Prep for CNOR FAQs

AORN offers online and virtual live formats of the Prep for CNOR course.

Visit our Computer Specifications for Online Learning web page for more information. If you have other questions about Prep for CNOR Live, please email [email protected].

The course is updated every year. In addition, as guidelines are developed or revised, we update the course content.

After you complete the course and submit your evaluation, you can print your certificate from the aorn.org website.

  • We recommend that you have access to the latest edition of two publications: Alexander's Care of the Patient in Surgery and Berry and Kohn's Operating Room Technique.
  • Use a current medical/surgical nursing textbook to review acute and chronic disease processes that require surgical interventions and common laboratory blood testing values including arterial blood gas (ABG) interpretation.
  • Use a scholarly website or current pharmacy textbook to review all medications.

The CNOR® exam tests you on your knowledge and skills that are required to competently practice in the perioperative clinical environment.

No. The questions in our review course are based on the specific content that we provide. Our questions are challenging; they are fact and scenario-based. The review course contains content that our nurses think you need to know in order to pass the CNOR® exam.

It is also important to note that the questions on the CNOR® exam are not comparable to the post-test questions in the studies from the AORN Journal. Rather, the questions test your ability to think critically and pull knowledge together from many sources.

You should give yourself anywhere from 12–20 weeks to fully prepare yourself for success.

Yes, the CNOR® exam should not be taken lightly. The Virtual  Prep for CNOR Live review course will help you identify your knowledge gaps and areas of strength and provide a study plan for you to individualize after you attend the weekend course.

Yes, students receive 18 CH (and up to 18.0 hours of AEUs) after completion of the Prep for CNOR Online course and course evaluation and 18 CH upon completion of the Prep for CNOR Virtual Live class and course evaluation.

Yes, once you register for the online course or attend the virtual portion of the live course, an email will be sent to you with instructions how to access eGuidelines+ which is the online AORN Guidelines for Perioperative Practice. This bonus access is available for 6 months from the time you first launch the course. 

All perioperative RNs who are preparing to take the CNOR® exam and RNs interested in a review of current evidence-based perioperative nursing practices are welcome to register and attend the Prep for CNOR Virtual Live course.

AORN does not administer the CNOR® exam. CCI administers the exam. Please visit their website at www.cc-institute.org for the latest information regarding the exam, registration, and test dates, as well as resources for your success.

The Virtual Prep for CNOR Live program and Prep for CNOR Online program are designed strictly to be used as review and preparation for the CNOR® exam. CNOR® is a registered trademark of the Competency and Credentialing Institute (CCI). All rights reserved. CCI administers the CNOR® exam. Candidates for the CNOR® exam must meet the eligibility requirements as defined by CCI.