proficiency in providing medical-surgical nursing care across various settings. The exam content is structured into five primary domains:
- Patient/Care Management (32%): Focuses on assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care to manage acute and chronic conditions.
- Holistic Patient Care (15%): Emphasizes the recognition and management of physical, emotional, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual needs of patients.
- Elements of Interprofessional Care (17%): Covers collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, care coordination, and effective communication for quality and continuity of care.
- Professional Concepts (15%): Addresses ethical and legal responsibilities, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and professional development.
- Nursing Teamwork and Collaboration (21%): Evaluates effective teamwork, communication, conflict resolution, and fostering a positive work environment to enhance patient outcomes.
CMSRN
MEDSURG-BC & CMSRN Exam Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the MEDSURG-BC exam, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Licensure: Hold a current, active Registered Nurse (RN) license in a U.S. state or territory or the legally recognized equivalent in another country.
- Experience: Have at least two years of full-time practice as a registered nurse.
- Clinical Practice: Complete a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice in medical-surgical nursing within the last three years.
- Continuing Education: Obtain 30 hours of continuing education in medical-surgical nursing within the past three years.
To be eligible for the CMSRN exam, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Licensure: Hold a current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in the United States, its territories, or Canada. International nurses may also apply under specific guidelines.
- Clinical Practice: Complete at least 2,000 hours of practice in a medical-surgical setting within the past three years, which may include roles as a clinical nurse, manager, or educator.
- Experience: While not required, having at least two years of experience in a medical-surgical setting is recommended before taking the exam.
MEDSURG-BC & CMSRN Application Process
| Topic | MEDSURG-BC | CMSRN |
|---|---|---|
Online Application | Available through the ANCC website. | Available through the MSNCB website. |
Application Submission | Complete the online application by providing the required personal and professional information. Ensure all eligibility criteria are met before submission. | Complete the online application by providing the required personal and professional information. Ensure all eligibility criteria are met before submission. |
Scheduling the Exam | Upon approval, you will receive an eligibility confirmation with instructions on scheduling your MEDSURG-BC exam. You must schedule your exam within the designated 90-day window period. You can take the exam at a designated Prometric testing center to complete the test from a location of your choice. | Upon approval, you will receive an eligibility confirmation with instructions on scheduling your CMSRN exam. You must schedule and take your exam within the designated 90-day window period. You can choose to take the exam at a designated Prometric testing center or opt for Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) to complete the test from a location of your choice. |
Preparation Resources | Utilize the BoardCerts MEDSURG-BC & CMSRN Question Bank to prepare effectively. Our question bank aligns closely with the exam blueprint and mirrors the difficulty level of the actual test, providing a comprehensive resource to enhance your readiness. | Utilize the BoardCerts MEDSURG-BC & CMSRN Question Bank to prepare effectively. Our question bank aligns closely with the exam blueprint and mirrors the difficulty level of the actual test, providing a comprehensive resource to enhance your readiness. |
MEDSURG-BC & CMSRN Exam Date and Costs
The Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification (MEDSURG-BC) and Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) exams are available year-round, allowing candidates to apply at any time without specific application windows.
For the most current information on exam fees and scheduling options, please refer to the ANCC (for MEDSURG-BC) or MSNCB (for CMSRN) official websites.
MEDSURG-BC & CMSRN Exam Format
Number of Questions: Both the MEDSURG-BC and CMSRN exams comprise 150 questions, including 125 scored questions and 25 unscored pretest questions.
Exam Format: All questions are multiple-choice, designed to assess the candidate's knowledge and skills in medical-surgical nursing.
Testing Options: Candidates must to take the MEDSURG-BC exam at designated Prometric testing centers, selecting a time and date that best fits their schedule. Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) is not available for this exam. For CMSRN candidates, the exam can be taken at Prometric testing centers, with the additional option of a remote-proctored exam, allowing for greater convenience and flexibility.
Time Allotted: Examinees are given 3 hours to complete the exam.
Passing Score for MEDSURG-BC & CMSRN
Difficulty Level: The MEDSURG-BC and CMSRN exams are challenging certifications that assess a wide range of complex medical-surgical nursing topics. The CMSRN exam typically has an annual pass rate of around 73%, while the MEDSURG-BC exam boasts a slightly higher pass rate, approximately 78%.
Passing Score: To achieve the MEDSURG-BC, candidates must attain a minimum scaled score of 350 out of a possible 500. The results are either pass or fail. If you fail, your score report will have diagnostic information highlighting your strengths and weaknesses for each content area of the test. For CMSRN, the candidate requires a standard score of 95, equivalent to approximately 71% correct answers to pass.
Exam Statistics: Detailed statistics, including annual pass rates and the number of candidates tested, are available on the ANCC's Exam Statistics webpage for the MEDSURG-BC exam and on the MSNCB's Exam Statistics webpage for the CMSRN exam.
Score Reporting: For MEDSURG-BC, candidates receive their results immediately online via the Prometric Report Validation Portal upon completing the exam. For CMSRN, candidates receive their pass or fail result immediately after finishing the exam. A score report will be sent within 24 hours, and the exam score will be officially recorded within five days.
MEDSURG-BC & CMSRN Exam Proctoring
The MEDSURG-BC and CMSRN certification exams are administered through Prometric, offering candidates two flexible testing options:
- Live Remote Proctoring (LRP): This option allows candidates to take the exam from a location of their choice, such as home or office. A professional proctor monitors the exam in real-time via webcam and microphone to ensure the integrity of the testing process. LRP is only available for CMSRN.
- In-Person Testing Centers: Candidates can choose to take the exam at a designated Prometric testing center. This traditional option provides a controlled testing environment with on-site supervision.
Both options are designed to maintain exam security while offering flexibility to meet individual candidate needs.
MEDSURG-BC & CMSRN Preparation and Resources
At BoardCerts, the exam blueprints for the MEDSURG-BC and CMSRN certifications are closely followed to ensure that practice questions remain relevant and aligned with the content covered in these exams. Question banks are developed based on detailed content outlines and validated reference materials. This approach ensures that the resources provided are grounded in authoritative sources, offering a comprehensive and effective preparation experience.
Topics on the Exam: Familiarize yourself with the topics outlined in the MEDSURG-BC and CMSRN exam blueprints, which can be found here: Preparation and Resources MEDSURG-BC.
Review Courses: Enroll in comprehensive review courses like the ones offered by ANCC (for MEDSURG-BC) or MSNCB (for CMSRN) to build a strong foundation.
Question Bank: Use the BoardCerts MEDSURG-BC and CMSRN Question Banks, which feature hundreds of questions aligned with the exam blueprint. Our question banks are reviewed by certified nurses and clinical experts, providing essential practice and insight.
MEDSURG-BC & CMSRN Certification Renewal
The MEDSURG-BC and CMSRN certifications are valid for five years. To renew certification, candidates must complete specific requirements designed to demonstrate continued competency in medical surgical nursing.
MEDSURG-BC
- Continuing Education: Candidates must complete 75 continuing education (CE) hours in their certification specialty within the 5-year certification period.
- Renewal Categories: In addition to the CE hours, candidates must complete at least one of the following eight professional development activities: These categories include academic credits, presentations, quality improvement projects, preceptor hours, practice hours, professional service, publications, or retesting.
For complete details on the renewal process, visit the official ANCC renewal page: ANCC Renewal Information.
CMSRN
Recertify by Contact Hours - The most popular method of recertification is recertification by contact hours. Contact hours can be earned by completing continuing education and professional activities.
- Practice Hours: Accumulate 1,000 hours of medical-surgical nursing practice during the five-year certification period. Practice hours can include direct patient care, case management, nursing administration, education, or research.
- Contact Hours: A total of 90 verified contact hours must be completed within the past five years, with at least 68 hours focused on medical-surgical nursing. The remaining 22 hours may be related to professional development.
- Exam Option: If preferred, candidates may choose to renew their certification by retaking and passing the CMSRN exam.
Recertify by Exam - Pass the exam again to get recertified.
- Contact Hours: Candidates must have worked 2,000 practice hours in a medical-surgical setting in the past 3 years. Practice may be as a clinical nurse, as a manager, or as an educator.
For the most up-to-date renewal information, visit the official MSNCB renewal page: MSNCB Renewal Information.
MEDSURG-BC & CMSRN Practice Questions
Practicing sample questions is a crucial part of MEDSURG-BC and CMSRN exam preparation, helping you become familiar with the exam format, question style, and key content areas. The BoardCerts MEDSURG-BC & CMSRN Question Bank offers high-quality, exam-focused sample questions that align with the exams’ 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 MEDSURG-BC and CMSRN exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
