Our most popular way to recertify!
Our most popular method of recertification is recertification by contact hours. Contact hours can be earned by completing continuing education and professional activities. You will document those activities in your Contact Hours Tracker. Then, MSNCB will verify your contact hours.
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AMSN Member Fee |
Standard Fee |
|---|---|---|
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Recertify by contact hours |
$193 |
$303 |
All fees include a $79 non-refundable processing fee. Fees are subject to change anytime without notice.
NOTE: Recertify after expiration
You may apply for recertification by contact hours during your grace period as well, which lasts for one year after your CMSRN expires. Your contact hours must have been earned in the 5-year period immediately preceding the date you submit your recertification application.
Pass the exam again to get recertified.
You can choose to take the exam again to recertify if you haven’t earned enough contact hours during your accrual period to recertify by contact hours. The process of taking the exam to recertify is the same as the process to take the exam for initial certification. See Certify by Exam for information about the CMSRN exam.
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AMSN Member Fee |
Standard Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
Initial Exam |
$267 |
$394 |
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First-time Retake Exam |
$189 |
$315 |
Fees subject to change without notice.
A new way to recertify coming soon.
The Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board defines competency as having the knowledge, skills, attributes, or attitudes to practice safely, utilizing knowledge and experience, to guide nursing practice. Continuing competence is demonstrating proficiency and professional development in medical – surgical nursing practice and the advancement of the nurse from novice to expert level clinician.
In 2022, MSNCB put together a task force to explore different models that incorporate continuing competence into the recertification process. The competency models were then tested by a large group of CMSRN certified nurses. The results of the pilot study were evaluated, and the selected model provides evidence that a nurse who uses the new recertification process demonstrates lifelong learning and remains competent in all domain areas of the CMSRN certification.
CMSRN certificants will use a self-assessment tool provide by MSNCB that will indicate one’s competency level in each domain area of the CMSRN certification. The self-assessment will guide the assignment of targeted nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) hours which ensures the certificant is competent in all domain areas of the CMSRN.
Certification will be valid for a 3-year period. Fifty (50) professional development continuing education hours will be required for recertification. Professional development continuing education hours will consist of thirty (30) assigned NCPD hours from an accredited organization. At least one (1) NCPD will be about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The remaining twenty (20) hours are self-selected by the certificants and can be obtained through activities such as volunteering, writing a publication, preceptoring, and more.
Recertification by examination will no longer be an available option.
The MSNCB Board of Directors approves all changes to the recertification process. The three-year period established for recertification is based on the constant changes to med-surg practice, research, and information introduced in the med-surg specialty. Professional development continuing education hours should be acquired routinely so that certificants remain current with best practices and competent in each domain of the CMSRN certification.
MSNCB is currently in the process of creating a technology platform that will assist certificants through the recertification process with ease! A formal communication plan with further details about the process is being developed and the new recertification process will likely launch in a phased approach starting in 2024.
Twice the certifications.
If you hold a MEDSURG-BC from the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center (ANCC), you may be eligible to apply for the CMSRN without having to take the exam. You do not have to give up your MEDSURG-BC to also become CMSRN certified.
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AMSN Member Fee |
Standard Fee |
|---|---|---|
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Recertify by Transfer |
$193 |
$303 |
Fees subject to change without notice.
NOTE: Transfer after expiration
You may apply for certification by transfer during your grace period as well, which lasts for one year after your MEDSURG-BC expires. Your contact hours must have been earned in the 5-year period immediately preceding the date you submit your certification application
Stay connected, no matter your path.
CMSRNs who have retired within the current certification period but wish to stay connected with other CMSRNs may apply for Emeritus Status. The Emeritus designation is intended both to recognize CMSRN certified nurses' years of service caring for patients and their families, and to acknowledge their dedication to having been certified.
The option to apply for Emeritus Status is located within the recertification application.
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AMSN Members |
Non-members |
|---|---|---|
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Emeritus Status |
$75 |
$100 |
Fees subject to change without notice.
Pause your certification.
Have you had a “life happens” situation that prevented you from earning the necessary contact hours?
CMSRN credential holders unable to meet the requirements for recertification may apply for Inactive Status. Inactive Status is for one 3-year period only and is a one-time option. There are no exceptions or extensions to this time frame. You may not use the CMSRN credential during the 3-year period of inactivity.
The option to apply for Inactive Status is located within the recertification application.
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AMSN Member Fee |
Standard Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
Inactive Status |
$105 |
$165 |
Fees subject to change without notice.
